Transforming Employee Retirement Outcomes with Smart 401(k) Design Choices
Release Date: 09/17/2024
The Future of Investing: Adapting to a New Market Reality
401(k) Roundtable
The future of investing isn't just about numbers—it's about embracing a seismic shift in how markets, macro forces, and innovation like AI reshape the landscape. In this episode, Jean Boivin of BlackRock Investment Institute and Greg Hamilton, CIO of a Financial Holding Corporation, reveal how a “fundamentally different” macro environment is transforming asset allocation, risk management, and the very fabric of portfolios. They unpack the five mega forces driving this change, from AI and energy transition to geopolitical fragmentation, and explain why traditional strategic asset...
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Behind the Scenes: How AI Is Transforming Retirement Plans
401(k) Roundtable
AI is transforming the future of retirement planning — but what does that really mean for plan sponsors and participants today? In a landscape where AI capabilities evolve faster than regulations can keep up, how can financial services stay responsible without falling behind? Rick Unser hosts industry experts Nikki Susman and Brian Cosmano to unveil how AI is already reshaping every facet of retirement plans — from onboarding and fraud detection to personalized participant advice and real-time action. You’ll discover how leading firms are using AI to make security smarter, streamline...
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Behind the Curtain on Mergers & Acquisitions
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser goes behind the curtain on mergers and acquisitions with two seasoned leaders who live this work every day. Casey Craig, Executive Vice President and Head of the Large, Mega, NfP, and PEO Markets at Empower, and April Bettencourt, Vice President of Global Employee Benefits at VSP Vision, share real‑world insights on M&A across financial services and healthcare. Together, they explore why M&A has become such a powerful growth strategy, how organizations think beyond scale to focus on clients and participants, and what can drive...
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Has the Moment for Retirement Income Finally Arrived?
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser dives into one of the most talked‑about—and most challenging—topics in retirement: turning savings into sustainable income. Rick is joined by Fiona Greig, Global Head of Investor Research and Policy at Vanguard, and Eric Jackson, Benefit Plan Investment Strategist at Chevron, for a candid discussion on why retirement income has lagged behind accumulation and why the focus on solving it continues to grow. The conversation explores the shift from pensions to 401(k)s, the role of behavior and choice architecture, and why...
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The Resilient Market: What 2025 Taught Us About Long-Term Investing
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser welcomes Meera Pandit, Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, to unpack the economic story of 2025 and what it means for retirement plans. From market resilience in the face of geopolitical unrest and sticky inflation to the rise of AI-driven investing and concentrated equity markets, Meera shares her perspective on how long-term investors, especially 401(k) participants, can navigate what’s next. You’ll hear insights on diversification, consumer sentiment, global opportunities, and the importance of staying...
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Behavioral Finance Meets 401(k): What the Data Says About Defaults
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of the 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by John Beshears, Professor at Harvard Business School, and Brad Champagne, VP of Human Resources at Mission Linen Supply, to explore how behavioral finance and thoughtful plan design are reshaping retirement outcomes. They reflect on a decade of data since Mission Linen revamped its 401(k) defaults and discuss the impact of auto-enrollment, investment choices, and employee engagement. The conversation also dives into emerging ideas around emergency savings, personalized defaults, and how employers can better support financial...
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Rethinking Retirement: Is the Crisis as Bad as We Think?
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Andrew Biggs, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Mina Biggs, Chief People Officer at Hanson Professional Services. Together, they unpack the so-called “retirement crisis,” exploring generational attitudes toward saving, the evolving structure of retirement plans, and how government policies like the SECURE Act 2.0 aim to move the needle. From the role of Social Security to the importance of workplace financial education, this episode offers practical insight for plan sponsors, HR leaders, and anyone...
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Engage, Educate, Evolve: Building Better 401(k) Plans for Today’s Workforce
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode, Rick Unser is joined by Robert Fortin from Amtrak and Kristina Cox from Recology — two HR leaders with deep experience in optimizing employee benefits. They discuss the intricacies of 401(k) plans, particularly focusing on the differences between union and non-union benefits, decision-making processes in benefits offerings, and the importance of employee engagement. They explore the implications of Secure 2.0, the challenges of communicating total rewards to employees, and the future of retirement income options. The discussion emphasizes the need for effective...
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Predicting Market Pricing Perfection: Pain or Performance?
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Charlie Bilello, Chief Market Strategist at Creative Planning. Known for The Week in Charts on YouTube and as co-host of the Signal or Noise? podcast with Peter Mallouk, Charlie brings a data-driven perspective to today’s markets. The conversation covers market volatility, bear market patterns, and the enduring importance of diversification. They also explore the performance of international vs. U.S. stocks, the strength of the dollar, interest rates, and recent economic policy shifts. A timely and insightful episode for anyone...
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The Future of Private Equity: Growth, Innovation & Investor Access
401(k) Roundtable
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable™, Rick Unser speaks with Jack Weingart, Chief Financial Officer of TPG, a leading global private equity firm. They examine how macroeconomic shifts, technological advancements like AI, and a declining number of public companies are shaping private equity investment strategies. The discussion also touches on the role of institutional investors and the growing interest in making private equity accessible through workplace retirement plans. Jack offers a thoughtful perspective on long-term capital deployment and the future of private markets.
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The views and opinions shared by Mr. Unser and his guests are their own and not necessarily those of Creative Planning, LLC. This show is designed to be informational in nature, and does not constitute investment, tax or legal advice. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, including those discussed on the show, will be profitable, or equal any historical performance.