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by Rick Unser
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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 sellers to the table. The conversation dives into culture, due diligence, and integration—especially when it comes to people, benefits, and 401(k) plans. From navigating multiple plan structures to communicating change transparently, this episode highlights practical considerations for employers, HR leaders, and retirement professionals working through—or preparing for—M&A.
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 "retirement income" is less about products and more about holistic solutions. From in‑plan versus out‑of‑plan strategies and the promise—and pitfalls—of annuities to the growing role of technology, advice, and even generative AI, this episode shares insights relevant for plan sponsors, advisors, and anyone thinking about the next chapter after saving stops and spending begins.
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 disciplined in uncertain times. Link to JPMorgan's "Guide to the Market": Guide to the Markets Q1 2026
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 wellness. Whether you're in HR, finance, or advising retirement plans, this episode offers actionable insight on what's working—and what's next.
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 navigating today's retirement landscape. The Real Retirement Crisis: Why (Almost) Everything You Know About the US Retirement System Is Wrong
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 communication, understanding employee needs, and adapting benefits to meet those needs while navigating regulatory changes.
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 trying to make sense of today's investment landscape.
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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401(k) Roundtable takes you behind the scenes for a look at what it takes to run a successful retirement plan. A podcast designed for retirement plan sponsors, fiduciaries and members of retirement plan committees, each episode features a guest expert to engage in an informative conversation with host and industry veteran Rick Unser. Get the perspectives and insights you need to make more informed decisions to benefit your plan, employees and business.
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