DC Lens
Our flagship series of DC market insights and news updates written exclusively for defined contribution practitioners
2024
Q4: This quarter, we explore the implications of the Supreme Court's overturning of the Chevron Deference, expanded cyber guidance from the Department of Labor, and plan designs that can help drive participation and savings rates.
Q3: This quarter, we explore the latest developments in ESG guidelines and legal landscape, delve into the nuances of the DOL Fiduciary Rule, analyze the state of retirement readiness, and underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity in the wake of recent cyberattacks.
Q2: This quarter, we explore the challenges to climate agendas, scrutinize new TDFs, discuss legislative updates including the status of CITs in 403(b) plans and the Fiduciary Rule, and assess the state of retirement readiness and options for employees leaving their employers.
Q1: This quarter, we cover several key topics including ESG investing, a summary of Q4'23 Litigation and Legislative updates, details about the DOL Fiduciary Rule, insights on the SECURE Act 2.0, and strategies for age-specific retirement planning.
2023
Q4: This quarter, we provide an update on ESG investing, a summary of Q3'23 litigation, administrative and legislative updates, details about the SECURE Act 2.0, and strategies for retirement planning for longer life spans.
Q3: We bring you up to speed on the ESG Rule, litigation developments, the DOL’s stance on the rollover rule, the state of SECURE Act 2.0 and the implications of high interest rates.
Q2: We offer an ESG update, a summary of first-quarter litigation, a progress report on SECURE Act 2.0 and an in-depth look at what an aging demographic means in the US.
Q1: This quarter, we provide an ESG update, a summary of key litigation to inform you on rulings, administrative details affecting the DC landscape, what you need to know about SECURE Act 2.0 and the case for MEPs and PEPs.
2022
Q4: ESG interest remains high; litigation and legislative activity persist; cybersecurity moves to the fore; and the desire for alternatives grows.
Q3: We explore the most critical issues affecting the defined contribution space: ESG; relevant legal proceedings; legislative progress toward retirement security; lifetime income illustrations, and crypto’s role in retirement plans.
Q2: This quarter, we look at the benefits of implementing ESG in retirement portfolios, revisit US DC litigation and question if there is a place for cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans.
Q1: We review US retirement assets which saw steady growth in 2021 as did investor and regulator interest in ESG. We also look at SCOTUS decisions and new cases which could change retirement litigation.
2021
Q4: We explore the DOL proposed rule to clarify an ESG standard for retirement plans, give litigation, legislative and cyber security updates, and more.
Q3: Litigation activity heats up, SECURE Act 2.0 is the talk of the town, and we provide our key milestones for DC practitioners as many firm dates have been amended, adjusted and/or extended.
Q2: This quarter, we ask are data breach claims futile and who will lead the regulation of ESG investing between the DOL & SEC? We also take a look at retirement by the numbers during COVID.
Q1: This quarter, we review 2020 including COVID and the “Great Shutdown”, revisit US DC litigations and examine DOL and IRS updates.
2020
Q4: This quarter, we visit the DOL/ESG discussion in the wake of the latest ruling, the utility of Stable Value funds, longevity calculations and more.
Q3: This quarter, we look Reg BI post-effective date, evaluate the feasibility of Private Equity DC adoption, the ESG-in-DC debate, and privacy & cyber security risks. We have also updated the litigation activity impacting the DC landscape.
Q2: This quarter, we provide an update on our DC industry litigations coverage, as well as look at Plan Sponsor trends across ESG, decumulation, Reg BI and the recently enacted CARES Act.
Q1: This quarter, our newsletter focuses on US DC litigations that may impact the industry by and large, and we also examine the IRS COLA guidelines as well as the SECs recent target-date fund alerts.