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.

In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Mike Arone, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Global Advisors. Together, they break down key insights from Q1 2025, including the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainty, current economic indicators, and the potential risks facing investors. The conversation also explores how international markets are performing relative to the U.S., as well as emerging trends in capital allocation and investment strategy — particularly in the context of retirement planning.

Rick and Mike take a closer look at the evolving role of private equity in retirement portfolios, the liquidity challenges that come with it, and the importance of real assets in building diversified long-term strategies. They also touch on recent shifts in investor behavior amid market volatility and reinforce the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to investing.

In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Todd Solomon, ERISA Attorney and partner at McDermott Will, & Emery Law Firm, for a timely conversation on the evolving fiduciary landscape. They explore trends in ERISA litigation, the impact of the current administration on the Department of Labor, and the shifting expectations around fiduciary duties.

Key topics include the balance between duty of loyalty and prudence, the role of participant demographics in plan decisions, and the challenges plan sponsors face in weighing cost versus value—especially when selecting investments like target date funds. Todd and Rick also highlight the importance of thoughtful documentation, proactive committee engagement, and innovative strategies to improve participant outcomes in today's complex regulatory environment.

In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser and Alison Cohen, ERISA Attorney and Partner at Ferenczy Benefits Law Center, explore nondiscrimination testing in retirement plans, focusing on long-term part-time employees and new Roth contribution guidelines. They discuss the mega backdoor Roth risks, capping highly compensated employee deferrals, student loan matching, and compliance challenges for controlled groups during mergers. The conversation also covers automatic enrollment rules and audit implications based on new rules.

For more insights, visit Ferenczy Benefits Law Center's resources and articles:

https://ferenczylaw.com/read-what-we-write-2/