Description: Discusses key issues to improve the retirement system in the U.S. in a primarily defined contribution environment. Focuses on age at retirement, how people retire, and covering risks including disability and longevity risk. Some ideas are feasible within current environment and some require policy change.

Description: The article endorses broader use of lifetime income in DC plans. It explains why the use of DB plans will continue to decline. The article points out that plans sponsors will not willingly take on additional ERISA fiduciary exposure. The article endorses three regulatory reforms that would increase the use of lifetime income in DC plans. 1. A robust annuity issuer safe harbor that would free employers from fiduciary exposure for putting an annuity provider on the DC platform. 2. A requirement that a plan offer a lifetime income option to qualify for the 404(c) safe harbor. 3. A revision to 404(c) to allow plan sponsors to allocate part or all of the employer match to lifetime income.

Description: Employers who offer financial wellness programs that help younger employees plan for major life events could see improved employee retirement preparedness.