Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Addressing the Myths and Considering the Benefits
of Private Assets to Retirement Income

Two new CRI reports examine the role of private assets in defined contribution retirement plans. The first report addresses three common myths about private assets in defined contribution (DC) retirement plans — limited liquidity, lack of excess returns, and high fees — that hinder their broader adoption by DC retirement plans. The second report is a follow-up to previous CRI research, and shows how relatively modest exposures to real assets, private credit, and private equity can improve retirement income outcomes by 7% to 8% for workers with disrupted savings patterns, such as caregivers, lower-income workers, and job hoppers. This research suggests policymakers should support the ability of plan sponsors to consider all tools, including private market allocations, to improve retirement income outcomes for millions of American workers.

Speakers:

• Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Center for Retirement Initiatives
• Deb Boyden, Head of U.S. Defined Contribution, Schroders
• Will Hansen, Chief Government Affairs Officers, American Retirement Association
• David O’Meara, Head of DC Investment Strategy, WTW
• Kevin Walsh, Principal, Groom Law Group

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Why Do Small Businesses Rarely Claim Tax Credits
for Offering Retirement Plans?

In recent decades, U.S. policymakers have introduced various incentives to expand retirement plan coverage among small businesses, including the Section 45E tax credit that subsidizes the costs of starting and administering employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s. Originally enacted in the early 2000s and substantially expanded through the SECURE Acts of 2019 and 2022, this credit aims to lower cost barriers for smaller firms. However, despite these expansions, fewer than 6% of eligible firms claim the credit. This latest CRI working paper, cross-published by NBER, uses detailed data from the IRS and other sources to examine how firms respond to these tax incentives, finding that credit take-up depends heavily on firm owner characteristics and their tax preparers. As policymakers continue to consider such tax incentives, they need to better understand how these incentives are perceived and whether they are used by their intended beneficiaries.

Speakers:

• Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Center for Retirement Initiatives
• Adam Bloomfield, Non-Resident Scholar, Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives
• Kendra Isaacson, Principal, Mindset
• Sita Slavov, Professor, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Can PEPs Transform the Retirement Landscape?
A Look at Current Progress and Future Direction

Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) had accumulated $9.41 billion in assets and surpassed 1 million participants as of December 2023, according to publicly available filings in the U.S. Department of Labor’s EFAST 5500 Database. Approximately 39,000 employers had adopted a PEP by the end of 2023.

On July 29, 2025. the U.S. Department of Labor published a Request for Information (RFI) that solicits information about prevailing PEP market practices, and the need for additional regulatory guidance. The idea behind PEPs sounds simple: Employers pool their resources to leverage collective buying power, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. However, in practice, PEPs vary widely, depending on the provider’s focus. Understanding these variations is crucial — choosing a PEP that aligns with a company’s needs and goals requires careful consideration of both the company’s size and its workforce dynamics.  Join us for a discussion about the current PEP market landscape, lessons learned, and future policy considerations.

Speakers:

• Angela Antonelli, Research Professor and Executive Director, Center for Retirement Initiatives
• Scott Carroll, Senior Consultant, Gallagher
• Michael Kreps, Principal, Groom Law Group