Best Decumulation Podcasts (2025)

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S6 Ep3: DC Decumulation: The nastiest, hardest problem in finance? 24:13

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1d ago24:13

24:13

In this episode of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod, Chris Brown is joined by Kathryn Fleming from Hymans Robertson and Helen Woodford to explore the topic of DC decumulation from multiple perspectives - including those of members, trustees, employers and providers, making this a valuable listen for anyone involved in DC pension saving. The discussio…

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Challenging Common Beliefs About Automated Plan Features with Principal Financial Group’s Marc Howell and Felix Okwaning 23:20

12d ago23:20

23:20

Automated plan features in 401(k)s such as auto-enrollment and auto-escalation have become essential tools for boosting employee participation and contribution levels. Marc Howell and Felix Okwaning, who are both Managing Directors—Enhanced Plan Design at Principal Financial GroupⓇ, share some compelling new research showing employees not only stay…

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S6 Ep2: AI in Pensions: Practical Insights for Trustees 16:13

16d ago16:13

16:13

In this episode of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod, Chris Brown and Callum Duckmanton discuss how AI is shaping the future of pensions. They cover trustees’ legal duties, the benefits and risks of using AI, practical steps for implementation, and insights from a recent industry event. A must listen for trustees and pensions professionals looking to …

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Managing Market Value Adjustments with Lincoln Financial’s Bill McLaren 9:35

26d ago9:35

9:35

In this episode of the 401(k) Specialist Podcast, we dive into the complex world of Market Value Adjustments (MVAs)—what they are, when they’re triggered, how they’re calculated, and why they matter. Bill McLaren, Stable Value Business Leader for the Retirement Plan Services Business at Lincoln Financial, joins us to explain why MVAs can catch plan…

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S6 Ep1: Benefit and documentation audits – what are they and why consider them? 24:10

30d ago24:10

24:10

Regular host Chris Brown (Partner) chats with Richard Pettit (Partner) and Elena O’Leary (Senior Associate) from Burges Salmon’s Pensions & Lifetime Savings Team about benefit and documentation audits – how they can supplement benefit specifications and why trustees and employers of DB Schemes might want to consider one.…

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Private Equity’s Potential to Help 401(k) Participants with Maura Reilly Kennedy and Michelle Rappa 16:11

1M ago16:11

16:11

Even with regulatory barriers to including alternative assets such as private equity in defined contribution plans being removed by the Trump administration, many advisors, plan sponsors and fiduciaries are understandably hesitant to jump in. To get a better idea of what private equity investments can bring to the table, we speak with Maura Reilly …

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Stable Value Funds: Balancing Safety and Opportunity with Lincoln Financial’s Matt Condos 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

Stable value funds are a staple in many 401(k) plans, offering principal protection and steady returns by investing in high-quality bonds. They’re particularly popular with participants nearing retirement who want to reduce market risk while still earning a competitive yield. But recent market conditions and interest rate changes have raised new co…

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Guided retirement and helping savers make the right decisions 23:26

2M ago23:26

23:26

Patrick Coyne, Interim Director of Pensions Reform at TPR, and Nike Trost, the FCA’s Head of Department - Asset Management and Pensions Policy, discuss how trustees can help ensure guided retirement makes a difference to savers by developing a much deeper understanding of the diverse needs and profiles within their scheme membership.…

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Defining Value Creation in the Decumulation Phase with Allianz Life's Danielle Kelso 14:38

3M ago14:38

14:38

As retirement plan participants transition from the accumulation phase to decumulation, the focus moves from building wealth to ensuring sustainable income—what’s also known as "value creation." Danielle Kelso, Senior Institutional Solutions Consultant at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to shed…

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Previewing SWAY | LIVE 2025 with Sheri Fitts 15:13

4M ago15:13

15:13

The third edition of the retirement industry’s least traditional conference is coming up Aug. 3–5 in Milwaukee, Wis. To get the low-down, we spoke with organizer Sheri Fitts, a well-known expert in personal branding for financial advisors and 401(k) marketing. Audio here Sheri explains what sets the conference apart. It focuses on helping attendees…

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Knut A. Rostad: Why EBSA Crypto Guidance Reversal is 'Absolutely Awful Decision' 9:09

5M ago9:09

9:09

Recently the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration announced that it has rescinded its 2022 guidance that discouraged retirement plan fiduciaries from including cryptocurrency investments in 401(k) plans. The move is seen as a removal of a big regulatory roadblock that forced plan fiduciaries to exercise “extreme car…

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Unlocking SMB Market Success with 401GO’s Stan Smith 20:51

5M ago20:51

20:51

One of the most promising—and rapidly evolving—segments of the retirement plan industry is the small- to medium-sized business (SMB) market. With a wave of government incentives and employee expectations for workplace benefits on the rise, the time is ripe for innovation and growth. To help unpack the challenges and opportunities in serving this cr…

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Exploring Guaranteed Income in DC Plan Trends with Allianz Life’s Matt Stubblefield 19:49

6M ago19:49

19:49

The integration of guaranteed lifetime income solutions into workplace retirement plans remains a hot topic among plan advisors, sponsors and participants. To get an idea of the current state of these efforts, we talk with Matt Stubblefield, Aggregator Channel Director at Allianz, who highlights some key findings from a new report by the Allianz Ce…

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Value for money framework 29:43

6M ago29:43

29:43

Patrick Coyne, Interim Director of Policy and Public Affairs at TPR, and Nike Trost, Head of Asset Management and Pensions Policy at FCA, discuss the evolving value for money framework. Hear how it's shaping up, why it matters and the positive impact its set to have across the industry once rolled out.…

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Creating the 'Next-Gen 401(k) Report' with KWP Growth Partners’ Will Prest and Lisa Kottler 16:56

6M ago16:56

16:56

The inaugural "Next-Gen 401(k) Report" from KWP Growth Partners is being released on April 8, unveiling a dozen transformative trends that are shaping the future of retirement plans, putting the spotlight on 60 leading digital-forward companies that are driving innovation in the workplace retirement plan space. Will Prest, Managing Partner for KWP …

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Large-Cap Value Investing in 401(k) Plans with Invesco’s Devin Armstrong 19:01

7M ago19:01

19:01

In this episode, we explore how large-cap value investing fits into a well-structured 401(k) plan investment menu with the help of Devin Armstrong, co-lead manager of the Invesco Comstock Fund, who is Senior Portfolio Manager and Director of U.S. Value Research at Invesco. With market uncertainty and shifting economic conditions, value investing re…

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Taking the Reins at Viking Cove Institute: New President Amy Glynn 11:18

7M ago11:18

11:18

It was announced at the start of the recent Viking Cove Institute 2025 Industry Leaders Summit that well-known retirement industry veteran Amy Glynn would be taking the reins as President at the unique independent organization that boasts a membership of over 600 advisors across roughly 200 firms. Glynn joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to talk…

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S5 Ep6: ESG issues for Pension Schemes 25:30

8M ago25:30

25:30

In this episode, Chris Brown is joined by James Fisher from Willis Towers Watson and our very own Kate Granville Smith as they discuss ESG issues for pension schemes, with a focus on environmental sustainability. The key topics of discussion include the importance of ESG for pension schemes, understanding trustees' fiduciary duties in the context o…

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401(k) Forfeiture Lawsuits and SECURE 2.0 compliance with Richard Clarke 19:58

8M ago19:58

19:58

The “flavor of the month” in retirement plan ERISA lawsuits seems to be 401(k) forfeiture reallocation cases, where employers are accused of using forfeited funds to benefit the company instead of plan participants. Richard Clarke, Chief Insurance Officer at Colonial Surety Company, a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds, joins the 401(…

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S5 Ep5: TPR’s Updated Covenant Guidance – what are the key points for trustees and employers? 30:18

8M ago30:18

30:18

In episode 5 of season 5, our host Chris Brown is joined by Chris Flood, Managing Director at Interpath, who leads the employer covenant team across London and the South of England. In this episode they discuss The Pension Regulator’s updated covenant guidance, described as the last piece of the jigsaw to help schemes carry out valuations under the…

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Holly Knight’s High-Profile Move to Alera Group 11:25

8M ago11:25

11:25

High-profile retirement plan advisor Holly Knight joins the 401(k) Specialist Podcast in this episode to discuss her recent move from NFP to Alera Group, where she is in the newly created role of “Director of Retirement Advisor Services.” Knight explains the rationale behind the move and why she believes the young and growing company is uniquely po…

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Protecting the Rights of Retirement Investors with ICI Leader Eric J. Pan 10:39

9M ago10:39

10:39

A second Trump Administration, coupled with new leadership at the SEC and Department of Labor, brings the potential for significant changes in the regulatory environment in Washington, including discussions that could impact retirement tax incentives and their role in encouraging long-term savings. For insight on what this could mean when it comes …

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Andrew Biggs Rips Congress for Social Security 'Fairness' Act 30:44

9M ago30:44

30:44

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Jan. 6 thanks to strong bipartisan support. The intent was to provide greater retirement security and “fairness” to people who have dedicated their careers to public service, with bill supporters saying the old law unfairly stripped many low-income government and public …

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4 DC Trends to Watch for in 2025 with Vanguard’s Jeff Clark 10:17

10M ago10:17

10:17

With the new year quickly approaching, it’s a good time to think about some of the key trends to watch out for in 2025. Vanguard Head of Defined Contribution Research Jeff Clark—who is the author of the company’s popular “How America Saves” research—joins the 401(k) Specialist Podcast to talk about four 2025 retirement trends he anticipates will im…

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How to Better Reach 401(k) Participants with Invesco's Greg Jenkins 14:45

11M ago14:45

14:45

t’s always important for retirement plan advisors to know the primary concerns and interests of 401(k) participants in order to be able to communicate with them effectively. Invesco recently conducted some new research on the mindset of participants, and in this episode of the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast, we talk with Greg Jenkins, Managing Directo…

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S5 Ep4: A round-up of the latest pensions news 20:07

11M ago20:07

20:07

In this episode our trainees round up latest news stories; looking at the Mansion House and Budget announcements, the consultation on draft regulations for collective defined contribution schemes and The Pension Regulator’s review of the second year of climate-related financial disclosures.By The Burges Salmon Pensions Pod

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How Company Mergers Affect Retirement Plans with Inspira’s Pete Welsh 10:24

11M ago10:24

10:24

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Welsh, Managing Director of Retirement and Wealth at Inspira Financial, to explore the complexities of company mergers and their impact on retirement plans. Welsh sheds light on what happens when businesses with different retirement plans merge, outlining key outcomes and compliance concerns. He also provides …

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S5 Ep3: How to approach fiduciary manager assessment for DB Schemes? 29:12

11M ago29:12

29:12

In this episode Chris Brown and Helen Norman discuss the assessment of fiduciary managers for DB Schemes with Peter Dorward, Managing Director of IC Select, part of IGG. In particular, they focus on what the relevant regulatory requirements are, what trustees should hope to achieve from assessing their fiduciary managers; and whether there is merit…

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S5 Ep2: DC investments and private markets – what you need to know 26:49

12M ago26:49

26:49

In this episode Chris Brown and Helen Norman discuss defined contribution investment with David Whitehair, Director of Institutional Business, UK DC at Janus Henderson Investors. They ask how the DC investment journey differs from DB and why is there so much interest in investment in private markets? With investment for UK growth high on the Govern…

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Digital, data and technology strategy 16:05

12M ago16:05

16:05

Paul Neville, Executive Director of Digital, Data and Technology at The Pensions Regulator, describes how the organisation will use digital, data and technology to transform itself and industry in a bid to protect savers and drive innovation.By The Pensions Regulator

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Opportunity in the SMB Market with Principal Financial Group’s Sean Jordan 14:34

12M ago14:34

14:34

The small to mid-size business retirement plan market is a key growth opportunity for advisors who are looking to expand their client base and provide much-needed benefit solutions to a traditionally underserved segment. With all the new tax incentives for startup plans and state mandates to either offer a plan or have employees opted-in to a state…

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The Road to Better Retirement Outcomes with MFS' Jeri Savage 18:49

12M ago18:49

18:49

In this episode of the 401(k) Specialist Podcast, we’ll travel down the road to better participant outcomes with MFS Investment Management’s Jeri Savage, who will direct us through the key insights from the newly released 2024 MFS Global Retirement Survey. Podcast Episode Player Savage, Lead Retirement Strategist at Boston-based MFS, elaborates on …

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S5 Ep1: How should trustees and employers approach defined benefit risk transfer versus run-on? 24:07

1y ago24:07

24:07

In our first episode of season 5 of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod, Helen Norman and Chris Brown are joined by Sarah Brown, UK Chief Actuary at Gallagher Benefit Services, to discuss the benefits of defined benefit risk transfer versus run-on.By The Burges Salmon Pensions Pod

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Highlighting Fixed Income Opportunities with Invesco’s Matt Brill 10:07

1y ago10:07

10:07

Since the rapid rise in interest rates over the past few years, fixed income has come back into the spotlight. As the Federal Reserve begins cutting interest rates, retirement plan advisors might now be wondering how this shift will impact core bond and core plus bond portfolios. To find out, we speak with Matt Brill, CFA, Head of North America Inv…

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Solving the Portability Puzzle with Allianz Life’s Ben Thomason 14:28

1y ago14:28

14:28

Considerable resources have been devoted to solving the challenge of portability in retirement savings over the past few years, and the stakes are high to get it right and cut down on costly an unnecessary retirement plan leakage. In this episode, we talk with Ben Thomason, Head of Defined Contribution Distribution at Allianz Life Insurance Company…

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Fiduciary Rule Update and ERISA at 50 with Lathrop GPM’s Allie Itami 14:20

1y ago14:20

14:20

ERISA attorney Allie Itami, Partner at Lathrop GPM in Minneapolis, joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to talk about the status of the Department of Labor’s beleaguered fiduciary rule in light of recent stay rulings in Texas, and also chimes in on ERISA at 50 before addressing compliance challenges presented by annuities in 401(k) plans. And clic…

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The Past, Present and Future with Morningstar Retirement’s Brock Johnson 19:35

1y ago19:35

19:35

Morningstar Retirement President Brock Johnson joins a special 100th episode of the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to provide an inside look and share insights into the past, present and future of the comprehensive retirement planning solutions and investment research unit. Johnson talks about how retirement solutions and research have evolved over th…

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Exploring Retirement Income Strategies with Joshua Grass and Todd Levy 18:31

1y ago18:31

18:31

The retirement landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, characterized by unprecedented challenges such as increased longevity and unpredictable market conditions. Traditional retirement models centered solely on wealth accumulation are no longer sufficient. A more holistic approach is imperative to effectively manage risks, generate sustainable in…

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What's Behind a Remarkable 25-Year Milestone for Invesco's Kevin Holt 13:47

1y ago13:47

13:47

It’s quite rare for one person to manage a large-cap mutual fund for a consecutive span of 25 years, but that’s just what Kevin C. Holt, CFA, chief investment officer, U.S. Value Equities at Invesco, is celebrating this summer. Holt and Devin Armstrong, who have been co-lead portfolio managers for the Invesco Comstock Fund since 2007, apply a uniqu…

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Making 401(k) Saving Hard to Avoid with Principal’s Marc Howell and Felix Okwaning 22:07

1+ y ago22:07

22:07

No matter how easy plan sponsors try to make it for employees to participate in their company-sponsored 401(k) plan, too many workers still aren’t enrolling. Our guests on today have some ideas on dealing with this problem—centered on how instead of making it easy to participate, making it even harder to avoid enrolling in the plan in the first pla…

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Common HSA Mistakes (and Fixes) with ‘Mr. Retirement’ Jeremy Keil 14:04

1+ y ago14:04

14:04

Despite offering unique tax advantages, lots of people remain unaware of health savings accounts (HSA)—and even many who are using them aren’t using them to anywhere near their full potential. Jeremy Keil, CFP, CFA, a retirement-focused financial advisor and host of both the Retirement Revealed Podcast and Mr. Retirement YouTube channel, joins the …

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Jerry Schlichter Preps Advisors for Fiduciary Rule Changes 16:03

1+ y ago16:03

16:03

The DOL’s new fiduciary rule is scheduled to become effective in September, and retirement plan advisors and plan sponsors have plenty to do to prepare for the changes it will bring. Jerry Schlichter, founding and managing partner of Schlichter Bogard LLC and a well-known pioneer of retirement plan excessive fee litigation, visits the 401(k) Specia…

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Checking the Pulse of the HSA Market with Devenir’s Eric Remjeske 10:29

1+ y ago10:29

10:29

Health Savings Accounts can be a very effective tool not only to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, but also to save for retirement thanks to a unique triple tax advantage. To check in on the pulse of the HSA market, we talk with the co-founder and president of Devenir Research Eric Remjeske, who is also a co-author of the semi-annual Devenir …

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Fred Reish Unpacks the DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule 17:04

1+ y ago17:04

17:04

The Department of Labor released its final “Retirement Security Rule” recently, which aims to raise the legal bar for financial advisors, brokers, insurance agents and others who give retirement investment advice. Noted ERISA attorney Fred Reish Esquire, Partner at Faegre Drinker, shares his thoughts on some of the rule’s key focuses and changes, a…

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Exploring the 'Annuities in TDFs' Trend with Morningstar's Jason Kephart 11:37

1+ y ago11:37

11:37

There’s a trend happening right now where asset managers are using a new strategy to help 401(k) plan participants manage their retirement spending: Target date funds featuring annuities. Morningstar recently did some really interesting research on this trend, and there are some compelling reasons to believe this type of solution could gain some se…

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How AI is Changing the Game with Financial Finesse’s Liz Davidson 15:27

1+ y ago15:27

15:27

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic everywhere these days, including the financial services industry. We check in with artificial intelligence early adopter Liz Davidson, founder and CEO of Financial Finesse, who tells us about their award-winning AI-powered virtual financial coach named Aimee, and how AI really is turning into a game-changer fo…

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Previewing the 2024 NAPA 401(k) Summit with Nevin Adams and John Sullivan 16:39

1+ y ago16:39

16:39

The workplace retirement plan industry’s premiere event is just days away, with top professionals set to descend upon Nashville April 7-9 for the 2024 NAPA 401(k) Summit. We get a preview of the big event from two of the key people in charge of putting it together in Nevin Adams and John Sullivan, the former and current Chief Content Officers for t…

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Defending the 401(k) with ICI's Sarah Holden 16:49

1+ y ago16:49

16:49

The 401(k) has been under attack on multiple fronts lately. Between calls for eliminating their tax advantages to prop up Social Security to Bernie Sanders pining for a return to pension plans, and momentum seeming to build for the TSP-like “Retirement Savings for Americans Act” that many in the workplace retirement market believe would constitute …

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Matt Gray & Todd Levy 23:16

1+ y ago23:16

23:16

Unlocking the Door to Broader Adoption of Guaranteed Lifetime Income in 401(k)s: Matt Gray and Todd Levy Guaranteed lifetime income remains a hot topic in the workplace retirement plan market and there are plenty of factors at play these days that are helping these solutions gain traction—and more widespread adoption—in 401(k) plans. Matt Gray, Ass…

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S4 Ep6: Insurer Due Diligence: How does it help trustees navigating the pension insurance market? 19:57

1+ y ago19:57

19:57

Just like that we have reached the end of Season 4 of the Burges Salmon Pensions Pod. The pensions insurance market has exploded over the last 12-24 months, so in our final episode Chris Brown and Helen Helen Norman are joined by Richard Hall, a partner at Argyll Covenant Advisory, to discuss insurer due diligence and how this can assist trustees. …