Latest news with #retirement plans
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Empower Survey Reveals Growing Advisor Support for Private Market Investments in Retirement Plans
Article content While diversification and return potential drive interest, 2/3 say greater ERISA/regulatory clarity is needed Article content GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — A new survey today from Empower uncovers significant advisor interest in bringing private market investments into defined contribution portfolios. Article content Article content Empower's July 2025 survey of financial advisors found that 68% already utilize private market investments—including private equity, private real estate, and private credit—primarily in wealth-advised or high-net-worth accounts. Notably, 58% of advisors who utilize private market investments today would recommend them within retirement plans. That figure jumps to 75% among advisors who also serve pension or defined benefit plans, and 43% of advisors overall, signaling growing interest. Article content 'Private markets are not a niche corner of the investment landscape,' said Edmund F. Murphy III, President and CEO of Empower. 'With most U.S. companies privately held and trillions of dollars from individuals already invested, expanding access to these markets through defined contribution plans presents a significant opportunity to enhance long-term retirement outcomes. Advisors have a crucial role to play in responsibly guiding that evolution.' Article content 'Aligning the 401(k) system to private markets investing normalizes the U.S. retirement system with the rest of the international and defined benefit investing universe,' said Murphy. Article content According to the survey of advisors, the top perceived benefits of private market investments include: Article content However, advisors also cited liquidity (68%), fees (48%), and investment complexity (33%) as the main challenges to broader adoption. Importantly, 66% of advisors indicated that greater ERISA/regulatory clarity would increase their likelihood of recommending private markets in retirement plans, signaling a readiness to engage once the policy environment evolves. Article content 'As regulatory guidance develops, we see advisors playing a pivotal role in helping plan sponsors evaluate private investment options,' Murphy added. 'Professionally managed accounts and prudent exposure limits can help mitigate risk while offering retirement savers access to a broader investment universe.' Article content Empower believes advisors are well-positioned to support the responsible integration of private market investments into defined contribution retirement portfolios, supporting participants in their pursuit of long-term financial security. Article content In May of 2025 Empower launched a new program that will pave the way for private market investments to be included within defined contribution retirement plans. Article content Private investments offered through seven top asset managers may be implemented through collective investment trusts (CITs), providing limited exposure to diversified pools of private equity, private credit and private real estate, a structure that is designed to provide liquidity protection and reduced fee exposure. Article content This landmark initiative is designed to provide individuals with access to a broader range of investment options, enabling them to further diversify their portfolios and potentially maximize their retirement savings. Article content Related News: Article content About Empower Article content Recognized as the second-largest retirement services provider in the U.S. 1 by totalparticipants, Empower administers more than $1.8 trillion in assets for 19 million investors 2 through the provision of retirement plans, advice, wealth management, and investments. Connect with us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram. Pensions & Investments DC Recordkeeper Survey (2024). Ranking measured by total number of participants as of December 31, 2023. As of June 30, 2025. Assets under administration (AUA) refers to the assets administered by Empower. AUA does not reflect the financial stability or strength of a company. _____________________ Empower refers to the products and services offered by Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America (EAICA) and its subsidiaries. Article content 'EMPOWER' and all associated logos and product names are trademarks of Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America. Article content The information contained herein is being provided for discussion purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media contacts Article content Article content Stephen Gawlik – Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US SEC would set up guardrails for private investments in retirement plans, chairman says
NEW YORK -The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is prepared to work with the Labor Department to establish guardrails for investors if they gain greater access to private markets in retirement plans, the agency's chief said in a CNBC interview on Monday. "We can work with the Department of Labor to help to have good guardrails" for people to offer greater access to private markets for individual investors, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said when asked about reports that President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to make private-firm investments more accessible in retirement plans. Private firms do not have the same level of required disclosures as public companies and are prone to valuation issues, so the SEC has historically restricted their access to mainstream investors. "We need to make it so that individual investors are relying on fiduciaries to help them put these sorts of products, if they wish, into their long-term savings and retirement plans," Atkins said.
Reuters
21-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US SEC would set up guardrails for private investments in retirement plans, chairman says
NEW YORK, July 21 - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is prepared to work with the Labor Department to establish guardrails for investors if they gain greater access to private markets in retirement plans, the agency's chief said in a CNBC interview on Monday. "We can work with the Department of Labor to help to have good guardrails" for people to offer greater access to private markets for individual investors, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said when asked about reports that President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to make private-firm investments more accessible in retirement plans. Private firms do not have the same level of required disclosures as public companies and are prone to valuation issues, so the SEC has historically restricted their access to mainstream investors. "We need to make it so that individual investors are relying on fiduciaries to help them put these sorts of products, if they wish, into their long-term savings and retirement plans," Atkins said.
Associated Press
17-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Strategic Benefits Advisors outlines what plan sponsors need to know about the One Big Beautiful Bill
ATLANTA, Ga., July 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today released a practical summary of the employee benefits provisions contained in the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. While the legislation spans a wide range of tax and policy changes, SBA's summary highlights the bill's most significant impacts on employer-sponsored retirement plans, health and welfare benefits and payroll operations. 'Ever since the Affordable Care Act, employer-sponsored benefits have remained in flux, with each new piece of legislation adding another layer of complexity,' said SBA Director and Senior Benefits Consultant Andy Clonts. 'The One Big Beautiful Bill is no different. It introduces helpful flexibilities around HSA eligibility and indexes to inflation certain limits that have been stagnant for many years. At the same time, it creates new operational and compliance challenges that plan sponsors will need to navigate.' 'Some provisions are optional, others automatic and several require careful coordination between HR, payroll and third-party vendors,' Clonts added. 'Our goal is to help plan sponsors cut through the noise and quickly understand which provisions affect them so they can prioritize what to address now versus what may require longer-term planning.' RETIREMENT PLAN IMPACTS: HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN IMPACTS: PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION IMPACTS: This summary is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. For help assessing the impact of these changes on your plan and workforce, reach out to your Strategic Benefits Advisors consultant. ABOUT STRATEGIC BENEFITS ADVISORS: Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to more than 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of more than 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit Tags: #OBBB #employeebenefits #retirement #healthcare NEWS SOURCE: Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc. ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie W. Colley Depth for SBA [email protected] (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: Finance, Strategic Benefits Advisors, big beautiful bill, employee benefits consulting firm, retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition, ATLANTA, Ga. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127782 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
