Report

U.S. Defined Contribution Distribution 2022

Tailoring Solutions to the Consultant-Intermediated Fiduciary Landscape

Interpret, Innovate, Expand

  • Understand the intersection of wealth management and retirement planning
  • Evaluate in-plan guaranteed income products
  • Learn about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) adoption under a new Department of Labor (DOL) regime
  • Explore consultant/aggregator trends and perspectives

$20,000

Discounts available for bulk purchase.

US Defined Contribution Distribution 2020 Detail

Buy Now

Maeve Flanagan

Maeve Flanagan

Associate Director, Account Management

Summary

This annual report focuses on product development and distribution opportunities for asset managers and other providers in the defined contribution (DC) market. The report also features detailed 401(k) plan sizing and coverage of retirement plan intermediaries (advisors and consultants), along with sizing of the advisor-sold DC market.

Included with Purchase

Methodology

Methodology

Each report is lead authored by a senior Cerulli analyst with significant industry experience. The report incorporates qualitative and quantitative inputs, based on Cerulli’s proprietary research process. For more on our research process, click here.

Executive summary

Executive Summary

Get the most important report findings distilled in an easy-to-understand and highly visual format before you begin your journey through the report or use it as a tool for senior leadership.

Interactive report dashboard

Interactive Report Dashboard

Access consolidated data from multiple report exhibits in a single comparative view. Flexibly build your view of data with customizable filters and share the results in a format that meets your requirements.

Analyst support

Analyst Support

Got a question? Our analysts are available to help you interpret and analyze key findings as well as provide their perspective on industry trends.

Data

Data Behind the Report

Data is the foundation of our reports. Each study contains nearly 100 exhibits, available to buyers in Excel format. Extract and explore Cerulli’s data and analysis your way.

Digital

Digital Access

Access your reports digitally anytime, anywhere, on any device through our client portal.

A Note from the Author

Meet the Newest Addition to the Target-Date Landscape: Annuities

Shawn O'Brien, CFA

Shawn O'Brien, CFA

Director

Bio →

Shawn O'Brien, CFA

Shawn O'Brien, CFA

Director

Shawn oversees the Retirement practice at Cerulli Associates. In this role, Shawn oversees and mentors a team of analysts responsible for publishing research on the trends in defined contribution (DC) and IRA markets. Additionally, Shawn provides strategic oversight to Cerulli’s consulting projects focused on opportunities in the retirement space. Shawn frequently speaks at industry summits and conferences. Shawn is also responsible for overseeing the firm’s Data Analytics team.

Prior to joining Cerulli Associates, Shawn was a researcher at Harvard Business School where he co-authored case studies alongside professors Adi Sunderam and Luis M. Viceira focused on investment management for individual and institutional investors. Shawn started his career in investment operations at SSgA where he covered the firm’s equity collective investment trusts and institutional separate accounts.

Full biography here.

In the 36 months following the passage of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act—which includes well-documented lifetime income provisions intended to remove barriers to offering lifetime income products in DC plans—several asset managers have come to market with new guaranteed income, and non-guaranteed, retirement income products for the defined contribution (DC) market. In fact, according to our research, one in four target-date managers offers a target-date fund with an annuitization component.

The rise in product development comes as retirement income becomes the most top-of-mind issue in the defined contribution investment-only (DCIO) asset manager community. 88% of DCIO asset managers relay that conversations with plan sponsors, advisors, and consultants related to in-plan retirement income have increased in the past 12 months.

While some guaranteed income (and non-guaranteed) products and solutions released following the SECURE Act are a step in the right direction, there is plenty of room for innovation. Explore our views on this topic, receive complete and updated defined contribution market sizing, and evaluate DC-focused investment strategies and vehicles and DC intermediaries with this report.

Contact Us

Want More Information?

Learn more about this report and related Cerulli research.

Contact Us

You May Also be Interested in:

  • Annual report
  • The Cerulli Edge
Consulting Page module Rocket 120820

Strategic Consulting & Custom Research

Cerulli for Consulting

Understand where to allocate resources to achieve your objectives. We can help you determine which initiatives are likely to be successful and those that may not achieve the desired effect. In an increasingly competitive market, our objectivity and experience can help you to advance your firm’s unique strengths.

Learn More

We use cookies to improve your site experience, distinguish you from other users and support the marketing of our services. These cookies may store your personal information. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. For more information, please visit our Privacy Notice.