U.S. Defined Contribution Distribution 2024
Addressing the Obstacles to Inclusion of Alternatives in DC Plans
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
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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.
A Note from the Author
Are Plans Sponsors Ready for Alternatives in DC Plans? Yes, But Product Structure Matters.
Idin Eftekhari
Senior Analyst
Bio →
Idin Eftekhari
Senior Analyst
Idin is a senior analyst in Cerulli’s Retirement research practice, which specializes in the defined contribution (DC) and individual retirement account (IRA) markets.
Prior to joining Cerulli, Idin was a senior member of the Portfolio Evaluation Group at Fisher Investments, where he was responsible for providing asset allocation and benchmark recommendations for high-net-worth clients in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. During his 15+ year tenure at Fisher Investments, Idin served in multiple roles supporting the firm’s Private Client Group and Institutional Group.Full biography here.
Adoption of alternative investments in defined contribution (DC) plans continues to be limited due to a confluence of factors; however, Cerulli research finds asset managers are seeking to make inroads via collective investment trust (CIT) and interval fund structures. According to our research, about one-quarter of asset managers report they currently offer each, and 17% and 25% report they are considering offering these structures, respectively, to DC plans in the next two years.
Offering strategies in different vehicle types will play a material role in spurring adoption of alternatives. CITs, for instance, can be a viable pathway for packaging alternative investments into the DC space, given their less stringent liquidity and reporting requirements relative to mutual funds. Addressing the concerns of plan sponsors—from cost to liquidity—while tailoring strategies to meet their specific needs will be imperative for asset managers’ success in the DC channel.For more on this topic, access to The Cerulli Report—U.S. Defined Contribution Distribution 2024, the comprehensive guide to product development and distribution in the DC market.
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