401(k) Fridays Podcast

By Rick Unser

What's 401(k) Fridays Podcast about?

The 401(k) Fridays Podcast features a weekly conversation with an expert guest to help employers and their service partners keep up with workplace retirement plan topics and trends. Listen today, improve your retirement plan tomorrow!

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401(k) Fridays Podcast episodes:

03.03.2023
Are We Approaching The Tipping Point For Private Equity & 401(k) Plans?
It’s been a minute since we focussed on PE and retirement plans. To dive into this I have Dan Cahill of the private equity firm Partners Group, one of two firms that took the initiative to seek guidance from the...
02.17.2023
Should the Financial Markets Guide Your Business (or 401(k)) Decisions?
It seems like the major themes that are dominating the investment markets are also of great interest to individuals trying to make decisions personally or in their businesses. That isn’t always the case. I couldn’t think of a better person...
02.03.2023
Bonds Behaving Badly, What Happened & What's Next?
Bonds, or fixed income investments did not have a great year in 2022 to say the least. The big question is now what? To delve into that, I am excited to have Michael J. Collins, CFA, and Managing Director and...
01.20.2023
Are You in The Know About SECURE 2.0?
If you are at all involved with workplace retirement plans, you would have to have been living under a rock to have not heard about SECURE 2.0. It is a hot topic, while also ambitious and even confusing. With all...
12.16.2022
Will Your 401(k) Account Soon Follow You Around?: Automatic Rollovers Coming To A Plan Near You
Here we go with a 401(k) Friday’s Podcast first, three guests and a great topic. Today we dive into the recent announcement that three major recordkeepers are launching the Portability Services Network. Joining me to discuss what this means is...
12.09.2022
Creating a Foundation for Financial Wellness
It’s been a little while since we tackled financial wellness, there has been a lot going on in that area so I was glad to be able to connect with Brent Hines, the co-founder and Chief Development Officer of the...
11.04.2022
401(k) Auto Features: The Good, Bad & Ugly
Every now and then you have a guest that like Prince, or Cher, that simply needs one name to know who they are. Today, I am happy to welcome Shlomo, more formally known as Dr. Shlomo Benartzi, Professor Emeritus, UCLA...
10.21.2022
Pooled Employer Plans, Canaries & Managed Accounts
I am happy to welcome back another guest who seemingly had predictive powers in prior episodes to briefly reflect on that prediction and give his crystal ball another look. Joining me is Jason Roberts, CEO of Pension Resource Institute and...
10.07.2022
Thoughts on Market Declines, Parity of Returns & V-Shaped Recoveries
If you hadn’t noticed, 2022 hasn’t produced the best results in the financial markets. The questions on everyone’s mind are how did we get here and what’s next? To delve into those and many other questions I am happy to...
09.23.2022
Rising Rates, Inflation & The Future of "Cash" In 401(k) Plans
Today, I am excited to launch the fall series of episodes and we start with stable value investments. My guest is Steve Horner, CFA and Portfolio Manager in the Corporate and Tax-Exempt Credit group within Fixed Income at Putnam Investments....
07.08.2022
401(k) M&A Mania: Beginning of the End, or Just The Beginning?
This week, we tackle M&A; Mania in the retirement space. My guest is Dick Darian, Founding Partner of the Wise Rhino Group, a firm dedicated to working with both buyers and sellers in the retirement market. We hit on what...
06.24.2022
Bitcoin & 401(k) Plans: Logical Evolution or Playing With Fire?
This week, we tackle a timely topic straight out of the headlines, Bitcoin or Digital assets and 401(k) plans. Joining me is Dave Gray, the Head of Workplace Retirement Platforms & Workplace Investing for Fidelity. We cover all the topics...
05.20.2022
ESG Investing & Retirement Plans: The What, Why & How
Finally, the much promised episode about ESG investing & retirement plans. Sorry it took so long, but it's definitely worth the wait. Joining me is Jessica Sclafani, director and defined contribution strategies for MFS Investment Management. We start with the...
05.06.2022
Defending 401(k) Plans: David Levine, Groom Law Group
This week, we have my promised update from the defense bar perspective on the many happenings in the world of retirement plans. Joining me is repeat guest David Levine, Principal and Co-Chair of the Plan Sponsor Practice at Groom...
04.22.2022
2022 So Far: Looking Back, Right In Front Us and Ahead
This week we have an action packed episode where we reflect back on the first quarter of 2022. What a wild one it was! We then discuss several hot topics that are moving the financial markets today and close with...
04.08.2022
Does TikTok Have It Right On 401(k) Plans?
On this episode we have a little fun and take on some information on 401(k)s that you may or may not have seen on TikTok. You will hear my inspiration for this episode right out of the gate and it...
03.11.2022
Thoughts For Employers (& The Retirement Industry) To Better Support The Minority Community
This week I am excited to welcome back Jerome Clark, portfolio manager of the T. Rowe Price Target Date Strategies. For a curveball, we are not going to talk at all about Target Date Funds, instead Jerome shares his insights...
03.04.2022
Impact & Implications For Inflation & Retirement Plans
This week I am excited to welcome back Rob Arnott, Founder & Chairman of Research Affiliates to dive into the trick topic of inflation and its impact on the markets. We also dive into the challenges of rising rates, equity...
02.18.2022
What Happens When 401(k) Plans Catch-up With Technology?
Day by day, year by year, technology plays are bigger and more important role in our lives. When it comes to retirement savings, how could technology impact things? To share some insights, I am happy to welcome Dave Castellani, Operating...
02.11.2022
Jerry Schlichter: Retirement Plan Litigation Outcomes & Observations
Today, I am excited to share the latest installment of what has become almost an annual conversation with Jerry Schlichter, Managing Partner of Schlichter Bogard & Denton. If you are in the world of 401(k) plans, you need no introduction...
01.28.2022
The Business of Being in the 401(k) Business: Employee Education
I am excited to get to get the podcast kicked off this year with a fast paced and wide ranging conversation with Peter Mollouk, President & CEO of Creative Planning. The main focus was employee education, how it has evolved...
12.03.2021
Holiday Shopping, Supply Chain & The Market Impact
As we take the turn into the holiday season, what will holiday shopping look like this year? Will the supply chain challenges, inflation, or other elements bring major changes? How could this impact the economy and financial markets? To help...
11.19.2021
TINA, The Economy & 401(k) Plans
If you like 90’s movies references, if your curious about who TINA is and you want some good perspective on what is going on with the markets and economy, we have a great show for you today. Joining me is...
10.29.2021
Gen Z & Money: Preferences, Pressures & Predictions
Over the years on the podcast we have talked about the generational preferences and trends of baby boomers, Gen X’rs and Millenials, But not Generation Z. To dig into them, I am happy to welcome back Nathan Voris, Director, Investments,...
10.15.2021
Does Infrastructure Spending = 401(k) Changes?
As part of the evolving conversation around infrastructure and how to pay for it, some potential changes to workplace retirement plans were injected into the conversation. To shed some light on the topic I am happy to welcome back Sam...
09.10.2021
Retirement Plan Design - Data, Developments & Decision Drivers
For years I have been using Vanguard’s annual “How America Saves” as a reference guide for retirement plan statistics and benchmarks. Today, I am excited to welcome Jeff Clark, a Senior Product Owner in Vanguard’s Strategic Retirement Consulting group and...
08.27.2021
401(k) Litigation - Updates, Opinions & Predications
It's been a little while since we have had an episode to discuss what is going on in the world of 401(k) litigation. To dive into that, I am happy to welcome back Carl Engstrom, plaintiff’s attorney with Nichols Kaster...
08.13.2021
Avoid These Three 401(k) Panic Buttons
Things are moving fast in the financial markets and economy. In turbulent times, the decisions you do or don’t make have a big impact on the future success of your retirement plan. To help digest some macro events and share...
07.23.2021
Should Your Employees Save For College or Retirement?
Save for retirement or save for college? This is the age old debate that many struggle with. To shed some light on the subject I am happy to welcome Peg Creonte, President of Government Savings at Acensus. During our conversation...
07.09.2021
Future of 401(k) Plans: Looking Back to Look Forward
What does the future hold for 401(k) and other workplace retirement plans? Good question, and I am excited to have Josh Cohen, Head of Institutional Defined Contribution at PGIM and the host of the podcast “The Accidental Plan Sponsor” join...
06.04.2021
Inflation: Problem or Opportunity in 401(k) & Other Retirement Plans?
If you have tried to buy almost anything in the last several months, there is a good chance it costs you more today than it did previously. These cost increases, or inflation, have been a dominant topic of conversation both...
05.21.2021
Retirement Plan Document Restatement & Other Related Best Practices
You are probably wondering, first, how do you possibly make a full episode out of retirement plan document restatements and other related topics, and second, how do you make it interesting? Well, when you have Alison Cohen, ERISA Attorney and...
05.07.2021
Preston Rutledge: EBSA Stories, SECURE 2.0 & More!
What a treat, today I am please to welcome Preston Rutledge, Founder and Principal of the Rutledge Policy group and previously Assistant Secretary of Labor for the EBSA and prior to that, senior tax and benefits counsel for Chairman Orrin...
03.26.2021
Do We Have A Student Debt or Retirement Crisis?: One, Both or Neither?
Guest Bio Joshua Dietch is the group manager of Retirement Thought Leadership in Global Brand Marketing. Joshua is responsible for leading a team of researchers and writers who create retirement thought leadership in support of the firm's workplace retirement, intermediary,...
03.12.2021
High Equity Valuations + Low Bond Yields = ??
What do current equity valuations and bond yields potentially mean for returns in the coming decade? Today, Rob Arnott, Chairman of Research Affiliates gets out his crystal ball and shares his thoughts. If you have heard Rob on prior episodes...
03.05.2021
The State of State Run Retirement Plans: A Bi-Coastal Update
At least once a year it makes sense to check in on what our friends at the state run retirement plans are up to. Today, I am happy to have Katie Selenski, the Executive Director of CalSavers, the California State...
02.12.2021
"Total Economic Worth" and Other Concepts To Help 401(k) Participants
If you couldn’t tell, the COVID pandemic and its impact on the economy, retirement plans and individuals has really gotten me thinking. Along those lines, a recent presentation from this week’s return guest, David Blanchett, the head of retirement research...
01.29.2021
Will the Roaring Financial Markets of the 2020's Continue?
The financial markets have started the decade on a feverish pace despite a brief pandemic induced bear market. Today, Dr. David Kelly, CFA with J.P. Morgan Asset Management joins me to share his thoughts on where we go from here....
01.15.2021
Has The Pandemic Impacted The Financial Health Of Employees?
Happy New Year! I could not think of a better way to kick off 2021 than with an update from Pete the Planner on the impact of the pandemic on personal finances. Some of what he says you might expect,...
12.04.2020
Small 401(k) Plans: Big Opportunities & Revelations
Admittedly, when I develop topics and content for the podcast I am generally catering to the mid to large plan market. Today, I am excited to welcome Chad Parks, the Founder & CEO of Ubiquity Retirement + Savings to discuss...
11.13.2020
Stable Value Investments: Details, Developments & Direction
If you have stable value investments on your mind, my conversation today with Debbie Vince & Ken Sommers of New York Life should address your questions or concerns. We start with Debbie providing some background on stable value investments, how...
11.06.2020
Retirement Income: Finally, The 401(k) Topic in 2021?
Could Retirement Income be the hot topic of 2021? It was supposed to be the hot topic of 2020, then we got a little derailed. To chat through this with be today, I am excited to have Doug McIntoch, Vice...
10.09.2020
401(k) Fiduciary Fundamentals: Retirement Plan Fees
Today’s episode came by request from several listeners, so thank you for that! The topic is retirement plan fees. My guest is Jim Scheinberg, Managing Partner of North Pier Search Consulting and North Pier Fiduciary Management. We started off with...
10.02.2020
What The Hey Is Going On With 401(k) M&A?
When it comes to M&A; activity in the retirement service provider ecosystem, there has been a lot of activity to say the least. This is something my guest, Dick Darian, the CEO of Wise Rhino Group saw coming and has...
09.25.2020
Politics, The Election & 401(k) Plans: 2020 Edition
Tis the season for talk about elections and boy do we have that today. To lend some muscle to the conversation I have Nevin Adams with the American Retirement Association. We start at the top of the ticket as they...
09.18.2020
The Info On Vanguard's Infosys Announcement
A few months ago, Vanguard made a significant announcement about the future of their recordkeeping business. To be honest, there was a lot of confusion and questions about the rationale, details and what the future holds for them. To address...
09.11.2020
What Do The Numbers Tell Us About 401(k) Behavior During The COVID-19 Pandemic?
Hard to believe, but the economic and financial market impact of COVID-19 first materialized about seven months ago. Since then, we have been seen record breaking market volatility, a spike in unemployment, a recession in the U.S. economy, and dramatic...
09.04.2020
SEPs, to MEPs, to PEPs: The Logical Evolution of Workplace Retirement Plans?
The 401(k) world if nothing else loves its acronyms. Today, I am excited to welcome Alison Cohn, a Partner and attorney with Ferenczy Benefits Law Center to the podcast! Alison brings her quick wit and enthusiasm to a conversation around...
08.28.2020
Will State Retirement Plans Improve the State of Our Retirement Security?
A major challenge for let's call it 40% of the workforce here in the United States is access to a retirement plan at work. Recently, several states have launched retirement plans to help provide more access to workers and close...
07.24.2020
Two More Bites At The 401(k) Advice Apple? Exploring Regulation Best Interest & The New DOL Fiduciary Rule
We have talked about Regulation BI and the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule before on the podcast, however, it has been a while. Reg BI is now live and the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule has been revamped after its prior version was vacated...

What's 401(k) Fridays Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

401(k) Fridays Podcast episodes:

Are We Approaching The Tipping Point For Private Equity & 401(k) Plans?

Should the Financial Markets Guide Your Business (or 401(k)) Decisions?

Bonds Behaving Badly, What Happened & What's Next?

Are You in The Know About SECURE 2.0?

Will Your 401(k) Account Soon Follow You Around?: Automatic Rollovers Coming To A Plan Near You

Creating a Foundation for Financial Wellness

401(k) Auto Features: The Good, Bad & Ugly

Pooled Employer Plans, Canaries & Managed Accounts

Thoughts on Market Declines, Parity of Returns & V-Shaped Recoveries

Rising Rates, Inflation & The Future of "Cash" In 401(k) Plans

401(k) M&A Mania: Beginning of the End, or Just The Beginning?

Bitcoin & 401(k) Plans: Logical Evolution or Playing With Fire?

ESG Investing & Retirement Plans: The What, Why & How

Defending 401(k) Plans: David Levine, Groom Law Group

2022 So Far: Looking Back, Right In Front Us and Ahead

Does TikTok Have It Right On 401(k) Plans?

Thoughts For Employers (& The Retirement Industry) To Better Support The Minority Community

Impact & Implications For Inflation & Retirement Plans

What Happens When 401(k) Plans Catch-up With Technology?

Jerry Schlichter: Retirement Plan Litigation Outcomes & Observations

The Business of Being in the 401(k) Business: Employee Education

Holiday Shopping, Supply Chain & The Market Impact

TINA, The Economy & 401(k) Plans

Gen Z & Money: Preferences, Pressures & Predictions

Does Infrastructure Spending = 401(k) Changes?

Retirement Plan Design - Data, Developments & Decision Drivers

401(k) Litigation - Updates, Opinions & Predications

Avoid These Three 401(k) Panic Buttons

Should Your Employees Save For College or Retirement?

Future of 401(k) Plans: Looking Back to Look Forward

Inflation: Problem or Opportunity in 401(k) & Other Retirement Plans?

Retirement Plan Document Restatement & Other Related Best Practices

Preston Rutledge: EBSA Stories, SECURE 2.0 & More!

Do We Have A Student Debt or Retirement Crisis?: One, Both or Neither?

High Equity Valuations + Low Bond Yields = ??

The State of State Run Retirement Plans: A Bi-Coastal Update

"Total Economic Worth" and Other Concepts To Help 401(k) Participants

Will the Roaring Financial Markets of the 2020's Continue?

Has The Pandemic Impacted The Financial Health Of Employees?

Small 401(k) Plans: Big Opportunities & Revelations

Stable Value Investments: Details, Developments & Direction

Retirement Income: Finally, The 401(k) Topic in 2021?

401(k) Fiduciary Fundamentals: Retirement Plan Fees

What The Hey Is Going On With 401(k) M&A?

Politics, The Election & 401(k) Plans: 2020 Edition

The Info On Vanguard's Infosys Announcement

What Do The Numbers Tell Us About 401(k) Behavior During The COVID-19 Pandemic?

SEPs, to MEPs, to PEPs: The Logical Evolution of Workplace Retirement Plans?

Will State Retirement Plans Improve the State of Our Retirement Security?

Two More Bites At The 401(k) Advice Apple? Exploring Regulation Best Interest & The New DOL Fiduciary Rule

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