Episode Summary

If you have ever felt like there is more you can do with or learn from your 401(k) plan data, this is the episode for you!  To help explore the topic I am excited to have both John Fitzsimmons, Vice President of Reporting and Analytics and Bryan Hallock Director of Customer Analytics, both with Fidelity Workplace Investing.  Despite the focus on what some might consider a dry topic, we had a fast moving and informative conversation.  We tackled topics such as why its important for employers who are looking to gain insight from their plan data to get past the averages, how to turn conventional wisdom into quantifiable observations and how with proper analysis of your 401(k) data, you can gain insight that can positively impact your plan, your business and participant retirement outcomes.  I also learned a new term, elevator analysis.  Take a listen, and let me know if you start using it in conversations going forward!  Since I didn’t do such a great job of introducing my guests, the first new voice you will hear from is John and the second is Bryan.  Last thing, if you’re not subscribed to the email list already, go to www.401kfridays.com and subscribe, going forward we will be notifying our email subscribers of our future podcast guests and they will have the exclusive opportunity to submit topics or questions for me to address with them on the show!  Now, I hope you enjoy my conversation with John and Brian!

Guest Bios

John Fitzsimmons is vice president of Reporting and Analytics for Fidelity Investments, a diversified financial services firm that makes retirement planning accessible to 23 million customers – from people investing their life savings, to businesses managing their employee benefits, to advisors investing their clients’ money.  

 

As vice president of Reporting & and Analytics, John leads a team that is responsible for Fidelity’s Executive Insights platform. Leveraging Fidelity’s data base of 23 million customers, Executive Insights allows Plan Sponsors to dynamically analyze their participant’s retirement readiness and benchmark themselves against their peers.

 

Mr. Fitzsimmons joined Fidelity in 1995 and has held several leadership positions within Fidelity’s Workplace Investing business. Prior to his current role, he John worked in Finance roles across Fidelity. 

 

Mr. Fitzsimmons received his bachelor of arts degree in International Relations from Tufts University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University.  

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Bryan Hallock is an Atlanta native, receiving his B.S. in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his M.B.A. in Finance from Georgia State University. He started with Fidelity in Boston in 2004 and now serves as a Director of Workplace Investing Finance - Customer Analytics. In this role, he explores 401(k) participant behavior with the care of a data scientist and a creativity and zeal inspired by “Moneyball”.  This approach has proved fruitful in understanding the underlying drivers of participant behavior and outcomes, creating actionable metrics that have been communicated to the marketplace, clients, prospects, and policy makers in Washington. Bryan recently received his J.D. (law) degree from Georgia State University and is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

401(k) Fridays Podcast Overview

Helps employers navigate the evolving retirement benefits landscape through weekly engaging interviews with industry leaders, subject matter experts and progressive employers with unique viewpoints. The diverse in-depth perspectives and relevant topics help employers make more informed decisions about their retirement benefit programs which will positively impact their employees and business.  For more information please visit www.401kfridays.com/podcasts.