What does a “healthy” retirement plan actually look like in the public sector? In this episode of NAGDCA Conversations, Executive Director Matt Petersen talks with Nick Amaral, VP of Data, Analytics & Insights at Fidelity, about how plan sponsors can look beyond traditional benchmarks to evaluate performance, improve participant outcomes, and tailor their strategies to the unique structure of public plans.

Nick shares how Fidelity’s Retirement Plan Health Score, financial wellness tools, and participant engagement analytics are helping plan sponsors redefine success in more holistic and meaningful ways.

Inflation may have cooled for now, but uncertainty remains—and public sector plan sponsors are left wondering how to prepare. In this episode, NAGDCA’s Matt Petersen sits down with Kevin Kneafsey, Senior Investment Strategist, to discuss how inflation impacts DC plans and what sponsors can do to build more resilient investment menus.

Learn why inflation is so hard to predict, why traditional “inflation-hedging” assets often fall short, and how portfolio design—not participant timing—is the key to long-term protection.

What role can private markets play in defined contribution plans—and how are new investment structures making them more accessible? In this episode of NAGDCA Conversations, Matt Petersen talks with Steve Ulian, Managing Director at Apollo, about how recent innovations are helping public sector DC plans tap into the potential of private equity, real assets, and private credit.

Steve explains why now is the right time to consider these investments, how they’ve become “DC-ready,” and what fiduciaries should know about liquidity, structure, and risk management.

In this episode of NAGDCA Conversations, Executive Director Matt Petersen sits down with Malia Bonham and Seth Miller from the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems to discuss how the state successfully expanded automatic enrollment from state employees to local governments.

Malia and Seth offer a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative strategy, stakeholder engagement, and lessons learned. Whether you're exploring auto enrollment for the first time or looking to refine your existing approach, this episode provides practical insights and inspiration for state and local plan sponsors alike.

Join NAGDCA Executive Director Matt Petersen and Josh Cohen from PGIM as they discuss how public sector DC plan sponsors can adapt to rising market volatility and uncertainty.

In this episode:
- What volatility means for different participant groups
- The role of fixed income and inflation-sensitive assets
- Why personalization matters in times of uncertainty
- Rethinking menus to support aging workforces

Stable value funds play a critical role in public sector retirement plans, but how do they really work? In this episode of NAGDCA Conversations, Matt Petersen talks with Mike Norman, President of Galliard Capital, to break it all down:

•  New PRRL research on stable value allocation trends
• Why some younger participants are investing in stable value
• How different stable value structures impact risk and returns
• The role of interest rates and what’s ahead for stable value funds
• Liquidity rules and plan sponsor considerations

Tune in to gain expert insights and ensure your plan’s stable value options  align with participant needs!

How should public sector DC plans approach asset allocation? In this episode, Matt Petersen sits down with Justin Harvey from T. Rowe Price to explore:

•  Why asset allocation drives 90% of investment returns
•  How public sector workforce demographics should influence plan design
•  The real definition of risk—it’s not just market volatility
•  How DB plans and Social Security impact DC investment strategies
•  Practical tips for small and large plans alike

Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable takeaways for public plan sponsors and fiduciaries!

Join us as NAGDCA Executive Director Matt Petersen kicks off an exciting new series with industry thought leader David Levine from Groom Law Group. Together, they dive into the most pressing trends in public DC plans—industry consolidation, emerging plan features like managed accounts and emergency savings, and innovations in investments such as customized target-date funds and income products. 

Whether you're a plan sponsor, fiduciary, or just curious about the future of public sector retirement, this episode is packed with insights to help navigate the evolving landscape. Tune in to explore how to build plans that truly meet public employees' needs!

Join NAGDCA for an in-depth discussion on the emergency savings provisions in SECURE 2.0 and the impact on public sector plans. Ned Taylor, Senior Consultant at Hyas Group, and Hutch Schaffer, Vice President of Business Development at Nationwide, share their insights with Executive Director Matt Petersen and answer questions from attendees.

Join NAGDCA for an in-depth discussion on the catch-up provisions in SECURE 2.0 and the impact on public sector plans. Marilyn Collister, Senior Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at Empower and NAGDCA Legislative Committee member, and Craig Chaikin, Senior Vice President at Callan, will share their insights with Executive Director Matt Petersen and answer questions from attendees.