In episode 87 of Revamping Retirement, CAPTRUST's Jennifer Doss and Pete Ruffel explore the realities of 401(k) audits, featuring guest Brad Bartels, partner at MUN CPAs, with decades of experience in the field. The conversation breaks down the purpose of retirement plan audits, emphasizing that they are designed to protect plan participants and support plan sponsors—not to penalize them. Bartels also addresses common misconceptions, outlines what sponsors can expect during the audit process, and highlights frequent findings like late contributions and compensation errors.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, CAPTRUST's Audrey Wheat and Matt Patrick sit down with Jake Connors of Cofi to discuss how independent search consultants can help plan sponsors navigate one of their most important fiduciary decisions—selecting a retirement plan advisor. The conversation explores how advisor searches have evolved beyond fees and investments to focus on service, HR support, and accountability, along with common pitfalls sponsors face when going it alone. Looking ahead, the group discusses how a maturing industry is reshaping expectations for both retirement and broader employee benefits oversight.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, Pete Ruffel and Jennifer Doss sit down with Kelsey Mayo, Chief of Retirement Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the American Retirement Association, to unpack the Department of Labor's newly proposed rule on fiduciary duties and the selection of designated investment alternatives (DIAs). Mayo explains why the rule is asset-class neutral, how it aims to recalibrate litigation standards, and what the DOL is signaling to both fiduciaries and the courts. With the 60-day comment period underway, this episode offers timely insight into what plan sponsors and fiduciaries should be thinking about now and what may come next.

In this episode of Revamping Retirement, Jennifer Doss and Matt Patrick are joined by Benny Goodman of the TIAA Institute to unpack what retirement income really means for individuals and for plan sponsors. The conversation explores the shift from saving to spending, the role of Social Security as an income foundation, and why guaranteed income tools like annuities are often misunderstood. Goodman also shares why employers are increasingly focused on helping participants retire through their plans, not just to retirement, and what that could mean for the future of workplace retirement plans.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, hosts Matt Patrick and Pete Ruffel unpack insights from CAPTRUST's first annual Financial Wellness Survey. They're joined by Chris Whitlow and Cat Ellis, who break down the evolving landscape of financial stress, engagement trends, and what employees truly want from their financial wellness programs. The conversation highlights key findings around generational differences, the power of personalized one‑on‑one advice, and surprising gaps between what stresses employees and what they're most eager to learn. Together, the group explores how plan sponsors and advisors can turn these insights into more effective, tailored strategies that genuinely support participants' financial confidence.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, Jennifer Doss and Matt Patrick sit down with Jim Underwood, CAPTRUST's head of portfolio management, to unpack the latest trends shaping financial markets and what they mean for retirement plan sponsors. From Federal Reserve rate cuts and inflation outlooks to equity market concentration and global investment considerations, the conversation dives into the forces driving today's investment landscape. Tune in for practical insights on navigating volatility and positioning plans for long-term success.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, hosts Audrey Wheat and Peter Ruffel welcome back Neal Ringquist, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of Retirement Clearinghouse, for a deep dive into auto portability and the Portability Services Network (PSN). Neal explains how auto portability enables seamless retirement balance transfers between employers, backed by regulatory support and a consortium of major record keepers. The conversation highlights key adoption metrics—over 21,000 plan sponsors enrolled and 16,700 completed transactions—and explores future applications like the Saver's Match. The episode also clears up common misconceptions and encourages plan sponsors to engage in expanding PSN's impact.

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, CAPTRUST's Matt Patrick and Audrey Wheat are joined by Jessica Sclafani, senior defined contribution strategist at T. Rowe Price, to unpack key findings from the 2025 DC Consult Study. Sclafani highlights the slow but steady shift toward actionable retirement income solutions and the increased attention to integrating private assets into target date funds. Tune in for valuable insights, practical takeaways, and a peek into Sclafani's personal vision of retirement (hint: it involves eccentric hats and lots of dogs).

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In this episode of Revamping Retirement, hosts Audrey Wheat and Pete Ruffel welcome Eric Dyson, executive director at 90 North Consulting, who offers strategic guidance for plan sponsors on fiduciary governance, investment oversight, and enhancing participant outcomes. The discussion delves into the broader implications of recent Supreme Court rulings and examines emerging developments in retirement plan design, including managed accounts and collective investment trusts.

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In episode 78 of Revamping Retirement, hosts Jennifer Doss and Matt Patrick are joined by Lucian Marinescu and Josh Charlson from Morningstar to explore the growing role of private market investments—such as private equity and private credit—within defined contribution (DC) plans. They discuss potential allocations, operational challenges, and the practical implications for plan sponsors, including fees, liquidity constraints, and valuation transparency. Lucian and Josh also share insights on fiduciary due diligence, the importance of transparency, and what sponsors need to evaluate before incorporating private strategies into their retirement plan lineups.