Behind the Curtain on Mergers & Acquisitions

Behind the Curtain on Mergers & Acquisitions

In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser goes behind the curtain on mergers and acquisitions with two seasoned leaders who live this work every day. Casey Craig, Executive Vice President and Head of the Large, Mega, NfP, and PEO Markets at Empower, and April Bettencourt, Vice President of Global Employee Benefits at VSP Vision, share real‑world insights on M&A across financial services and healthcare. Together, they explore why M&A has become such a powerful growth strategy, how organizations think beyond scale to focus on clients and participants, and what can drive sellers to the table. The conversation dives into culture, due diligence, and integration—especially when it comes to people, benefits, and 401(k) plans. From navigating multiple plan structures to communicating change transparently, this episode highlights practical considerations for employers, HR leaders, and retirement professionals working through—or preparing for—M&A.

Has the Moment for Retirement Income Finally Arrived?

In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser dives into one of the most talked‑about—and most challenging—topics in retirement: turning savings into sustainable income. Rick is joined by Fiona Greig, Global Head of Investor Research and Policy at Vanguard, and Eric Jackson, Benefit Plan Investment Strategist at Chevron, for a candid discussion on why retirement income has lagged behind accumulation and why the focus on solving it continues to grow. The conversation explores the shift from pensions to 401(k)s, the role of behavior and choice architecture, and why "retirement income" is less about products and more about holistic solutions. From in‑plan versus out‑of‑plan strategies and the promise—and pitfalls—of annuities to the growing role of technology, advice, and even generative AI, this episode shares insights relevant for plan sponsors, advisors, and anyone thinking about the next chapter after saving stops and spending begins.

The Resilient Market: What 2025 Taught Us About Long-Term Investing

In this episode of The 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser welcomes Meera Pandit, Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, to unpack the economic story of 2025 and what it means for retirement plans. From market resilience in the face of geopolitical unrest and sticky inflation to the rise of AI-driven investing and concentrated equity markets, Meera shares her perspective on how long-term investors, especially 401(k) participants, can navigate what's next. You'll hear insights on diversification, consumer sentiment, global opportunities, and the importance of staying disciplined in uncertain times. Link to JPMorgan's "Guide to the Market": Guide to the Markets Q1 2026 [https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/institutional/insights/market-insights/guide-to-the-markets/]

Behavioral Finance Meets 401(k): What the Data Says About Defaults

In this episode of the 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by John Beshears, Professor at Harvard Business School, and Brad Champagne, VP of Human Resources at Mission Linen Supply, to explore how behavioral finance and thoughtful plan design are reshaping retirement outcomes. They reflect on a decade of data since Mission Linen revamped its 401(k) defaults and discuss the impact of auto-enrollment, investment choices, and employee engagement. The conversation also dives into emerging ideas around emergency savings, personalized defaults, and how employers can better support financial wellness. Whether you're in HR, finance, or advising retirement plans, this episode offers actionable insight on what's working—and what's next.

Rethinking Retirement: Is the Crisis as Bad as We Think?

In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Andrew Biggs, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and Mina Biggs, Chief People Officer at Hanson Professional Services. Together, they unpack the so-called "retirement crisis," exploring generational attitudes toward saving, the evolving structure of retirement plans, and how government policies like the SECURE Act 2.0 aim to move the needle. From the role of Social Security to the importance of workplace financial education, this episode offers practical insight for plan sponsors, HR leaders, and anyone navigating today's retirement landscape. The Real Retirement Crisis: Why (Almost) Everything You Know About the US Retirement System Is Wrong [https://www.amazon.com/Real-Retirement-Crisis-Almost-Everything/dp/0844750816]