Three Key Strategies for Improving Retirement Plan Participant Outcomes

Defining Value Creation in the Decumulation Phase

Danielle Kelso, Senior Institutional Solutions Consultant at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-kelso-fsa-878505131/], joins us to shed light on the changes and innovations shaping the future of retirement security. In her role, Kelso provides research, analytics and product expertise to the Allianz sales team, and shares her expertise on what plan sponsors need to be thinking about when it comes to supporting a retiree’s lifestyle by ensuring stable income and managing risks effectively. Disclosure The hypothetical examples cited uses the Portfolio Impact Report (PIR) engine developed by Allianz Investment Management U.S. LLC (AIM US) which demonstrates the probability of achieving retirement goals by using model hypothetical portfolios and 20,000 Monte Carlo simulations. The PIR tool is used to show how adding an annuity to a portfolio may quantitatively improve the likelihood of portfolio success.  The PIR tool is not intended as an individualized financial planning tool. Fixed index annuities are designed to meet long-term needs for retirement income. They provide guarantees against the loss of principal and credited interest, tax deferred accumulation potential, and the reassurance of a death benefit for beneficiaries. This content is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide fiduciary, tax, or legal advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Please note that Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz), its affiliated companies, and their representatives and employees do not give fiduciary, tax, or legal advice or advice related to Social Security or Medicare. Clients are encouraged to consult their tax advisor or attorney, or Social Security Administration (SSA) office, for their particular situation.  Allianz does not provide financial planning services or advice. Investment strategies, such as diversification, do not ensure a profit or protect against loss. The indexes available within the contract are constructed to keep track of diverse segments of the U.S. or international markets, or specific market sectors. These indexes are benchmarks only. Indexes can have different constituents and weighting methodologies. Some indexes have multiple versions that can weight components or may track the impact of dividends differently. Although an index may affect interest credited, clients cannot purchase, directly participate in, or receive dividend payments from any of them through the index annuity contract. Withdrawals from an annuity may be subject to ordinary federal and state income taxes. You may also be subject to a 10% federal additional tax if you take withdrawals prior to age 59½. Annuity guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Allianz Investment Management U.S. LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) and provides investment management and hedging services to the broader Allianz Group. Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer. This content does not apply in the state of New York. Not FDIC insured • May lose value • No bank or credit union guarantee• Not a deposit • Not insured by any federal government agency or NCUA/NCUSIF For institutional use only – not for use with the public.

A Major Retirement Disconnect: What Sponsors Miss About Participant Priorities

Today, we’re joined by Glenn Dial, Senior Retirement Strategist with American Century Investments. Dial explains some fascinating findings from “The Retirement Disconnect: What Sponsors Miss About Participant Priorities,” the firm’s 12th annual survey of retirement plan participants and sponsors, which can be found at americancentury.com. He covers retirement income, common misconceptions, and the always-important income replacement rate, among other high-profile topics. Source: 12th Annual American Century Retirement Survey Methodology: The participant survey was conducted between June 3, 2025, and June 23, 2025.  The survey included 1,500 full-time workers between the ages of 25 and 70 saving through their employer’s retirement plan. The data were weighted to reflect key demographics (gender, income, and education) among all American private sector participants between 25 and 70. The sponsor survey was conducted between May 20, 2025, and June 16, 2025. Survey included 500 plan sponsor representatives holding a job title of Director or higher and having considerable influence when it comes to making decisions about their company’s retirement plan (either 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plans). The data were weighted to reflect the makeup of the total defined contribution population by plan asset size. Percentages in the tables and charts may not total 100 due to rounding and/or missing categories. Greenwald Research of Washington, D.C., completed data collection and analysis. This material has been prepared for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Investment return and principal value of security investments will fluctuate. The value at the time of redemption may be more or less than the original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Three Key Strategies for Improving Retirement Plan Participant Outcomes

Today, we’re joined by Mike Kelly, Strategic Accounts Director with Inspira Financial. Mike discusses the strategies that plan sponsors can use to manage their retirement plans better and create better outcomes for their plan participants. But before we delve into that, Mike reminds listeners what Inspira Financial is and what it does.

Three Common Retirement Plan Admin Problems—and How They’re Solved

Mike Kelly, Strategic Accounts Director at Inspira Financial, joins Plan Sponsor of America’s (PSCA) John Sullivan for an in-depth discussion of the common problems that plan sponsors encounter while managing their retirement plans—as well as possible solutions to those problems. Here’s what they had to say.

Driving Success: Why Plan Sponsors Should Prioritize Retirement Income Solutions

In this episode, we explore the importance of retirement income for plan sponsors in today's uncertain economic landscape. Joining us are Gordy Stead, Head of Institutional Sales, and Danielle Kelso, Senior Institutional Solutions Consultant from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz). They provide insights into the role of guaranteed lifetime income options, such as fixed index annuities (FIAs), in offering stability and growth potential. By exploring the different retirement income products and considering the specific needs of participants, plan sponsors can gain guidance on making informed decisions for their retirement plans.   ** Disclosure Research Cited- The State of Lifetime Income: Participant Survey, conducted by Allianz in November 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 2,488 respondents aged 18+ who are currently contributing to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Fixed index annuities are designed to meet long-term needs for retirement income. They provide guarantees against the loss of principal and credited interest and the reassurance of a death benefit for beneficiaries. Increasing income potential may be provided through either built-in or optional riders that may be at an additional cost. With the purchase of any additional-cost riders, a fixed index annuity contract's values will be reduced by the cost of the rider. This may result in a loss of principal and interest in any year in which the contract does not earn interest or earns interest in an amount less than the rider charge. Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz), 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. 800.542.5724 www.allianzlife.com [http://www.allianzlife.com/] Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America does not provide financial planning services. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America is not affiliated with PSCA. For plan sponsor use only - not intended for use with the public.