In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable™, Rick Unser speaks with Jack Weingart, Chief Financial Officer of TPG, a leading global private equity firm. They examine how macroeconomic shifts, technological advancements like AI, and a declining number of public companies are shaping private equity investment strategies. The discussion also touches on the role of institutional investors and the growing interest in making private equity accessible through workplace retirement plans. Jack offers a thoughtful perspective on long-term capital deployment and the future of private markets.
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Mike Arone, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Global Advisors. Together, they break down key insights from Q1 2025, including the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainty, current economic indicators, and the potential risks facing investors. The conversation also explores how international markets are performing relative to the U.S., as well as emerging trends in capital allocation and investment strategy — particularly in the context of retirement planning.
Rick and Mike take a closer look at the evolving role of private equity in retirement portfolios, the liquidity challenges that come with it, and the importance of real assets in building diversified long-term strategies. They also touch on recent shifts in investor behavior amid market volatility and reinforce the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to investing.
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, Rick Unser is joined by Todd Solomon, ERISA Attorney and partner at McDermott Will, & Emery Law Firm, for a timely conversation on the evolving fiduciary landscape. They explore trends in ERISA litigation, the impact of the current administration on the Department of Labor, and the shifting expectations around fiduciary duties.
Key topics include the balance between duty of loyalty and prudence, the role of participant demographics in plan decisions, and the challenges plan sponsors face in weighing cost versus value—especially when selecting investments like target date funds. Todd and Rick also highlight the importance of thoughtful documentation, proactive committee engagement, and innovative strategies to improve participant outcomes in today’s complex regulatory environment.
In this episode of 401(k) Roundtable, host Rick Unser and Alison Cohen, ERISA Attorney and Partner at Ferenczy Benefits Law Center, explore nondiscrimination testing in retirement plans, focusing on long-term part-time employees and new Roth contribution guidelines. They discuss the mega backdoor Roth risks, capping highly compensated employee deferrals, student loan matching, and compliance challenges for controlled groups during mergers. The conversation also covers automatic enrollment rules and audit implications based on new rules.
For more insights, visit Ferenczy Benefits Law Center’s resources and articles:
In this episode of the 401(k) Roundtable™, we’re joined by Rich Weiss, Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Strategies for American Century Investments and Bob Chapman, Chief People Officer of Trilon Group. They dive into the current state of the investment landscape and focus on the performance of U.S. equities, particularly the S&P 500, and the growing concerns over market concentration. The discussion touches on how generational perspectives influence investment decisions, the impact of interest rates on the economy, and the shifting dynamics of the labor market in a post-pandemic world. Additionally, the episode explores the role of technology and AI in reshaping financial services and the broader economy, as well as the uncertainty surrounding business investments heading into 2025. The hosts also delve into the speculative nature of cryptocurrency and its potential place in 401(k) plans, stressing the importance of diversification in retirement investment strategies.