The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Retirement Plans
June 20, 2026
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9 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
Expanding 401(k) Access to Alternative Investments: Thinking Beyond Asset Allocation Funds“The Department of Labor released its highly anticipated proposed rule that aims to expand access to alternative investments by 401(k) and other individual account plans.”
In this issue
Expert Analysis (6) · Regulatory Action and Guidance (1) · Press Releases (2)
Expert Analysis
6 items“The Department of Labor released its highly anticipated proposed rule that aims to expand access to alternative investments by 401(k) and other individual account plans.” MORE >>
Source: davispolk.com
“Top of mind for plan sponsors is the growing complexity of liquidity, valuation and governance in private markets, according to Katie Klingensmith, chief investment strategist at Edelman Financial Engines and moderator of the company's recent webinar, "Private Assets in DC Plans: Questions Plan Sponsors Are Asking." ... "Illiquidity is a different type of risk. … The idea that there are situations where you might not be able to get your money back immediately is of interest to people, and this is where I think having advisers to help is important.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“The private equity industry does not merely prefer secrecy.It requires secrecy. Without opaque valuations, manipulated benchmarks, hidden fees, and misleading performance metrics, the industry’s excessive fee structure could not survive in a competitive marketplace.” MORE >>
Source: The Commonsense 401(k) Project
“A key conclusion from the discussion was that closing the advice gap will require more than a single product or policy change. It will take coordinated progress across the retirement ecosystem, including modernized policy infrastructure, responsible use of technology, and delivery models that can serve more savers without sacrificing personalization or consumer protections.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
“Among low-asset participants, nonpensioners spent an average of 47% of their assets in the first six years of retirement, compared with 12% losses for pension recipients. By 21 to 22 years after retirement, nonpensioners had depleted 89% of their assets, compared with 29% losses for pension recipients. Middle-asset participants at first shared similar savings losses—at 11 to 12 years after retirement, pensioners' savings had declined 18%, compared with 14% for nonpensioners.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“A Common Sense Framework for 401(k), 403(b), CIT, and Target-Date Fund Fiduciaries Introduction Private equity and other private-market investments are increasingly being pushed into participant-directed retirement plans through target-date funds, CITs, interval funds, evergreen vehicles, and semi-liquid wrappers.” MORE >>
Source: The Commonsense 401(k) Project
Regulatory Action and Guidance
1 item“Alert By Mark Jones, Colleen E. Lamarre, Jennifer L. Wong Alert By Mark Jones, Colleen E. Lamarre, Jennifer L. Wong 06.12.26 The U.S.” MORE >>
Source: pillsburylaw.com
Press Releases
2 items“FuturePlan by Ascensus today announced the launch of the PATH Pooled Employer Plan in collaboration with Voya Financial.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
“Pacific Life announced today the launch of Income Horizon, a retirement income-focused collective investment trust (CIT) series designed to help defined contribution (DC) plan participants accumulate guaranteed lifetime income during their retirement savings journey.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
Also of Note
- Semiliquid Fund Assets Double in 4 Years, While DC Plans Lag in Adoption — “While private markets continue to make waves in retirement plans and long-term investment trends, semiliquid funds are gaining market share as well, but lag in defined contribution plan adoption.” (PLANADVISER)
- Index Annuities Are a Scam — “When a salesman can make a $15,000 commission selling a $200,000 indexed annuity, common sense tells you something is wrong.” (The Commonsense 401(k) Project)
- Private and Digital Assets Certificate Program Revealed by NAPA — “Recent regulatory shifts are making alternative assets more accessible in DC plans, including a recent White House Executive Order aimed at expanding access to private and digital assets in 401(k) plans.” (401(k) Specialist)