Research, news and events
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Retirement plan insights and industry events
Our clients often share that one of the most valuable aspects of their relationship with us is our understanding of the retirement plan industry and the investment landscape.
The Mesirow approach to private assets in defined contribution plans
Explore how Mesirow brings private equity, credit and real estate into DC target date funds to enhance outcomes.
Which asset classes are most beneficial in a portfolio?
This paper explores how diverse asset classes enhance portfolio efficiency and stability through mean variance optimization across varying risk levels.
Stable Value steps into the spotlight
Stable value offers the benefit of principal protection and potential superior risk-adjusted returns relative to cash and fixed-income investments.
Stable Value ā a perfect partner for equities
As a compliment to equities, stable value can provide better risk-adjusted outcomes than fixed income.
Out with the old and in with the new
This paper explores the impact of using trailing return to predict future performance. The results may not be what many investors expect.
One of these things is not like the others
Mesirow's target date glide path construction differs from the competition.
Target Date Funds
Overview of Target Date Fund glide paths and benchmarks, showing how asset allocations evolve across the lifecycle for QDIA retirement solutions.
Fifty years of broad-based international data
In this paper, we use 50 years of MSCI data to examine international investing in the context of asset allocation and mean variance optimization.
The most effective portfolio inflation hedges
This paper reviews strategies to hedge inflation risk, including TIPS, commodities, REITs, and select equity sectors, as traditional assets often underperform in high inflation.
Putting value on 'Peace of Mind'
We introduce a framework to evaluate Guaranteed Retirement Income products and compare them to strategies built from typical defined contribution plan investments.
The appropriate age for transition to managed accounts in a QDIA framework
In this paper, we review evidence of retirement under-saving and potential solutions, as well as empirical evidence regarding investor reaction to negative market returns.
GRI Product Allocations in a QDIA Framework
Most retirement savers both under-save for retirement and potentially face a serious return drag from sub-optimal, market chasing behavior ā Guaranteed Retirement Income (GRI) ā products can help.
The case for proactive re-enrollment as industry best practice
Auto-enrollment, auto-escalation and re-enrollment are best practices that improve participant outcomes, especially when implemented as opt-out features.
Events, webinars and videos
Mesirow hosts session on HSA's at SPARK
Vincent Vicidomini and Emily Griffin from Mesirow's Human Resources presented at the WEX SPARK Conference. Their session focused on how Health Savings Account (HSA) programs contribute to broader employee healthcare strategies and financial wellness.
Mesirow joined Paychex on a retirement plan trends webinar
Jason Bianchi joined Paychex on a webinar to discuss āOpportunities in the small plan retirement market for financial advisors.ā
Leaders in lifetime income
Chris OāNeill talks about the importance of integrating lifetime income into the default solution through custom target date funds that have a guaranteed income sleeve.
Inflation hedges: Portfolio implications
Financial assets tend to perform very poorly in high inflation environments, with negative inflation-adjusted (real) returns being the norm. This webinar reviews a variety of potential inflation hedge strategies including TIPS, specific equity sectors (like energy), commodities and REITs.
Mesirow shares insights into the value of HSAs
Jason Bianchi joined Melinda Caughill at the Broadridge 360 Advisor Summit in a discussion entitled Medicare & HSAs ā The Perfect Pairing for Retirement Planning. Jason shared insights into the value that HSAs offer to investors and their financial advisors.
Stable Value Funds: Benefits in an inflationary environment
This webinar explores the role that stable value investments play in a retirement portfolio in an inflationary and rising interest rate environment.
Mesirow shares insights into HSA investor trends
Keith Gustafson and Vincent Vicidomini joined WEX on stage during the Spark 2024 conference. Mesirow provided attendees with key insights into HSA investor trends, opportunities to modernize HSA investing and maximizing overall value for HSA investors.
Jason Bianchi discusses opportunities for retirement advisors
Jason Bianchi joined ePlan and Dimensional Fund Advisors in a panel discussion about the significant growth opportunities for financial advisors focusing on small-business retirement plans.
Mesirow participates in Retirement Income Forum
During the State Street Global Advisors Retirement Income Forum in Boston, Christopher O'Neill Ā was joined by Jimmy Veneruso, Head of DC product at SSGA to discuss the benefits and considerations of various insurance product types within the Guaranteed Retirement Income product landscape.