The Markets

In a reversal of the past four months, participants of defined contribution (DC) retirement plans favored fixed-income investments in February, according to Aon Hewitt’s 401(k) Index.

Defined benefit plan sponsors have a window of opportunity to take action on pension risk.

The latest release of the Milliman Pension Funding Index, which tracks performance at the largest U.S. private pension plans, shows February brought moderate funded status improvements despite falling...

One retirement plan service provider says collective investment trusts (CITs) can be a powerful answer to demand for customized target-date vehicles and less expensive investment strategies.

The head of retirement at J.P. Morgan Asset Management says his firm is seeing considerable, yet largely unmet demand for guidance about withdrawals and spending in retirement.

The funded status of the typical U.S. corporate pension plan improved 1.7% in February to reach 92.6%, as most asset classes gained during the month.

Estimated funding levels of pension plans sponsored by S&P 1500 companies fell 2% in February to 87%.

In a stronger position, new choices are being made in the management of pensions in Russell Investments’ $20 billion club.

The Dietrich Pension Risk Transfer Index fell nearly three points in February to 95.33.

Investors around the world contributed almost $1 trillion in net flows to investment funds during 2013, similar to levels observed in the preceding year.

The cost of purchasing pension buyout annuities from an insurer remained level during January, at 108.5% of the accounting liability, but the cost of maintaining the liability ticked...

Changes in bond market conditions and institutional portfolio strategies are driving the largest U.S. investors to add more exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—especially those built on fixed-income investments.

A greater focus on participant outcomes and their own fiduciary responsibilities may be leading more plan sponsors to adopt managed accounts for their retirement plans.

Mercer introduced a multi-country third-party insurer buyout pricing study.

John Hancock Investments is seeing defined contribution (DC) retirement plan clients add alternative mutual funds to their menu of investment options at a rapid pace.

Institutional investors working with Towers Watson more than doubled asset flows moving into “smart beta” strategies last year, reaching $11 billion of inflows in 2013.

Over 80% of institutional investors expect risk management to play an even greater role in the investment decision process in the future, says a new study.

The retirement industry has shifted its focus from accumulation to income in retirement, changing the way tools present readiness and income projection.

New analysis from State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) shows smart beta strategies, designed to take advantage of both active and passive investing principals, are gaining popularity.

The Towers Watson Pension Index dropped 5.1% in January.