Conference Dispatch - Panels on the Post-SECURE World and the Advent of Alternatives in DC

On October 21, the second day of the DC Institute's Virtual Washington Conference, we heard from two high-level panels on the topics of the post-SECURE legislative and regulatory outlook and if it's finally time for alternative investing shine in the DC space. 

Our first panel consisted of moderator Jack VanDerhei, Research Director at Employee Benefit Research Institute, and panelists Kara Getz, Counselor to the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways & Means, Neil Lloyd, Head US DC & Financial Wellness Research at Mercer, and Nathaniel Miles, Head of Retirement at Wells Fargo Asset Management. The panel discussed the various provisions of the SECURE Act that had caught the eyes of plan sponsors, from the fiduciary safe harbor provided for annuities to the future prospects of the MEP/PEP structure for large plan sponsors, as well as a preview of what Kara referred to as "SECURE 2.0". 

Our second panel also touched on fiduciary concerns for incorporating alternative investing, consisting of moderator Jon Pliner, Director, Portfolio Manager at Willis Towers Watson and panelists Alain Michnick, Head of Defined Contribution, Asset Owner and Consultant Group at FTSE Russell and Michelle Rappa, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman.

For the full recording of day 2 of the virtual event, please access the recording here.