Pensions & Investments launched its annual survey of the 1,000 largest retirement plans in the U.S. earlier this month.
P&I has published a special report based on this survey annually since 1974. The data gathered on what has been a tumultuous year for retirement plans will inform stories by the staff on the latest trends in defined benefit and defined contribution investing in the Feb. 8, 2021, issue.
Questionnaires were sent to more than 1,300 plan sponsors in P&I's database. The largest 1,000 will be identified in the coming months from completed questionnaires, follow-up phone calls and emails, and database searches.
Plan sponsors with combined U.S. pension and DC plan assets of $1.3 billion or more are eligible. To request a survey or obtain further information, please contact Anthony Scuderi at [email protected] or 212-210-0140, or visit pionline.com/section/surveys. Plan sponsors that complete the survey can have access to the data in P&I's Research Center database.
The survey generally covers the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2020. In cases where no information is provided from the plan sponsor, or the data are older than June 30, 2020, P&I will calculate estimates to Sept. 30.
There are a few new questions this year to reflect emerging trends and areas of interest. The question on whether a DB plan incorporates ESG factors into the portfolio management process now has two subsequent questions on how much is invested under ESG principles and how much is invested in ESG mandates.
Similarly, while past surveys asked whether DB plans have a policy of encouraging the hiring of money managers owned by women, minorities, the disabled and veterans, this year P&I is asking how much is invested with those managers and how many managers are on the roster.
Finally, in light of Department of Labor guidance allowing DC plans to include certain private equity strategies into diversified investment options, a question has been added on how much is invested in private equity in DC plans.
Also, a comments box has been added to the end of the survey where plan sponsors can voluntarily note any substantial changes in their data from the year before.
