Defined contribution record keepers continued to focus on financial wellness, cybersecurity and digital engagement in 2018 — a year in which assets under administration rose nearly 8%.

The nation's largest pension fund, CalPERS, is expanding its research on ESG issues.

Financial wellness programs are on the rise, but concerns over participation and measurement of value persist.

ESG integration is on the rise in the U.S., with climate change, gender diversity and weapons capturing significant investor attention.

Eli Bloshtein was named interim chief investment officer of Cook Children's Health Care System.

University of Houston System committed or invested $57.5 million total with six managers on behalf of its $572 million endowment.

Just over 70% of employers are confident employees will be able to achieve financial security in retirement vs. only 62% of employees.

Ascensus is acquiring third-party administration firm PenSys.

DC plan executives and record keepers view "gamification" as way to drive employee engagement and financial literacy.

Executives at startups like Long Game and MindBlown Labs see value in using games to drive positive savings behavior.

The Chicago teachers pension fund prohibited investments in private prison companies and businesses that operate immigration child detention centers.

Board composition and executive compensation were prominent themes in Vanguard's engagements with global companies in the 2018 proxy year.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto making it optional for employers to participate in the state's Secure Choice program.

A lawsuit filed over Kentucky's 2018 pension reform law will be heard by the state's Supreme Court on Sept. 20.

DC plan executives' top concerns are helping employees prepare for retirement, retaining top workers and reducing plan-related costs.

Molex Inc. hired Alight Solutions as service provider of its 401(k) plan, replacing Fidelity.

Kentucky Retirement Systems returned a net 8.57% on its pension fund assets in the fiscal year ended June 30, topping its 7.91% benchmark.

Forty-three percent of U.S. asset owners have incorporated ESG factors into their investment decisions, up from 37% in 2017.

Houston Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund allocated up to $212 million total to four managers.

Leveraging participant data to create meaningful insights comes with its share of challenges, record keepers said.

DC providers are adding and refining data tools to help plan executives and consultants access and analyze participant data.

Non-profit groups As You Sow and CODEPINK are offering a tool to help investors track weapons exposure in mutual funds.

A shareholder proposal has been withdrawn at Cardinal Health after the company agreed to disclose measures it is taking related to the opioid crisis.

Ben E. Keith Co. hired Empower Retirement as provider of its new 401(k) plan and existing profit-sharing plan.

Ascensus is acquiring third-party administration firm 401k Plus.