Retirement Plan Design

In 2006, the University of Iowa changed its retirement plan default investment from a money market fund to a target date fund—and the resulting effect on participant behavior was significant.

If policymakers fail to act, Social Security benefits, which provide the largest portion of retirement income for many Americans, will be cut by about 25% starting in 2035.

Short-term appointments in the academic workforce account for roughly two thirds of all faculty positions. Yet little is known about this segment’s financial needs, experiences and professional stability.

Behavioral researchers have explored a variety of potential “nudges” designed to increase retirement savings. But selecting from among different approaches can be surprisingly difficult.

The starting age for required minimum distributions from tax-qualified retirement plans was raised in 2019 from 70.5 to 72. How might this change affect household financial behavior?

Recognizing households’ needs for flexibility, while discouraging overconsumption, how much liquidity should be built into a socially optimal savings system?

Automatic enrollment has proven to be a powerful means of encouraging retirement plan participation in the private sector.

Some adjuncts appear to be unaware of their eligibility to participate in a retirement savings plan at the college or university where they work.

Retirement plans differ in whether employee or employer contributions are mandated, leaving a critical role for voluntary contributions.