Research Study
First Findings
Advancing the Way We Think About Perceptions of Risk and Achieving Outcomes
T. Rowe Price Study Reveals Defined Contribution Plan Sponsors' Evolving Views of Retirement Related Risks and Objectives
T. Rowe Price surveyed U.S. defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors to gain a deeper understanding of their attitudes about the risks that their plan participants face as they seek to achieve retirement objectives and how those views are prioritized in the sponsor’s investment selection process.
We are particularly interested in how DC plan sponsors and consultants think about sequence-of-returns (SoR) risk―the risk of low or negative returns early in a participant’s withdrawal period―and how those views are considered relative to long-term outcomes.
We believe that consideration of SoR risk must be placed within a broader perspective, one that takes into account multiple retirement risks, including the possibility that lower equity glide paths used as a means to “protect” against SoR risk may fail to accumulate adequate savings at retirement. This includes leading up to and into retirement, as people are living longer and retirement savings often need to last decades into retirement. A lower equity glide path may have a material impact on the potential growth trajectory of the participant’s underlying balance. These factors suggest that plan sponsors and their consultants should consider the potential trade-offs between short-term downside control and long-term growth when selecting qualified default investment alternatives (QDIAs) such as target date solutions.
Longevity Risk Takes Precedence Over the Risk of Balance Instability in QDIA Selection
Q. Which is most influential when choosing an asset allocation solution (e.g., a target date strategy or other QDIA) for participants?
Nearly two-thirds of plan sponsors identified long-term income potential as the key investment objective driving their selection of target date strategy offerings and other QDIAs.
Top Risk Concerns Are Retirement-Related, Not Market-Related
When plan sponsors were asked to rank the risks they are most concerned about for their participants, longevity risk and participant behavior were the top two selected. In fact, a large majority of plan sponsors listed longevity risk in their top three concerns (95%). This suggests that plan fiduciaries are focused on supporting the long-term retirement readiness of their participants.
Top Concern, Plan Sponsors
42%
Longevity risk
25%
Participant behavioral risk
14%
Downside risk
12%
Volatility risk
7%
Inflation risk
More than two-thirds of respondents disagreed with the statement that it is more important to manage potential short-term reductions in account balances versus seeking to maximize long-term balances and income flows.
Managing Longevity Risk With Growth-Oriented Asset Allocation Seen as Key
Given the high importance that most respondents assigned to longevity risk, which strategies were most likely to be offered to address it?
- 45% said they were most likely to offer target date strategies or other QDIAs with glide paths that pursue growth both to and through retirement.
- 5% were most likely to include some type of guaranteed income product (such as deferred annuities or qualified longevity annuity contracts) within portfolio construction. Only 2% indicated they are likely to offer managed withdrawal strategies calibrated to market fluctuations.
- 23% were most likely to offer a combination of a growth-oriented QDIA path and a managed withdrawal strategy calibrated to market fluctuations.
- 20% were most likely to offer a growth-oriented QDIA glide path combined with income guarantees.
Reducing Sequence-of-Returns Risk Requires Trade-Offs
The vast majority of respondents agreed that asset allocation and participant cash flow behaviors both can help manage SoR risk. However, most recognized that efforts to mitigate SoR risk through asset allocation could have unintended consequences, including a potential reduction of retirement income.
A majority of respondents (60%) agreed that “the cost of mitigating downside risk and portfolio volatility is a reduced expected withdrawal amount through retirement.”
A Primary Focus on All Active Participants When Selecting QDIAs
A relatively heterogeneous participant population adds a level of complexity to sponsor decision-making when identifying suitable QDIAs.
78%
78% of plan sponsors said they focus on needs of the full active population when selecting target date strategies or other QDIAs for their plans. This focus underscores the need for a longterm view, solutions based on robust methodology, and tools to address a diverse set of needs.
22%
Only 22% of plan sponsors said they target a specific cohort (such as early- or mid-career participants, those nearing retirement, or retirees or inactive participants) when making such decisions.
Most Sponsors Would Like Retirees to Keep Their Assets in the Plan
The majority of plan sponsors surveyed were decidedly in favor of retaining participant account balances after retirement.
The fact that 29% said that it has become more of a priority to maintain participant account balances in the plan at retirement reveals that plan sponsors are more focused on the work that goes into plan setup, leveraging the scale and buying power achieved for their participants, and are indicating the desire to be part of the journey into retirement.
An Objectives-Based Philosophy That Focuses on the Complete Retirement Life Cycle
Might plan sponsors be able to serve their participants better by focusing on the complete retirement life cycle and identifying solutions accordingly?
T. Rowe Price’s objective in conducting this survey was to advance how plan sponsors think about risk and outcomes―both of which are critical inputs in the assessment of any default offering. It is important to have greater awareness of the trade-offs embedded in plan sponsor choices.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
T. Rowe Price’s survey was sponsored by Pension & Investments magazine (P&I), and conducted from January 29 through February 20, 2018, by Signet Research, a marketing research firm. The survey universe consisted of members of P&I’s Research Advisory Panel, a list of plan sponsors and consultants selected from the P&I database, and a list of financial advisors provided by T. Rowe Price. A total of 337 responses were received from 266 plan sponsor officials, 45 plan consultants, three financial advisors, and 23 other individuals active in the DC plan market. Respondents participated via online surveys and were offered a chance to win prize awards as incentives for their participation. T. Rowe Price designed the survey questions and is solely responsible for the interpretation of the results.
Article Resources
Advancing the Way We Think About Perceptions of Risk
Important Information
This material is provided for informational purposes only is not intended to provide legal, tax, or investment advice. This material does not provide fiduciary recommendations concerning investments; it is not individualized to the needs of any specific benefit plan or retirement investor, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for investment decision-making.
The views contained herein are those of the authors as of May 2018 and are subject to change without notice; these views may differ from those of other T. Rowe Price associates.
This information is not intended to reflect a current or past recommendation, investment advice of any kind, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or investment services. The opinions and commentary provided do not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any particular investor or class of investor. Investors will need to consider their own circumstances before making an investment decision.
Information contained herein is based upon sources we consider to be reliable; we do not, however, guarantee its accuracy.
Past performance cannot guarantee future results. All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. All charts and tables are shown for illustrative purposes only.
T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., distributor.
T. ROWE PRICE, INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE, and the bighorn sheep design are, collectively and/or apart, trademarks of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. © 2018 T. Rowe Price. All rights reserved.
ID0001440
201806-526667