Executives who spearheaded campaigns that took new approaches to solving old problems in workplace retirement plans won top honors at the 11th annual Excellence & Innovation Awards, sponsored jointly by Pensions & Investments and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association.
In a ceremony held Oct. 25 as part of P&I's DC West Conference in Carlsbad, Calif., both P&I and DCIIA recognized seven individuals – and one team – for diverse campaigns featuring everything from qualified longevity annuity contracts, or QLACs, to Social Security claiming strategies. Other winning efforts included tiered non-discretionary employer contributions that rewarded lower-paid employees more than they did higher-paid employees.
Some of the winners earned notice for bold moves, such as using target-date funds as a vehicle through which to spice up their retirement plans with things like QLACs and private-market investments. Others were recognized for overhauling their retirement plans and adding modern design features.
The winners:
- Kim Olson, Wespath Benefits and Investments
- Hunter Bethea, Tennessee Treasury Department
- Retirement Team, American Express Co.
- Marco Merz and Hyun Swanson, University of California
- Christopher Moss, Sonoco
- Allyson Tucker, Washington State Investment Board
- Karla Kirkling, Chicago Public Schools
