The conversation around retirement today is a noisy one. Retirement advisors are bombarded with data, opinions, and supposed solutions. That's why they need an experienced retirement source that breaks through the noise and makes the issues and the solutions clear, so they can focus on what matters - their clients.
This fall, we convened some of the industry’s top thinkers and decision-makers for a conversation on the future of retirement. Today’s market environment of prolonged volatility and inflation is making saving for retirement more challenging. The looming question is whether retirement plans can build resilience amid this uncertainty – especially as longevity increases and everyday Americans are left to fund increasingly longer retirements.
But as Tyler Neenan, Head of Intermediary-sold External Sales within BlackRock's Retirement Group, told attendees, “While it feels like our industry is contending with more complexities than ever, this moment also presents opportunities for differentiation – especially when we work together.” As we saw throughout the two-day Summit, there are several levers we can pull to help build more resilient investment solutions to help more Americans retire on their own terms.
In the spirit of delivering clear, concise insights that break through the noise, we outline the top three takeaways and themes from the 2023 BlackRock Retirement Advisor Summit in the official recap report.
1. It’s time to act on active
Big structural shifts – from the pandemic and population aging to geopolitical tensions and the energy crisis – have ushered in a new market regime that is characterized by inflation pressure, cross-asset volatility, and interest rate uncertainty.
2. Income is incoming
Throughout the Summit, retirement income was a hot topic – and panelists were eager to discuss both the range of solutions and how savers can make the most of what they have.
3. Staying a step ahead
Navigating industry trends can feel like a full-time job. From advancements in technology and more personalized solutions to alternatives in defined contribution and ESG, our Summit speakers shared a wide range of opinions on what’s overblown and what’s the real deal.
Whether it’s redesigning portfolios to weather the new market regime, innovating solutions to address longevity risk, or getting ahead of key emerging trends, we can deliver so much value for clients and the hardworking people they serve – if we stand together.
Download the full report below for a complete summary of what we heard and the potential actions ahead.
