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Across the world, defined contribution has emerged as the dominant form of institutional retirement funding. And yet, with a few exceptions, DC plans offer a sub-optimal value proposition to their members. This is mainly because DC plans are trying to solve the wrong problem – maximising accumulated savings at the point of retirement. In this paper, we argue strongly that the purpose of DC is to support post-work consumption.
Events
Thinking Ahead Institute events
The Thinking Ahead Institute holds events throughout the year on various topics. See here for information on 2018 events, including agendas, pre-reading, slides, summaries and all other supporting documents.
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Stronger investment theory and practice
Bob Collie, head of research at the Thinking Ahead group, briefly exploring what this world view means for investors at the Institute’s Thinking Ahead Breakfast seminar on 2 October. This video is a shortened version of his presentation
About the Thinking Ahead Institute
The Thinking Ahead Institute is a global not-for-profit group whose aim is to influence change in the investment world for the better by improving the provision of savings. The Institute’s members comprise asset owners, investment managers and other groups that are motivated to influence the industry for the good of savers worldwide. It has over 40 members with combined responsibility for over US$12 trillion and is an outgrowth of Willis Towers Watson Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group.Latest insights
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The Thinking Ahead Institute's Asset Owner 100
The Asset Owner 100 is a new Thinking Ahead Institute study which gathers data on the total assets of the top 100 asset owners around the world. The study includes data on pension funds, outsourced CIOs (OCIOs), sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.
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Converting the 99
The Thinking Ahead Institute's long-horizon working group discussed this belief and based on working group discussions and further research proposed nine core long-horizon investing beliefs for investors to consider and adapt. This research paper looks at each belief in detail and how the investment community can adopt them in practice.
Research
Thinking Ahead Institute research
Based on your input, we have developed our 2018 research agenda, focusing on defined contribution, value creation, benchmarking and monitoring, decision making and VUCA. Each topic also has a dedicated working group or project.
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The renaissance investment professional
Roger Urwin, global head of investment content at Willis Towers Watson discussed the above at the Institute’s Thinking Ahead Breakfast seminar on 2 October. This video is a shortened version of his presentation and looks at the renaissance investment professional.