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Fiduciary Duty, Participant Engagement & Personalization w/ Katrina Berishaj | Tao of Chao 30
Manage episode 486935089 series 3457350
How well do employers really know their plan participants — and are they using that data in participants' best interests?
In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Katrina Berishaj, Chair of ERISA and Employee Benefits at Stradley Ronon, for a deep discussion on the evolving responsibilities of fiduciaries, especially in the defined contribution plan space.
They explore how employers and advisors can meet their fiduciary obligations more effectively — not just by offering plans, but by understanding their participants' needs, behaviors, and goals.
Katrina shares actionable insights into:
- Why participant engagement remains a persistent barrier to retirement readiness
- The increasing value of employer-held data — and the ethical obligation to use it-
How managed accounts and personalized investment solutions are evolving
- The risks of failing to adapt: from liability to participant detriment
- Where financial institutions are making strides (and where they’re still falling short)
This thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for plan sponsors, advisors, and anyone navigating the future of retirement plans.
🔗 Listen now for a grounded, expert take on fiduciary strategy and the human side of retirement planning.
👓 Learn more about our GUEST
Katrina Berishaj
Chair of ERISA & Employee Benefits
Stradley Ronon
👓 Learn more about our HOST
Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn
DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.
Chapters
1. Coming up... (00:00:00)
2. Introducing Katrina Berishaj (00:00:33)
3. Katrina's new role (00:01:39)
4. State of Fiduciary in 2025 (00:03:26)
5. Personalization in Retirement Solutions (00:05:37)
6. Engagement and Participant Education (00:08:00)
7. Utilizing Data for Better Outcomes (00:08:40)
8. Overcoming Barriers in Retirement Planning (00:12:00)
9. Fiduciary obligation to employer data? (00:17:46)
10. 2013 guidance on Target Date Funds (00:20:17)
11. Fears of using employee data (00:21:29)
12. Inertia and Innovation in Retirement Solutions (00:23:35)
13. Leadership and Fiduciary Responsibility (00:25:03)
14. Shifts in Financial Institutions' Approaches (00:27:16)
15. Managed Accounts vs. Target Date Funds (00:29:05)
16. Understanding Costs and Value in Financial Products (00:29:42)
17. Evolution of personalized target date funds (00:33:50)
18. Managing Risks in Retirement Planning / Lifetime Income (00:39:19)
19. The Need for Participant Education (00:42:24)
20. Role of Personalization in Financial Planning (00:44:12)
21. Wrapping up (00:48:16)
22. EoS (00:48:46)
23. Legal Disclaimer (00:49:14)
33 episodes
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