The allocator landscape in 2026

Learn how pensions, insurers, and others are allocating their money

Explore what forces are shaping the investment landscape for pensions, insurers, endowments, SWFs, and family offices today. Industry leaders offer insights on trends, resiliency, new tools, and more for allocators navigating today's environment.

Pensions

2026 Corporate Defined Benefit Peer Study and Survey (NEPC)

A comprehensive snapshot of the health, trends, and key themes dominating the universe of corporate DB plans.

Annual Pension Review: "First Take" (Goldman Sachs AM)

U.S. corporate DB plans are in a position of relative strength, but the volatile start to 2026 is a reminder of the need for a sound risk management strategy.

Pension Funding Index April 2026 (Milliman)

A negative investment return of -3.5% in March caused a $233 billion drop in funded status for the largest U.S. public pension plans.

Endowments & foundations

The Playbook for Building a Mid-Sized Endowment (Capital Allocators)

What does it take to build a portfolio from the ground up? One endowment CIO’s approach – and lessons learned along the way.

How Much Endowment Liquidity Is Too Much? (NBOA)

How endowments can think about liquidity needs and weigh the inherent trade-offs between liquidity and returns.

Philanthropic Archives and Legacy (Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy)

Why is philanthropic archiving important for foundations? How do they implement it – and navigate the challenges that impede implementation?

Sovereign wealth funds

2026 Asia Playbook (Global SWF)

A deep dive into the landscape, state-owned investors, and latest developments in each of the 36 territories across Asia.

Investment Trends among Sovereign Wealth Funds (State Street IM)

SWFs are turning back to private markets while reducing fixed income allocations. What’s driving this trend?

Investor Resilience through Market Shifts & Uncertainty (IFSWF)

How are sovereign wealth funds positioning themselves for resiliency in today’s more fragmented global environment?

Insurers

Life and Health Insurance M&A: Review and Outlook for 2026 (Milliman)

The number of life and health insurance M&A deals stayed steady in 2025, but deal value rose by 150%. Why the surge in value, and will it continue?

Private Market Solutions for Insurers (StepStone)

What is insurance company owned life insurance (ICOLI) and how can it help insurers looking to increase their allocations to private markets?

How Global Insurers Are Responding to Rising Physical Risk (MSCI)

As the frequency and costs of physical risks grow, how are insurers adapting to become more resilient for themselves and for a society that depends on them?

Private wealth & family offices

Risks for Europe of U.S. Dominance of Global Asset Management (Bruegel)

U.S. asset managers’ share of the European market is rising, surpassing the growth of European players. Does that matter for Europe?

Hong Kong's Family Office Regime: What You Need to Know (Dentons)

As Hong Kong has emerged as one of the leading destinations for single-family offices in Asia, so have legislative and regulatory developments.

Apocalypse or Renaissance: AI and the Advisor (Investments & Wealth Institute)

The financial advice industry will be reshaped by AI, just as most others will be.