The retirement landscape in 2026

Demographics, government debt, and AI are changing retirement

With pension and retirement assets nearing $70 trillion globally, these investments play a significant role in financial markets – and vice versa. From plan design and regulatory changes to new tools and solutions for plan sponsors and participants, to market outlooks and asset owner perspectives, this collection of insights covers a wide range of topics impacting the retirement landscape today.

U.S. retirement landscape

After the Annuity: Managing the Effects of Pension Lift-Outs (Metlife IM)

Understanding the trade-offs of lift-outs can help mitigate their potential impacts.

Top Insights Into Retirement Plan Design for 2026 (Fidelity Investments)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

How can plan sponsors build better benefits strategies for 2026 and beyond?

Private Capital: Tailwinds for Growth in U.S. DC Plans (Deloitte)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

The integration of private capital into U.S. DC plans marks a structural shift in retirement investment.

The Evolution of Dynamic QDIAs (PGIM)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

What are dynamic qualified default investment alternatives, and how can they benefit investors and sponsors?

2026 Retirement Outlook: Key Considerations for Plan Sponsors (MFS)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in the United States

The latest research for plan sponsors on market outlooks, participant expectations, regulatory and legislative trends, life expectancy, and more.

European retirement landscape

Forward-Looking Labor Supply: Lessons from Poland’s Pension Reform (VoxEU)

Poland’s 1999 pension reform is a case study for how pension incentives affect work decisions far from the retirement age.

Pension Funds Letter 26 - Funding Autonomy & Accelerating Reform (Amundi)

For compliance reasons, this paper is NOT accessible in the United States

A close look at fixed income and pension transition in Europe, along with capital market assumptions, in a world adapting to rupture.

Accounting for Pensions: Surplus in the Spotlight (LCP)

For compliance reasons, this paper is only accessible in certain geographies

How pensions have moved from a principal risk to a significant opportunity.

Private Pension Reform in Germany – A Bold Move (Deutsche Bank)

Beyond the individual benefits, stronger funded pensions could have positive knock-on effects on the broader economy.

ROW retirement landscape

Do Superannuation Funds Adequately Disclose Unlisted Investments Risks? (ANU)

Annual report disclosures suggest reliance on outside managers’ valuations for assessing the fair value of unlisted assets.

Public versus Private Real Estate in Pension Plan Portfolios

Why do public pensions allocate 1% of their portfolios to REITs and 8% to commercial real estate when REITs have clearly outperformed?

Asset Owner Perspectives Survey 2026 Qualitative Insights (Morningstar Indexes)

What interviews from around the world revealed about the global investment outlook, private markets, sustainable investments, and the use of AI.

Webinar takeaways

Increase Liquidity with Higher and Differentiated Income (Calamos Investments)

A persistent shortfall in meeting higher income targets to maintain long-term obligations has accelerated interest in structured income solutions.