Retirement systems are undergoing a structural shift as traditional pensions decline and individuals take on greater responsibility for financial outcomes. Longer lifespans and evolving capital markets are making retirement planning more complex and consequential.

Oscar Pulido speaks with Nick Nefouse, Global Head of Retirement Solutions at BlackRock. They discuss how defined contribution plans, target date funds, and regulatory changes are reshaping how individuals save, invest, and prepare for retirement.

The conversation explores how retirement is moving from a focus on accumulation to income generation, particularly during the “retirement window.” It also highlights how global systems are converging toward similar models, and how innovation—across portfolio construction, private markets, and guaranteed income—is influencing long-term outcomes.

Key insights:

· How the shift from pensions to defined contribution plans is changing investor responsibility

· Why longevity is reshaping retirement timelines and financial planning needs

· How target date funds are simplifying access to capital markets for individuals

· What the “retirement window” reveals about diverging investor outcomes

· Where global retirement systems are converging despite regional differences

· How income generation is becoming central to retirement portfolio design

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Key moments in this episode:

00:00 Introduction to retirement trends

02:00 Shift from pensions to defined contribution plans

04:30 The role of target date funds and regulation

6:00 The retirement “window” and investor behavior

8:00 Expanding access to retirement plans

10:00 Global retirement system comparisons

14:00 Retirement vs. wealth management convergence

16:00 Market volatility and long-term investing

18:00 The future of retirement systems and innovation

Sources: BlackRock Retirement Trends Report, 2025; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “Pension or 401(k)? Retirement Plan Trends in the U.S. Workplace,” 2025

retirement trends, retirement planning, defined contribution, 401k, target date funds, longevity, financial planning, investing,

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