2027 PLANSPONSOR National Conference

JW Marriott Nashville |
REGISTER NOW

About

The annual PLANSPONSOR National Conference is the must-attend event for finance and human resource professionals committed to elevating their role as a retirement plan fiduciary. PLANSPONSOR’s mission remains clear: to equip attendees with the timely education, actionable insights and practical strategies they need to stay ahead—whether as to evolving industry trends, regulatory and legislative changes, or optimal practices in plan administration and investments.

The 2027 conference will, as always, bring together a dynamic cross section of the retirement plan community—plan sponsors, advisers, providers, industry leaders and legal experts—for an engaging program of interactive workshops, expert-led presentations and thought-provoking panel discussions. Together, we will explore the latest innovations shaping retirement readiness and financial wellness, helping employees achieve a stronger financial future.

Beyond the learning experience, the 2027 PLANSPONSOR National Conference will offer unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers, build meaningful relationships and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals. The event will also celebrate excellence across the industry, culminating in the prestigious Excellence in Retirement Awards, where we honor the outstanding achievements of plan sponsors and providers.


2027 PLANSPONSOR National Conference Begins In

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Highlights Include…

Excellence in Retirement Awards

Monday, June 7, 2027

Plan sponsors and the recordkeepers, investment managers and retirement plan advisers and consultants that support them will set aside corporate goals and gather to cheer on each other’s success! The 2027 Plan Sponsor of the Year finalists will be recognized, and the winners announced. We’ll also recognize providers named DC Survey Standouts and provider staff chosen as Service Stars.

Our Advisory Board

Deanna Allison – Director of Benefits, Well-Being and Financial Programs, Bread Financial

Judy Bobilya-Feher – Chief Financial Officer, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries

Thayla Bohn – SVP, Corporate and Human Resources, American Fidelity Companies

Darbi Buchanan – Director of 401(k) Services, WorkSmart Systems, Inc.

Tim Byrd – VP Retirement Benefits and Education, NC State Employees’ Credit Union

Monica DeAgostino – Senior Director, Compensation & Benefits, Dairy Management Inc.

Shaynan Garrioch – Chief Human Resources Officer, The Culinary Institute of America

Adelia Soremekun – Senior Director, Total Rewards, The Jackson Laboratory

Allison Wardlaw – Plan Development and Compliance Director, Michigan Office of Retirement Services

Brian Williamson – Director, Benefits & Retirement Programs, Avangrid

agenda

Sunday, June 6, 2027

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

Day 1
Employee Financial Wellness
The Role of Health Benefits
Day 2
Day 3
Print Agenda

Day 1

  1. 7:30 – 8:50 a.m.

    Breakfast and Registration

  2. 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

    Plan Sponsor Meet-Up
    With structured conversations and activities, this is a great time to network with peers prior to the start of the conference, as well as prior to the Plan Sponsor Idea Exchanges on the last morning. Find those who sponsor plans of the same type and size as yours. Share what challenges you face, accomplishments you’ve made, and the kind of benefits you hope to gain from the conference. If you travelled solo to the conference, find some lunch buddies!

  3. 9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

    Opening Remarks

  4. 9:10 – 10:00 a.m.

    State of the Retirement Plan Industry
    Representatives from the retirement plan ecosystem talk about developments across the industry—changes, challenges, opportunities and possible predictions for the future.

  5. 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

    Litigation Report
    Hear from experts about the trends in legal actions affecting retirement plan sponsors and advisers; learn what the decisions mean for sponsors—and what new targets plaintiffs’ attorneys might have. Find out how to protect yourself.

  6. 11:00 – 11:15 a.m.

    Break

  7. 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

    Washington Update
    Our annual deep dive into the latest retirement-plan-related legislation and regulations, offering practical lessons and insights for plan sponsors.

  8. 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

    Sponsored — Mainstage

  9. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

    Lunch

  10. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

    Immersive Workshop 1: Employee Financial Wellness

    Immersive Workshop 2: The Role of Health Benefits

    (See separate workshop tabs above for the agendas.)

  11. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

    Cocktail Reception

  12. 6:30 p.m.

    Excellence in Retirement Awards

Employee Financial Wellness Workshop

  1. 2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

    Opening Remarks

  2. 2:10 – 3:00 p.m.

    Participants Need the Money Now
    Rising debt, housing costs and educational expenses are making it harder for many employees to save for retirement. This session will discuss how evolving legislation is expanding the role of retirement plans and how sponsors can align plan design with the unique needs and goals of their workforce.

  3. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

    From Benefits to Behavior: What Drives Employee Financial Well-Being?
    Employers are investing in emergency savings programs, student loan assistance, financial coaching and educational resources as well as retirement plans. Yet many employees remain financially stressed and overwhelmed. What separates programs that generate real outcomes from those that see little engagement? Explore how plan sponsors can identify workforce needs, personalize communications, measure success and create a culture that supports better financial decisions.

  4. 4:00 – 4:10 p.m.

    Break

  5. 4:10 – 5:00 p.m.

    Financial Wellness Show and Tell
    Plan sponsors and others demonstrate strategies they’ve used successfully to help employees with financial wellness needs.

  6. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

    Cocktail Reception

  7. 6:30 p.m.

    Excellence in Retirement Awards

The Role of Health Benefits Workshop

  1. 2:00 – 2:10 p.m.

    Opening Remarks

  2. 2:10 – 3:00 p.m.

    Health Benefits and Fiduciary Duties
    Learn how to apply fiduciary processes and transparency to healthcare programs, as you have for your retirement plan.

  3. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

    Healthcare Costs in Retirement
    Panelists will discuss employees’ savings needs for medical and related expenses in retirement, including what Medicare covers, and how plan sponsors can educate participants.

  4. 4:00 – 4:10 p.m.

    Break

  5. 4:10 – 5:00 p.m.

    FSAs, HRAs, ICHRAs and HSAs
    Get familiar with the alphabet soup of health accounts for employees. Learn the rules for flex spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts and how to determine the most appropriate offerings for your workforce.

  6. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

    Cocktail Reception

  7. 6:30 p.m.

    Excellence in Retirement Awards

Day 2

  1. 7:00 – 8:10 a.m.

    Breakfast

  2. 8:10 – 8:15 a.m.

    Opening Remarks

  3. 8:15 – 9:00 a.m.

    From Plan Administrator to Strategic Leader
    With interactive exercises, learn how to influence decisionmakers, communicate complex ideas with confidence, build support for plan initiatives, and strengthen your role as a strategic partner within your organization.

  4. 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

    Sponsored — Mainstage

  5. 9:50 – 10:15 a.m.

    Break

  6. 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Is There a Better Way? Options for Plan Design
    As employers seek new ways to attract talent, improve retirement outcomes and manage fiduciary duties, interest is growing in alternatives to traditional defined contribution plans. This session will examine emerging plan structures, such as pooled employer plans, and reviving interest in cash balance plans—including the potential benefits and drawbacks of each type, when they make sense and what organizations should evaluate before making a change.

  7. 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Real Talk About Retirement Income
    Let’s have the conversation that’s often overshadowed by product pitches. This interactive session will explore whether retirement income solutions are truly needed in DC plans, which approaches show promise, where existing options fall short and what sponsors should consider before moving forward.

  8. 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    DB Plan Playbook
    Learn how sponsors of defined benefit plans can enhance plan maintenance. What does the goal for the plan, within the context of current political and market developments, indicate for investment strategies? What can plans do with surplus funding?

  9. 11:10 – 11:40 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    TBD

  10. 11:10 – 11:40 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Participant Personalization
    Learn how personalization can be implemented in advice and investments and how it can improve participant outcomes.

  11. 11:10 – 11:40 a.m.

    BREAKOUT

    VCP and Audit Walkthrough
    An expert will go through the steps for the IRS Voluntary Correction Program and a Department of Labor audit. Hear too from a plan sponsor who experienced one of these audits.

  12. 11:40 – 12:30 p.m.

    Sponsored workshops

  13. 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

    Lunch

  14. 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    TBD

  15. 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Annuity Basics
    Guaranteed income, fixed annuities, deferred annuities, in-plan options. What does it all mean? This session will provide a practical introduction to annuities, helping plan sponsors understand the terminology, evaluate key product features and learn to communicate retirement income concepts to participants with confidence.

  16. 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Provider Due Diligence/RFPs
    The standards for conducting due diligence on providers are changing as participant needs and retirement plan goals expand. Selection and monitoring criteria now extend beyond fees and investment options. This session will examine the latest provider due diligence methods, effective request for proposal practices and key considerations when acquiring an adviser or recordkeeper.

  17. 2:40 – 3:10 p.m.

    Sponsored workshops

  18. 3:10 – 3:40 p.m.

    Break

  19. 3:40 – 4:25 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Practical Lessons From Plan Sponsors
    Award-winning plan sponsors share ways they’ve improved their plans and challenges they’ve overcome.

  20. 3:40 – 4:25 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Benchmarking Investments and Fees
    Experts will explain what factors to look at when benchmarking investments, as well as what benchmarks to use to ensure your choices are prudent and fees are reasonable.

  21. 3:40 – 4:25 p.m.

    BREAKOUT

    Different Plans, Different Challenges
    While corporate 401(k) plans tend to dominate industry conversations, sponsors of 403(b)s, 457s, multiple employer and multiemployer plans each encounter their own distinct challenges and opportunities. After a discussion of key trends and administrative considerations across plan types, this interactive session will focus on attendees’ questions, giving sponsors the chance to hear expert perspectives on the issues that matter most to them.

  22. 4:35 – 5:20 p.m.

    Retirement Plan Trivia

  23. 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

    Game night
    Come engage with exhibitors

Day 3

  1. 7:30 – 8:50 a.m.

    Breakfast

  2. 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

    Plan Sponsor Idea Exchanges
    Meet with peer plan sponsors to share experiences and insights—learn from and assist others.

  3. 9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

    Opening Remarks

  4. 9:10 – 10:00 a.m.

    Your questions answered
    Questions attendees submitted upon registration, and others, will be answered by a group of experts.

  5. 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

    Break

  6. 10:30 – 11:20 a.m.

    Beyond the Retirement Plan
    You’ve provided a savings vehicle, but what more does it take to get employees truly prepared for retirement? How can you help them prepare for a new routine without full-time work and find a new purpose? Panelists will discuss phased retirement programs along with other mental and tangible means for easing the transition, plus education about Social Security and Medicare.

  7. 11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

    Participant Perspectives
    Hear key findings from the 2026 PLANSPONSOR Participant Survey to possibly inspire new plan design decisions, ways to engage employees, and communication efforts.

  8. 12:00 p.m.

    To-Go Lunch

registration

Registration Is Open!

Pricing

Plan Sponsors – FREE if you book your room in our conference rooming block, otherwise, there will be a $180 registration fee

Advisers – $345   *If you register before January 31, 2027, you will receive the early bird rate of $175*

REGISTER NOW

sponsors

Become a sponsor.

Join a select group of industry product and service providers who are maximizing their firm’s exposure in front of this highly influential group of plan sponsors and retirement plan advisers.

venue


JW Marriott Nashville
201 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

For questions, please contact Lucille.Velander@issmediasolutions.com.