May 15th, 2025 Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday Investing Empower to Offer Private Investments in 401(k) Plans The firm is joining forces with several private investment fund managers and custodians to bring private investments to managed accounts in defined contribution plans. Data and Research Employers, Workers Have Disconnect Between Employee Needs, Benefits Strategies  Day-to-day financial stress tops employee concerns, but most employers still focus on long-term retirement planning.  Most Read Benefits Could Collective DC Be Next for US? Compliance What Does It Mean to Be a Fiduciary? Compliance How the 401(k) Alts Debate Raises Fiduciary Stakes MARKET MIRROR Wednesday the Dow fell 89.37 points (0.21%) to close at 42,051.06, the Nasdaq rose 136.72 points (0.72%) to close at 19,146.81 and the S&P 500 rose 6.03points (0.1%) to close at 5,892.58. The Russell 2000 fell 18.54 points (0.88%) to close at 2,083.80, and the FT Wilshire 5000 Index rose 32.47 points (0.06%) to close at 58,888.81.  The 10-year Treasury note fell 28/32, bringing the yield to 4.545%. The 30-year Treasury bond fell 32/32, bringing the yield to 4.973%.  Feature The Power of the Default Rate An employee’s initial saving rate makes a big difference in outcome. EVENTS PLANSPONSOR's Upcoming Livestreams Check out the September and October Livestream events. September’s series will focus on Retirement Tier Investing. In October, the focus shifts to Retirement Income. More information and registration at this link:  https://www.plansponsor.com/events/  SMALL TALK ON THIS DATE: In 1918, the first regular airmail route in the U.S. opened, between New York City and Washington, D.C. In 1929, Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse made his debut with the premiere of the cartoon Plane Crazy. In 1940, in San Bernadino, California, brothers Maurice (“Mac”) and Richard McDonald opened a drive-in restaurant that gave rise to the fast-food chain McDonald’s. In 1962, lawyer and judge Abe Fortas became the first U.S. Supreme Court justice to resign under threat of impeachment. In 1972, while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination, Alabama Governor George Wallace was wounded and left permanently paralyzed below the waist in an assassination attempt. In 1991, Edith Cresson of the Socialist Party became the first female premier of France, but she lost the office less than a year later because of rising unemployment and declining support from within her party. In 2003, singer and songwriter June Carter Cash—a leading figure in country music, especially noted for her work with the Carter Family and Johnny Cash—died in Nashville.    Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get NEWSDash directly in your mailbox! Unsubscribe | Manage Subscriptions | Contact Us Copyright ©2026 Asset International, Inc. All rights reserved. No reproduction without prior authorization. Modern Slavery Statement 2022 | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Privacy (including cookies), Social Media & Legal 702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850