The Report Our Canadian study is an exciting extension of the PIMCO US DC Consulting Study, which for 16 years has been one of the premier consultant studies in the DC industry, capturing data, trends, and opinions from leading defined contribution (DC) consultants and advisors on various timely topics. To view the results of our U.S. study, visit the U.S. DC Consulting Study page. business 12 Major Recordkeeping and Consulting Firms people Over 36,000 Clients Served Plan Sponsor Clients View on Retaining Retiree Assets in Plan Respondents split on plan sponsor views regarding retaining retiree assets. Institutional Consultants Recordkeepers Actively seek to retain these assets Prefer retaining these assets, but do not actively encourage Indifferent Prefer retirees move assets out Question to Consultants: Approximately what percent of your plan sponsor clients take the below view on retaining retired participants' assets in their plan? (n=11) Reasons for Moving Retirees Assets out of Plan Fiduciary duty and responsibility are the main reasons for moving retirees out of plan. Regulations or fiduciary duty 33% Prefer not to manage retiree assets/unwilling to assume responsibility 33% Lack of potential solutions 25% Plan requirement to move assets out 8% Question to Consultants: In your opinion, what is the main reason plans move retirees out of plan, post-retirement? (n=12) Analyst Note: "Plan members financial literacy" was an option but was not selected. Important Features of Retirement Income Solutions Record-keepers and Consultants believe that the most important feature of retirement income is ease for participants to understand. Should be easy for a participant to understand 82% 18% 0% 0% 0% Should provide inflation protection 18% 73% 9% 0% 0% Should pose limited fiduciary risk to the plan sponsor 36% 45% 9% 9% 0% Should provide non-guaranteed income 27% 45% 27% 0% 0% Should provide distribution/payment on a monthly basis 36% 18% 45% 0% 0% Should be portable to a new recordkeeper/plan 27% 27% 36% 9% 0% Distributions should be comprised of portfolio income and the return of capital (may include capital gains) 9% 45% 45% 0% 0% Should be highly liquid 9% 45% 36% 9% 0% Should have a stated distribution objective 18% 27% 36% 18% 0% Should provide guaranteed income 18% 27% 55% 0% 0% Distributions should be comprised primarily of portfolio income, while allowing retirees the optionality to draw down capital if desired 9% 36% 36% 18% 0% Should be portable to a Rollover TFSA 0% 27% 36% 36% 0% Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Question to Consultants: Please indicate you level of agreement with the following statements related to in-plan retirement income solutions...(n=11) Analyst Note: "Strongly disagree" was an option but was not selected Key Findings Download PIMCO Canada’s DC Consulting Study key findings report for the latest trends and the supporting data.