BENEFITS DIGEST

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A publication of The Inner Firm

Friday, July 24, 2026

№ 16

12 items · ~2 min read

Retirement Plans (6)·Health & Welfare (1)·Leave & Time Off (1)·Case Commentary (3)·Also Noteworthy (1)

The One Thing

Workplace retirement plans are rapidly becoming a distribution channel for institutional-grade investment products once reserved for wealthy investors. The Wellington, Vanguard, and Blackstone alliance signals private market strategies migrating toward 401(k) lineups, and new sponsor research in today's issue shows real appetite for alternatives alongside real uncertainty about how to evaluate them. With the Department of Labor already weighing public comments on its proposed prudence framework for selecting plan investment options, the direction of travel is unmistakable. The fiduciary process for vetting these products is about to matter a great deal more.

Retirement Plans (6)

If Start-ups Stay Private Longer, Then What About My ESOP?
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP · via JD Supra 2026-07-23

The latest data reveals a striking paradox for the U.S.: start-ups are taking 10-12 years to reach exits, while employees in many sectors often stay for an average of just 2-3 years.

Spousal Consent in the DC Lifetime Income Assessment Process
Business of Benefits (Bob Toth) 2026-07-23

One of the key fiduciary roles in the assessment of any DC lifetime income program process necessarily involves whether, and how, the plan or the vendor accommodates any required spousal consent rules related to the payout of annuities.

Health & Welfare (1)

Leave & Time Off (1)

Case Commentary (3)

Nevin & Fred: Learning From Litigation
NAPA Net Daily · What can plan sponsors (and advisors) learn from litigation? As it turns out, a lot 2026-07-20

even if you aren’t responsible for a billion-dollar plan.

Also Noteworthy (1)