Research, news and events
For institutional investors
Which asset classes are most beneficial in a portfolio?
Our most recent research discusses how diversification across asset classes produces better and more stable portfolio outcomes.
Learn moreStable Value steps into the spotlight
Stable value offers the benefit of principal protection and potential superior risk-adjusted returns relative to cash and fixed-income investments
Learn moreStable Value — a perfect partner for equities
As a compliment to equities, stable value can provide better risk-adjusted outcomes than fixed income.
Learn moreMesirow PrecisionAlpha
This paper explores the impact of using trailing return to predict future performance. The results may not be what many investors expect.
Learn morePortfolio inflation hedges
Financial assets, in general, perform very poorly in high inflation environments, with negative inflation-adjusted (real) returns being the norm. This paper reviews a variety of potential inflation hedge strategies including TIPS, specific equity sectors (like energy), commodities and REITs.
Learn moreThe case for re-enrollment
Proactive plan design elements, such as auto-enrollment and auto-escalation, represent industry best practice and have become the norm among plan sponsors. Their presence results in better participant outcomes, particularly when used in an opt-out fashion.
Learn moreQDIA: GRI allocations
Most retirement savers both under-save for retirement and potentially face a serious return drag from sub-optimal, market chasing behavior—Guaranteed Retirement Income (GRI) products can help.
Learn moreQDIA: Managed Accounts
In this paper, we review evidence of retirement under-saving and potential solutions, as well as empirical evidence regarding investor reaction to negative market returns.
Learn moreWe value “Peace of Mind”
We propose an innovative evaluation framework for Guaranteed Retirement Income (GRI) products based on their individual merits and compare them to retirement income strategies constructed from ordinary investments that a typical investor would use within a defined contribution plan.
Learn moreTarget Date Funds: An industry overview
Target Date Funds (TDFs) are often used in a QDIA setting as a means of providing retirement savers with a one-stop solution. We provide an overview of asset class allocations for the TDF lifecycle glide paths and benchmarks.
Learn moreOne of these things is not like the other
Mesirow's target date glide path construction differs from the competition.
Learn moreInternational asset allocation optimization
In this paper, we use 50 years of MSCI data to examine international investing in the context of asset allocation and mean variance optimization.
Learn moreMesirow helps expand 401GO’s retirement plan offering
We are pleased to announce that Mesirow has been selected to provide outsourced 3(38) fiduciary services for the 401GO recordkeeping system. Planned future enhancements to include custom default solutions, and broader lineup fiduciary and reporting solutions.
Mesirow launches Fiduciary Partnership Services at Capital Group
June 2024 | We are pleased to announce that Mesirow has launched an integrated fiduciary program with Capital Group, home of American Funds®. Mesirow will provide ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) Fiduciary Partnership Services to plan sponsors and their advisors that use Capital Group’s turnkey products, RecordkeeperDirect® and PlanPremier®.
Mesirow joins the new Fidelity Retirement Edge platform
May 2024 | Mesirow is one of three 3(21) fiduciaries on the new Fidelity 401(k) platform. In a recent 401(K) Wire article, Vincent Vicidomini described working with Fidelity Retirement Edge as "a natural extension of Mesirow's decade-long work with Fidelity's retirement plan business. We consider this a ‘win-win’ for Mesirow and for advisors, TPAs, plan sponsors, participants and for Fidelity itself.”
Mesirow tapped by WEX to serve as RIA
December 2023 | WEX, one of the nation’s largest HSA custodians, has selected Mesirow to provide RIA services to their extensive client base. This appointment brings Mesirow's ERISA investment expertise further into the HSA marketplace. In serving WEX clients, Mesirow will construct investment programs that address HSA account holder needs and provide tax-free savings for medical expenses now and into retirement.
Mesirow named 3(38) for Paychex Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)
December 2020 | Paychex announced the launch of a Pooled Employer Plan to help businesses nationwide provide a cost-effective retirement plan option for their employees. Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions serves as the 3(38) investment fiduciary.
Mesirow named 3(38) fiduciary for Everyday 401(k) by JPMorgan
October 2020 | JPMorgan Chase announced the launch of Everyday 401(k) by JP Morgan, giving the firm's thousands of small business clients and their employees the ability to simply plan, save and invest for retirement. Mesirow serves as an independent 3(38) fiduciary.
Mesirow hosts session on HSA's at SPARK
Vincent Vicidomini and Emily Griffin from Mesirow's Human Resources presented at the WEX SPARK Conference. Their session focused on how Health Savings Account (HSA) programs contribute to broader employee healthcare strategies and financial wellness.
Mesirow joined Paychex on a retirement plan trends webinar
Jason Bianchi joined Paychex on a recent webinar to discuss “Opportunities in the small plan retirement market for financial advisors.”
Leaders in lifetime income
Chris O’Neill talks about the importance of integrating lifetime income into the default solution through custom target date funds that have a guaranteed income sleeve.
Inflation hedges: Portfolio implications
Financial asset tend to perform very poorly in high inflation environments, with negative inflation-adjusted (real) returns being the norm. This webinar reviews a variety of potential inflation hedge strategies including TIPS, specific equity sectors (like energy), commodities and REITs.
Mesirow shares insights into the value of HSAs
Jason Bianchi joined Melinda Caughill at the Broadridge 360 Advisor Summit in a discussion entitled Medicare & HSAs – The Perfect Pairing for Retirement Planning. Jason shared insights into the value that HSAs offer to investors and their financial advisors.
Stable Value Funds: Benefits in an inflationary environment
This webinar explores the role that stable value investments play in a retirement portfolio in an inflationary and rising interest rate environment.
Mesirow shares insights into HSA investor trends
Keith Gustafson and Vincent Vicidomini joined WEX on stage during the Spark 2024 conference . Mesirow provided attendees with key insights into HSA investor trends, opportunities to modernize HSA investing and maximizing overall value for HSA investors.
Jason Bianchi discusses opportunities for retirement advisors
Jason Bianchi joined ePlan and Dimensional Fund Advisors in a panel discussion about the significant growth opportunities for financial advisors focusing on small-business retirement plans.
Mesirow participates in Retirement Income Forum
During the State Street Global Advisors Retirement Income Forum in Boston, Christopher O'Neill was joined by Jimmy Veneruso, Head of DC product at SSGA to discuss the benefits and considerations of various insurance product types within the Guaranteed Retirement Income product landscape.
Mesirow participates in SPARK 2021 Forum
November 2021 | Christopher O’Neill participated in a retirement income panel discussion entitled “Is your 401k a savings plan or a retirement plan?” He discussed how recordkeepers can incorporate guaranteed income to enhance 401k plan design from a retirement savings vehicle to a retirement income provider.
Neither principal nor the underlying assets of target date investments are guaranteed at any time, including the target date, and investment risk remains at all time. There is no assurance that the recommended asset allocation will either maximize returns or minimize risk or be the appropriate allocation in all circumstances for every investor with a particular time horizon. Advisory services offered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. Advisory Fees are described in Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.’s Part 2A of the Form ADV. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. The Mesirow name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.