Industry leaders explore a new standard for retirement security; cross-sector brief advocates for the elimination of systemic barriers to professional advice
High-quality financial advice remains out of reach for many Americans due to systemic barriers in the retirement industry. A new post-event brief released by the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, sponsored by Pontera, argues that achieving retirement security is a system design challenge requiring a coordinated effort across policy and technology.
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Participants need access to tools that help them achieve financial security, regardless of where their 401(k) is held.
The Refinery brought together leaders across financial services, policy, technology, and research to explore a central challenge: how to expand access to affordable, personalized, and holistic advice in a retirement system that remains fragmented for many households. A key conclusion from the discussion was that closing the advice gap will require more than a single product or policy change. It will take coordinated progress across the retirement ecosystem, including modernized policy infrastructure, responsible use of technology, and delivery models that can serve more savers without sacrificing personalization or consumer protections.
The brief outlines three areas for continued focus:
- Policy Infrastructure: A regulatory environment that prioritizes secure, seamless data portability, placing the retirement saver in control of their information.
- The Technology Interface: The implementation of AI-enabled tools designed to translate complex data into actionable, personalized guidance.
- The Delivery Model: The creation of a broadly accessible “public option” for advice—integrating both digital and human elements—to ensure affordability across the full spectrum of household needs.
“Major changes are coming to the retirement system, yet access to high-quality, personalized advice remains uneven,” said Ben White, Senior Director of Public Policy. “Participants need access to tools that help them achieve financial security, regardless of where their 401(k) is held. We’re proud to support efforts that bring together industry and policy leaders in support of participant rights.”
The brief also highlights the importance of addressing long-standing barriers that can prevent workplace retirement accounts from being considered alongside the rest of a saver’s financial picture. For many households, 401(k)s and other workplace-sponsored accounts represent a significant share of retirement wealth, yet they are often managed separately from broader planning decisions around taxes, risk, income, and long-term goals.
Pontera’s support of the Refinery as a leading sponsor reflects its broader commitment to advancing a future where personalized advice can reach every retirement dollar. Pontera equips financial advisors with a secure way to manage clients’ held-away workplace retirement accounts, helping advisors deliver more complete guidance while keeping savers’ needs at the center.
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