401(k) Real Talk Episode 214: October 28, 2026

Episode 214 of 401(k) Real Talk is a weekly news roundup in which Fred Barstein, contributing editor for Wealth Management's RPA channel, reviews the prior week's retirement plan industry news and picks five stories. The five covered are Capital Group's retirement income target-date fund offered without an annuity, the rising value workers place on DC plans relative to healthcare, how advisors are now selecting record keeper partners, plan sponsors' focus on participant outcomes, and changes coming to 401(k) plans driven by employers and participants. A secondary "worth reading" list covers Bank of America's small plan service passing $100B, voluntary benefits litigation, a new FINRA marketi

1. Capital Group offers a retirement income target-date fund without an annuity
2. Workers are placing more value on DC plans, with 401(k) plans compared to healthcare as an employee benefit
3. Advisors' approach to selecting record keeper partners is covered, with record keepers said to be tailoring service to advisor type
4. Plan sponsors are shifting focus toward participant outcomes, alongside changes coming to 401(k) plans