Managing the Shift from Pensions to 401k with Zach Buchwald

Russell Investments' CEO Zach Buchwald discusses the firm's history of innovation in indexing, OCIO, and smart beta, as well as its focus on active portfolios including private investments. Buchwald reflects on his career path from English major to finance leader, emphasizing lessons learned at Lehman Brothers, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock about client-centricity and the importance of financial security. He addresses the shifting landscape of retirement planning from pensions to 401(k)s, highlighting the risks individuals now bear. Buchwald also explores Russell's use of AI in manager research and portfolio construction, along with the potential for private markets to enhance returns, while noting the need for caution when offering these investments to middle-class savers.