Defined Benefit (DB) Plan Solutions

Collaborating on DB plans to tackle funding and volatility issues, pension risk transfer strategies, and more.

Your commitments, as our own.

Millions of people around the globe depend on DB pension plans to ensure a dignified retirement.

As a fiduciary, you are responsible for fulfilling your obligations, no matter what lies ahead. This is a weighty responsibility and may pose substantial challenges in these uncertain times. We can help.

Who we support

Corporate, public, non-profit, and union DB pension plans of all sizes and levels of maturity.

Case studies

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Asset/Liability Study

How an ongoing asset/liability study maximized the funded status of a U.S. utility company.

Read this case study
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Public Pension Plan

How a public pension plan evolved their program to enable real-time responses to market events, and lower fees.

Read how they did it
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Outsourcing Solution

How a corporate pension plan with $2 billion in assets reduced overall pension management costs by 50%.

Learn about this study
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Plan Termination Strategy

How a wood products company removed 40% of plan liabilities with limited impact on company financials.

Read this strategy

Case studies are problem-solving stories. We select a situation that is indicative of problems clients in this category are facing. The recommendations described do not represent a standard strategy or set of recommendations made for all advisory clients with similar issues. Each client has unique requirements, challenges, and constraints, and our advisory solutions are tailored to each client’s specific needs.

By the numbers

73

U.S. DB partnerships

$31 B

U.S. DB assets under management

17 years

Average DB client tenure

$331 B

Global assets under management

90 years

In business

As of 12/31/2024

How we support DB plans

A uniquely flexible approach, for wherever you are on your investment journey.

Investment outsourcing

Asset management and strategic guidance tailored to a level of discretion that suits you, so you can focus on what matters most.

Learn about outsourced CIO

Implementation solutions

A suite of solutions to help your in-house team gain greater portfolio control, limit costs, reduce risk, and enhance returns.

Customized portfolio solutions

Strategic guidance

Ensuring you make informed decisions grounded in sound, evidence-based research and practical insight.

Our consulting legacy


Recognition

We are proud to be globally recognized for excellence in the investment industry.

Russell Investments was ranked as a top global manager of Defined Benefit outsourced assets, out of 26 firms, in CIO Magazine’s “2024 Outsourced-Chief Investments Officer (OCIO) Survey,” based on the AUM from its fully discretionary clients (as of December 31, 2023).1

View all awards

Drill deeper

More resources for DB plans

Corporate Pension Finance Handbook

The challenge of efficiently managing a pension plan continues to grow, and simple, practical guidance is more valuable than ever. Our updated fourth edition addresses significant new developments.

Request yours today

Investment guides for fiduciaries

Brevity has a quality all its own. Whether you're a CEO, CFO, CIO, Trustee, Board Member, or Investment Committee member, you've got a lot on your plate. With this in mind, we have created these helpful guides for fiduciaries.

Explore our guides

Liability-Driven Investing (LDI)

Liability-driven investing (LDI) focuses investment policy and asset allocation decisions on matching the pension plan's current and future liabilities, shifting the focus from simply beating benchmarks toward improving and stabilizing the plan's funded status.

Learn about our approach to LDI

DB / DC harmonization

CFOs, investment committees, and retirement plan sponsors are increasingly capitalizing on the significant synergies achievable by harmonizing both DB and DC plans within a single holistic solution.

Learn about DB / DC harmonization
RECENT INSIGHTS
RECENT RESEARCH
Insights Research

Our experts work hard to solve the complex issues our clients encounter.

Our collection of research shows our dedication to solving complex investment problems.

Five Forces Reshaping Investing for the Second Half of the Decade

Insights from Kate El-Hillow, President & CIO

Discover the five forces reshaping how investors allocate capital and build resilient portfolios.

Learn more

Eye on private credit

Understanding the basics and beyond

With a robust supply of asset-based investments, the private credit market has grown to over $5T dollars and is anticipated to be worth nearly $8T by 2027, driven by structural shifts in the lending environment.

Start exploring

Outsourced CIO

The Right OCIO Can Cure Insomnia in Restless Markets

Even in normal times, managing an investment program is a challenging job. But when you add on tariffs and trade wars, it's bound to lead to some sleepless nights. Learn how an OCIO firm can provide relief.

Read the article

Partner with us

Get in touch with us through this form, and we'll reach out to you.

Peter Corippo
Managing Director,
Fiduciary Solutions - Retirement
866-616-8927

About Peter

1A Top Global Manager of Outsourced Assets (CIO): The 2012-2024 Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Magazine OCIO survey ranking is based on global outsourced assets under management (AUM) from fully discretionary clients, using quantitative data reported as of December 31 of the previous calendar year. The survey includes a varied number of firms, differentiated by year: 2024 (26 firms), 2023 (47), 2022 (45), 2021 (47), 2020 (50), 2019 (35), 2018 (34), 2017 (53), 2016 (53), 2015 (49), 2014 (36), 2013 (29), and 2012 (24). We paid this publication a fee for licensing usage and rights of the award logo/badge.

The information, analyses and opinions set forth herein are intended to serve as general information only and should not be relied upon by any individual or entity as advice or recommendations specific to that individual entity. Anyone using this material should consult with their own attorney, accountant, financial or tax adviser or consultants on whom they rely for investment advice specific to their own circumstances.

Products and services described on this website are intended for United States residents only. Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. The general information contained on this website should not be acted upon without obtaining specific legal, tax, and investment advice from a licensed professional. Persons outside the United States may find more information about products and services available within their jurisdictions by going to Russell Investments' Worldwide site.

Russell Investments is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Russell Investments' ownership is composed of a majority stake held by funds managed by TA Associates Management, L.P., with a significant minority stake held by funds managed by Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. Certain of Russell Investments' employees and Hamilton Lane Advisors, LLC also hold minority, non-controlling, ownership stakes.

Frank Russell Company is the owner of the Russell trademarks contained in this material and all trademark rights related to the Russell trademarks, which the members of the Russell Investments group of companies are permitted to use under license from Frank Russell Company. The members of the Russell Investments group of companies are not affiliated in any manner with Frank Russell Company or any entity operating under the "FTSE RUSSELL" brand.

© Russell Investments Group, LLC. 1995-2026. All rights reserved. This material is proprietary and may not be reproduced, transferred, or distributed in any form without prior written permission from Russell Investments. It is delivered on an "as is" basis without warranty.

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