Commentary

Retirement Income Security on Your Terms

Vanguard research suggests that one practical answer may lie in pairing traditional target-date funds with a modest allocation to deferred-income annuities (DIAs).

Commentary

Private Assets in Target-Date Funds: A Balanced Assessment

Access to private equity, private credit, private infrastructure, and private real estate assets can potentially improve long-term investment outcomes for participants.

Commentary

Private‑Sector Job Market Insights For the Public Good

Government statistics are invaluable in deciphering the state of the U.S. economy. But they don’t always tell the whole story.

Commentary

America’s Retirement Outlook Is Getting Brighter

We find that roughly two in five Americans are on track to meet their retirement spending needs. But retirement readiness is not black and white. The typical American will have a $5,000 annual spending shortfall in retirement. That means possibly needing to cut back on spending, work a year or two longer, tap into home equity, or lean on family.

Commentary

Vanguard’s Approach to Emergency Savings

Participants’ financial well-being is our top priority, and we know that they’re struggling with emergency savings, so we’re offering a way for participants to save with confidence—the Vanguard Cash Plus Account.

Commentary

High-Yield Spread Variations Present Alpha Opportunities

Whether in sports or financial markets, averages often grab headlines, but they can conceal as much as they reveal. Variation—including the dispersion of metrics like credit spreads for high-yield bonds—is the real story.

Commentary

TDF Glide-Path Essentials: Evaluating Fixed Income Exposure

At Vanguard, we are always working to make our target-date funds (TDFs) better. That means regularly reviewing our glide-path design and diving into specific asset allocation topics to ensure that our strategies evolve with the market and continue to meet our clients' needs.

Commentary

Behavioral Design for Better Investor Success

Investors face persistent behavioral challenges—such as inertia, present bias, and limited attention—that can quietly erode long-term financial outcomes. At Vanguard, we see these cognitive biases not as investor failings, but as opportunities to design digital experiences that are intuitive and easy to use, while nudging investors toward better decisions and stronger financial outcomes.

Commentary

Do Private Assets Belong in 401(k) Plans?

The investment case for private assets in DC plans hinges on choosing high-performing managers—specifically those in the top third of the performance spectrum, committing to long holding periods, and accepting the risk of underperformance over time.

Commentary

Why Active Fixed Income Deserves a Place in Your Plan’s Lineup

Defined contribution (DC) plans form the backbone of retirement security for millions of Americans. And while stocks often steal the spotlight for their growth potential, bonds play a crucial role in managing risk, providing diversification, and delivering reliable income—especially as participants approach retirement.

Commentary

Staying the Course During a Government Shutdown

Government shutdowns are not unprecedented. Although some volatility is possible, historically, there has been no clear relationship between U.S. government shutdowns and market returns.

Commentary

Six Decades of Value Investing: Q&A With Windsor II Fund’s Lew Sanders

Portfolio manager Lew Sanders has quietly built a legacy as one of the most influential value investors of the past 50 years.

Commentary

Mythbusting: Young Investor Edition

Contrary to some popular stereotypes about young investors, the kids are all right. They typically save more and invest in age-appropriate, low-cost funds at higher rates than previous generations did at the same age, all while avoiding frequent trading or excessive risk in their portfolios.

Commentary

A Preview of How America Saves 2025: Small Business Edition

As an industry leader, Vanguard cultivates a detailed understanding of defined contribution (DC) plans and their role in the U.S. retirement system.

Commentary

Adding Value Through a Strategic Approach

Strategic versus tactical asset allocation is an age-old debate in the world of asset managers, fiduciaries, and everyday investors alike.