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The Great 401(k) Podcast Debate

The Great 401(k) Podcast Debate

Written by: John Sullivan
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About this listen

The Great 401(k) Podcast Debate is a short-form, point-counterpoint style debate on the top issues affecting retirement plan advisors, sponsors, and participants. Its contentious yet respectful format is meant to encourage an open and honest airing of diverse viewpoints and innovative ideas.

© 2026 The American Retirement Association Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Peps—Hot or Not? Pros and Cons of Pooled Employer Plans with Pete Swisher and JD Carlson

    Peps—Hot or Not? Pros and Cons of Pooled Employer Plans with Pete Swisher and JD Carlson
    Apr 24 2023

    Welcome to the Great 401(k) Podcast Debate, a series of point/counterpoint episodes involving controversial topics in the retirement plan space, and pooled employer plans (PEP) are undoubtedly controversial.

    Are PEPs living up to their promise? Are they lowering costs and increasing efficiencies for the smaller organizations that use them? And what’s the outlook for their adoption?

    We asked pro-PEP Group Plan Systems’ Pete Swisher and Plan Design Consultants’ JD Carlson, a PEP critic, to weigh in, and as expected, it got heated. Here’s what they had to say.
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    19 mins
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