401(k) and ERISA Pension Consulting2024-03-20T12:26:20+00:00

401(k) and ERISA Pension Consulting

As a seasoned pension investment consultant and Chief Investment Officer at the Hackett Group, Chris Tobe, CFA, CAIA, brings a wealth of expertise and experience in advising on Defined Contribution (DC) plans, including 401(k), 457, and 403(b) plans, under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Specialization in Defined Contribution Plans:

  • Chris is a national expert in DC asset classes, particularly in Stable Value investments. His book, “Consultant & Plan Sponsors Guide to Stable Value,” published in 2015, solidifies his reputation as a thought leader in this field.
  • With a focus on optimizing plan performance while minimizing fees and risks, Chris has worked on over 60 401(k) fee cases as an expert, helping plans such as UPS Pilots, UPS Mechanics, and AMC cinemas achieve their objectives.

Project Highlights:

  • Chris has worked on notable projects for various organizations, including GM, Sonoco, Pfizer, BP, Johnson & Johnson (JnJ), and many others, primarily focusing on stable value options.
  • Notable recent projects include direct work with UPS Pilots, UPS Mechanics, and AMC cinemas, where he successfully navigated fee reduction efforts while considering return and risk metrics.

Consulting Experience:

  • Throughout his career, Chris has provided consulting services to a wide range of organizations, from major utility companies like DTE and CMS to public DC plans such as the St. Louis Sewer District and Amtrak.
  • At AEGON, Chris directly worked with renowned companies like GM, JnJ, Sonoco, IBM, Haliburton, HCA, and indirectly supported hundreds of large companies on stable value wraps, demonstrating his extensive industry reach and influence.

Educational Background and Professional Affiliations:

  • Chris holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University Bloomington and a BA in Economics from Tulane University. He has also taught the MBA investment course at the University of Louisville and served as the former President of the CFA Society of Louisville, highlighting his commitment to education and professional development.

Thought Leadership and Recognition:

  • Chris has been quoted in reputable publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s on DC investments and has provided testimony and information to regulatory bodies such as the Department of Labor (DOL), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Government Accountability Office (GAO).
  • He has spoken at numerous conferences, including IFEBP and NAGDCA, SEBC, on DC investment products, and has written extensively on DC investment topics, particularly on Stable Value and Target Date Funds.

Chris Tobe’s comprehensive understanding of ERISA regulations, coupled with his strategic insight into DC plan investments, makes him a trusted advisor for organizations seeking to optimize their pension strategies and enhance participant outcomes.

Presentations

  • Round Table Participant Pensions & Investments (P&I) Institutional Investments Forum (IIF  January 2010 New York
  • Target Date Funds   CIEBA   January 2010  Washington DC
  • SEC-DOL Joint Hearing on Target Date Funds  Washington DC  July 2009
  • Stable Value in Target Date Funds September 2008  NAGDCA  Public DC Conference
  • TIPS in DC plans  Stable Value Investment Association (SVIA)  Conference  October 2004
  • Under the Hood – Strategies for Stable Value  IIR GIC Conference  April 2004 
    Competing Funds    SVIA  October  2003
    Competing Funds    IIR GIC Conference  April 2003
    Self-Directed Brokerage SVIA October 2002 
    Short term investments and wraps   IFEBP Conferernce  Nov 2003
  • TIPS   Stable Value Inv. Assoc. Conference – October  2003
    • Competing Funds   IIR  April 2003
  • TIPS as an Asset Class  National Association of State Treasurers  RI 2002
  • Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts Current Trends and Issues  Stable Value Inv. Assoc. Conference – October  2002
  • Target Date Funds   NAGDCA WebCast    July 2010  
  • Stable Value in Target Date Funds September 2008  NAGDCA  Public DC Conference
  • www.nagdca.org/documents/Stable_Value_Final.ppt

Publications

ARTICLES​

ChrisTobe.com is educational and highlights his numerous publications & investment knowledge.