Determining the “default” investment for savers who do not make a decision about where to direct their contributions is a weighty decision. The downside of putting the money into investments that carry more risk, and a greater potential for loss, is obvious. But parking the contributions in a “safe” investment with lower risk means participants’ accounts may not grow sufficiently to provide significant income security in retirement. Increasingly, target-date funds (TDFs) have become a popular solution.

Anyone else experiencing a “psychological spring” to go along with the equinoxal one? We are – as we watch everyone around us start getting vaccinated! And we’re seeing it out in the retirement space too. Here’s a great update on the freshest news:

• John Scott from Pew – what's working - we want to know

• The latest state metrics – setting some new records

• Nine states in action: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri and Virginia

• Grant’s Go To’s: Let’s Talk Automatic Enrollment

• New thought leadership from Aspen and research from Boston College … and a few Easter eggs you’re going to want to crack open immediately

• And, you got it, Pix of the Week!

Grant Boyken shares current best practices related to automatic enrollment and automatic escalation in the retirement savings space — and especially for state-facilitated programs.