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Leavey School of Business Santa Clara University

Newsmakers

Finance Professor Meir Statman Head Shot

Finance Professor Meir Statman Head Shot

Meir Statman : Defined Contribution Plans : Pensions & Investments

Meir Statman explains his viewpoint on defined contribution plans for a company and its employees.
Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance Meir Statman Head Shot

As the keynote speaker at the recent Pensions & Investments' West Coast Defined Contribution Conference, Meir Statman, Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at the Leavey School of Business, discussed his thoughts on the defined contribution plan - a retirement plan for a company’s employees. As noted in a recap published by Pensions & Investments, Statman supports defined contribution plans where corporate contributions are unconditional on employee contributions, stating that "atching penalized the poor." 

An excerpt from the piece: 
The [defined contribution] employer contribution is about 4% of participants' pay, but the [defined benefits] contribution has been basically double that amount, he said.

However, Mr. Statman said more DB plans isn't the answer. "I don't advocate a return to defined benefit plans," he said. The best solution is a mixture a Social Security and DC because the former provides downside protection, while the latter offers upside potential.

Statman believes such plans together will allow for a mutual payment of a company’s administrative costs. While he supports having these plans available, Statman argues that there should be limitations regarding the time of withdrawal.

Learn more about Professor Meir Statman »

 

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