Delivering Post-Retirement Success at Scale: the US experience
As defined contribution members in the US retire in increasing numbers, this briefing explores critical insights for Australian superannuation leaders facing the challenge of delivering retirement solutions at scale.
Discussion topics include:
Technology in Post-Retirement: How digital tools are transforming retirement by improving decision-making, enhancing efficiency, and reducing reliance on advisers—enabling scalable, member-centric support.
PGIM’s Latest Research: Timely findings on retirement behaviour, investment strategy, and member engagement, offering global perspectives with local relevance.
Redefining Success: Exploring new metrics for post-retirement success, including income adequacy, wellbeing, and long-term sustainability.
This session will equip fund executives with practical insights to refine their retirement strategies, benchmark against international developments, and better meet the evolving needs of retiring members.
Josh will be joined by panels of fund executives who will reflect on Josh’s insights and contribute their experiences to the discussions. The panels will be facilitated by Chris Briant, PGIM’s Managing Director, Australia & NZ.
Guest speaker
Josh Cohen, CFA, Managing Director, Head of Client Solutions PGIM DC Solutions
Josh is a Managing Director, Head of Client Solutions for PGIM DC Solutions. Mr. Cohen leads the team’s efforts to bring defined contribution insights and solutions to PGIM’s clients and the market. Prior to joining PGIM, Josh was the Head of Defined Contribution for Russell Investments where he was responsible for the leadership, strategic direction, and growth of Russell Investments’ U.S. Defined Contribution (DC) asset management business across the institutional and intermediary channels. Prior to his twelve years at Russell Investments, Josh spent nine years at Hewitt Associates.
Highly regarded throughout the industry and a recognized DC thought leader, Josh served a three-year term (2013-2015) as a member of the Department of Labor’s ERISA Advisory Council on policies and regulations affecting employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Josh is the host of PGIM’s podcast series The Accidental Plan Sponsor and is also actively involved with several industry organizations, including the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), where he serves as a member of the board of trustees and as the chair of the executive committee, and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA), where he previously served on the executive committee and as the chair of the Retirement Research Board. Josh earned his BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Brisbane panellists
Brnic van Wyk, Principal Retirement Solutions, Australian Retirement Trust
Brnic and his team are responsible for the design, development, ongoing management and enhancement of a world class retirement income offering, setting new standards for retirement strategy, product design and member outcomes. This includes the operational, actuarial and solvency management of ART’s Lifetime Pension retirement income product. He also represents ART as a global industry thought leader in retirement, contributing to advocacy and policy development by providing technical expertise and advice to peak bodies and government.
Brnic has a Bachelor in Actuarial Science (South Africa) and a Masters Degree in Organisational Leadership through the FEAL/MBS Masters Program. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst of the Investments and Wealth Institute (USA), a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK). He served on the Superannuation Practice Committee of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and a number of its subcommittees. He is a Board member of the Pension Benefits and Social Security Section of the International Actuarial Association and the CIMA Society of Asia Pacific.
Hayley Powell, Head of Superannuation and Retirement Advice, Brighter Super
Hayley is the Head of Superannuation and Retirement Advice at Brighter Super, leading the delivery of member-focused financial advice that helps members live confidently in retirement. With more than 15 years’ experience across financial planning, leadership, and transformation, Hayley is known for her authentic, values-led approach and ability to build high-performing, purpose-driven teams. She has held senior roles at AIA Financial Wellbeing and Commonwealth Financial Planning and holds a Master’s in Financial Planning and has recently completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course.
Sydney panellists
Stefan Strano, Principal, Retirement, AustralianSuper
Stefan is Principal Retirement at AustralianSuper, responsible for supporting strategy and advocacy efforts to enhance the Fund’s retirement proposition for members and drive positive policy reform for a simpler, more flexible retirement system. Prior to joining AustralianSuper, Stefan was the Chief Executive of industry super fund Club Plus Super. Stefan has 25 years’ financial services experience which has included Head of Investment Communications at Legal & General Investment Management, various roles at BT Financial Group within the economics, institutional business development, brand and marketing teams and consulting for a variety of financial services organisations across Australia, Asia and the US.
Stefan has a Bachelor of Economics, Master of International Business and a Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney and has completed the Investment Management Programme at London Business School.
Jennifer McSpadden, Head of Retirement, Brighter Super
Jennifer is the Head of Retirement at Brighter Super, where she is dedicated to enhancing financial wellbeing and retirement outcomes for all members. With over 25 years of experience in the superannuation and retirement sectors, Jennifer is focused on better understanding member needs, developing straightforward retirement products, and delivering meaningful financial education and guidance. Jennifer joined Brighter Super in 2022 as the Head of Marketing and was promoted to the newly created role of Head of Retirement in November 2023. In this comprehensive, cross-functional position, she is responsible for implementing the Fund’s Retirement Income Strategy and driving optimal growth for both the Fund and its members. Jennifer is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA and a BA in Marketing.
Facilitator
Chris Briant, PGIM Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand
Chris is Managing Director, Institutional Client Group Australia and New Zealand, responsible for expanding and managing PGIM’s relationships with asset owners in Australia and New Zealand.
Prior to joining PGIM in 2024, Chris was a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley Investment Management, having joined its subsidiary Parametric Portfolio Associates as Parametric's first Australasian CEO in 2013 where he led the buildout of its operational, client and product growth. Before that, Chris was CEO of a boutique investment manager Tibra Investment Management for two years and previously led business development for Russell Investments Australasia for four years. Earlier in his career, Chris was on the executive team of BNP Paribas’ custody operation and worked with BT Funds Management for seven years in investment operations and client management.
A Chartered Accountant, he started his career in accounting firms including Arthur Andersen. Chris' qualifications include a business degree from University of Technology Sydney, a graduate diploma in applied finance, a graduate certificate in financial planning and CIMA from IMCA. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute, as well as CFA Institute qualifications in Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Private Credit.
BRISBANE
DATE: Monday 17 November
VENUE: Australian Retirement Trust
ADDRESS: Level 28/266 George Street
SYdney
DATE: Tuesday 18 November
VENUE: Thomson Geer
ADDRESS: Westpac Building, Level 14/60 Martin Place
Melbourne
DAte: Wednesday 19 November
Venue: EY
Address: 8 Exhibition Street
Adelaide
DATE: Thursday 20 November
VENUE: KPMG
ADDRESS: Level 7/151 Pirie Street
TIME: 12.15PM - 2.00PM Bris AEST | SYD & Melb AEdT | ADEL ACDT
COST: FEAL members - $0 & non-members $145 (inc GST)
*If you are a non member & would like to attend please contact FEAL.
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