Developer docs
API playgroundTry for free, no card

Search company profiles

NEPC

Full company profile

uuid0005tt2

Namestring
NEPC
Legal namestring
NEPC, LLC
Websiteurl
nepc.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1986
Descriptiontext

NEPC, LLC is a Boston-headquartered, employee-owned investment consulting firm founded in 1986 by Richard M. Charlton. The firm operates a direct enterprise field sales motion across 17 offices (16 U.S. plus London), employing 380+ investment professionals and serving 400+ institutional and private wealth clients with $1.9T+ in assets under advisement as of 2026. NEPC is structured as a private LLC with no public ticker and no parent company.

The firm's offering splits into Advisory Solutions (investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement) and OCIO Services (full discretionary outsourced CIO). It serves eight specialized segments: Endowments & Foundations ($122B across 175 portfolios), Healthcare ($137B across 45+ clients), Defined Contribution ($680B across 300+ plans), Insurance ($56B across 35+ portfolios), Taft-Hartley ($51B across 50 clients), Corporate Defined Benefit ($128B across 95 plans), Public Funds ($890B across 70+ clients), and Private Wealth ($28.8B across 50 UHNW clients). Proprietary technology includes the Total Enterprise Management asset allocation tool, an Enterprise Risk Model for healthcare, and the NEPC OCIO Platform. A Sustainable Investment Solutions add-on covers impact investing and diverse manager access.

NEPC generates revenue through subscription/recurring investment advisory fees based on assets under advisement and scope of services, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Following the 2024 sale of its OCIO division to Hightower Advisors, NEPC continues to operate as a distinct entity with its own leadership, brand, and a strategic OCIO advisory relationship with Hightower covering $1.5T in client assets. The firm announced a leadership succession effective January 1, 2026: Tim McCusker as President (and CEO-designate in January 2027) and Sarah Samuels as Chief Investment Officer, alongside the promotion of nine new partners/principals.

Short descriptiontext

NEPC is a Boston-based, employee-owned investment consulting firm that delivers advisory and OCIO services across asset allocation, manager research, and outsourced CIO to 400-plus institutional and private wealth clients managing more than $1.9 trillion in assets under advisement.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
251–500
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersBoston, United States
HQ citystring
Boston
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices17 records

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
investment consulting services, outsourced CIO services, institutional asset allocation, defined contribution consulting, pension fund advisory
Industry2 codes
1Institutional Consulting RIAs (OCIO/Endowments/Foundations/Pensions)
CodeFSAAACAGPrimaryYes
2Institutional Consultants & Fiduciary Management (Investment Consulting)
CodeFSAAAGAJPrimaryNo
NAICS code2 codes
  • Portfolio Management and Investment Advice523940
  • Portfolio Management and Investment Advice52394
SIC code1 code
  • Investment Advice6282
Product category
Investment Consulting
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model1 record
1Investment Advisory Services
TypeSubscription Recurring
Description

NEPC generates revenue through investment consulting fees for advisory and OCIO services. Fees are typically based on assets under advisement and the scope of services provided. The firm operates as an employee-owned partnership structure.

nepc.com
Marketing channels7 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Pricing details1 tier
1Custom institutional consulting services
ModelSubscriptionBilling cadenceAnnual
Notes

Pricing is quote-based and varies by client asset size, service scope (advisory vs. OCIO), and client type.

nepc.com
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

NEPC is a full-service investment consulting firm that provides research-driven Advisory Solutions (investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement) and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) Services to institutional and private wealth clients. The firm combines proprietary analytical tools, deep multi-asset-class research, and a 6:1 client-to-consultant service model to advise on approximately $1.9 trillion in client assets across 400+ clients.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 3 values shown
  • 96% Taft-Hartley retention rate over ten years (through 12/31/2025)
+2 more records
Product overview1 text field

NEPC is a full-service investment consulting firm offering a unified platform combining Advisory Solutions and OCIO Services. The Advisory Solutions module provides traditional consulting across investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement, and vendor search. The OCIO Services module offers full outsourced CIO capabilities. Both services span across specialized sub-brands serving distinct client segments: Endowments & Foundations, Healthcare, Defined Contribution, Insurance, Taft-Hartley, Corporate Defined Benefit, Public Funds, and Private Wealth. The firm also offers Sustainable Investment Solutions as an add-on focusing on diverse managers and impact investing. The overall architecture is a platform with multiple practice area modules, all drawing on shared research capabilities, investment teams, and proprietary tools.

Product and service4 records
1OCIO Services
CategoryInvestment Consulting / OCIO
Description

Outsourced Chief Investment Officer solution providing comprehensive and customized discretionary investment management with unbiased advice and no hidden incentives; combines strong governance with well-researched asset allocation and investment management solutions for institutional clients. Manages $153.5B in OCIO assets across 126 clients and 295 investment programs.

2Advisory Solutions
CategoryInvestment Advisory
Description

Investment advisory services including investment policy development, asset allocation, manager search and selection, operational due diligence, performance measurement, vendor search, and client education. Delivered across all client segments — endowments and foundations, healthcare, defined contribution, insurance, Taft-Hartley, corporate defined benefit, public funds, and private wealth.

3Sustainable Investment Solutions
CategorySustainable / ESG Investing
Description

Sustainable investment solutions focusing on diverse managers and impact investing, including a Diverse Manager Committee and an Impact Investing Committee with 20+ consultants serving 50+ clients. $34B has been invested with diverse firms and 40% of clients utilize diverse managers.

4Stratum One Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)
CategoryRetirement / DC Plan Offering
Description

Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) launched to streamline retirement plan management through a partnership with Empower and NPPG. Provides fiduciary oversight and competitive investment pricing for pooled employer plan clients.

Scale indicator18 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership4 partners
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-10
Description

NEPC has a strategic relationship with Hightower Advisors, where NEPC serves as the institutional investment consulting partner providing investment strategies and funds through NEPC's OCIO division. Hightower acquired NEPC's OCIO division in 2024 for approximately $1.6 trillion in assets, and NEPC advises on over $1.5 trillion in client assets through this relationship. The partnership enables Hightower to offer expanded family office services to ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Strategic tierSupportingTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-10
Description

GTBA is a Los Angeles-based business management and family office firm that partners with Hightower and NEPC to provide comprehensive wealth and business management services for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Strategic tierSupportingTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2026-03-16
Description

NEPC partnered with Empower to launch Stratum One, a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), leveraging Empower's recordkeeping platform for the PEP offering that provides fiduciary oversight and competitive investment pricing.

Strategic tierSupportingTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2026-03-16
Description

NPPG is a partner in NEPC's Stratum One Pooled Employer Plan, contributing to the retirement plan management solution that leverages NEPC's OCIO platform for competitive investment pricing and fiduciary oversight.

Recent move6 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Mercer is a global investment consulting and OCIO provider serving institutional pensions, endowments, and foundations. Comparable to NEPC in serving institutional OCIO mandates but with broader HR/benefits consulting scale and deeper international footprint.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Cambridge Associates is a leading private investment consulting firm advising endowments, foundations, and private wealth clients on investment strategy and manager selection. Highly comparable to NEPC's E&F and OCIO offerings with similar research-driven approach.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Aon's investment consulting business provides OCIO and advisory services to institutional pension and DC clients. Comparable to NEPC in institutional consulting but operates within a broader risk and human capital consulting platform.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

WTW's investment business advises pension plans, endowments, and foundations on asset allocation and manager research. Comparable in institutional OCIO and advisory scope, with broader insurance and risk consulting integration.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Meketa is an employee-owned investment consulting firm serving public funds, corporate plans, E&F, and OCIO clients. Direct peer to NEPC given similar ownership structure, client segments, and mid-sized institutional focus.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Wilshire provides investment consulting, OCIO, and asset allocation services to institutional clients including pensions, foundations, and endowments. Comparable to NEPC across institutional segments and recently lost senior consultant Rose Dean to NEPC.

TypeDirect peer
Description

RVK is an institutional investment consulting firm serving corporate DB/DC, healthcare, public funds, and E&F clients. Comparable to NEPC in segment coverage and consulting model; several NEPC partners previously worked at Rocaton.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Marquette Associates is an independent investment consulting firm serving institutional clients including E&F, healthcare, and corporate plans. Comparable to NEPC in mid-sized institutional focus with similar research-driven model.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Segal Marco Advisors provides investment consulting to public sector, Taft-Hartley, and corporate DB clients. Comparable to NEPC in Taft-Hartley and public fund segments with similar employee-owned ethos.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Verus is an institutional investment consulting firm serving public funds, E&F, corporate plans, and healthcare clients. Comparable to NEPC in segment breadth and research-focused OCIO/advisory capabilities.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat6 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers8 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment8 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile8 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature3 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles13 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

NEPC

Investment Consultingnepc.com

NEPC is a Boston-based, employee-owned investment consulting firm that delivers advisory and OCIO services across asset allocation, manager research, and outsourced CIO to 400-plus institutional and private wealth clients managing more than $1.9 trillion in assets under advisement.

What NEPC does

NEPC, LLC is a Boston-headquartered, employee-owned investment consulting firm founded in 1986 by Richard M. Charlton. The firm operates a direct enterprise field sales motion across 17 offices (16 U.S. plus London), employing 380+ investment professionals and serving 400+ institutional and private wealth clients with $1.9T+ in assets under advisement as of 2026. NEPC is structured as a private LLC with no public ticker and no parent company.

The firm's offering splits into Advisory Solutions (investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement) and OCIO Services (full discretionary outsourced CIO). It serves eight specialized segments: Endowments & Foundations ($122B across 175 portfolios), Healthcare ($137B across 45+ clients), Defined Contribution ($680B across 300+ plans), Insurance ($56B across 35+ portfolios), Taft-Hartley ($51B across 50 clients), Corporate Defined Benefit ($128B across 95 plans), Public Funds ($890B across 70+ clients), and Private Wealth ($28.8B across 50 UHNW clients). Proprietary technology includes the Total Enterprise Management asset allocation tool, an Enterprise Risk Model for healthcare, and the NEPC OCIO Platform. A Sustainable Investment Solutions add-on covers impact investing and diverse manager access.

NEPC generates revenue through subscription/recurring investment advisory fees based on assets under advisement and scope of services, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Following the 2024 sale of its OCIO division to Hightower Advisors, NEPC continues to operate as a distinct entity with its own leadership, brand, and a strategic OCIO advisory relationship with Hightower covering $1.5T in client assets. The firm announced a leadership succession effective January 1, 2026: Tim McCusker as President (and CEO-designate in January 2027) and Sarah Samuels as Chief Investment Officer, alongside the promotion of nine new partners/principals.

NEPC firmographics

Firmographics
Name
NEPC
Legal name
NEPC, LLC
Website
https://nepc.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
1986
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
251–500 employees
Short description
NEPC is a Boston-based, employee-owned investment consulting firm that delivers advisory and OCIO services across asset allocation, manager research, and outsourced CIO to 400-plus institutional and private wealth clients managing more than $1.9 trillion in assets under advisement.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

NEPC industry classification

Industry
Product category
Investment Consulting
NAICS
Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)
SIC
Investment Advice (6282)
akta.pro primary industry
Institutional Consulting RIAs (OCIO/Endowments/Foundations/Pensions) (FSAAACAG)
akta.pro secondary industry
Institutional Consultants & Fiduciary Management (Investment Consulting) (FSAAAGAJ)

Keywords

  • Investment consulting services
  • Outsourced CIO services
  • Institutional asset allocation
  • Defined contribution consulting
  • Pension fund advisory

Where NEPC is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Boston
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

NEPC business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

  1. Investment Advisory Services: NEPC generates revenue through investment consulting fees for advisory and OCIO services. Fees are typically based on assets under advisement and the scope of services provided. The firm operates as an employee-owned partnership structure.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
SubscriptionAnnualCustom institutional consulting services

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

NEPC product offering

Product offering

Core offering

NEPC is a full-service investment consulting firm that provides research-driven Advisory Solutions (investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement) and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) Services to institutional and private wealth clients. The firm combines proprietary analytical tools, deep multi-asset-class research, and a 6:1 client-to-consultant service model to advise on approximately $1.9 trillion in client assets across 400+ clients.

Product overview

NEPC is a full-service investment consulting firm offering a unified platform combining Advisory Solutions and OCIO Services. The Advisory Solutions module provides traditional consulting across investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement, and vendor search. The OCIO Services module offers full outsourced CIO capabilities. Both services span across specialized sub-brands serving distinct client segments: Endowments & Foundations, Healthcare, Defined Contribution, Insurance, Taft-Hartley, Corporate Defined Benefit, Public Funds, and Private Wealth. The firm also offers Sustainable Investment Solutions as an add-on focusing on diverse managers and impact investing. The overall architecture is a platform with multiple practice area modules, all drawing on shared research capabilities, investment teams, and proprietary tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • OCIO Services Outsourced Chief Investment Officer solution providing comprehensive and customized discretionary investment management with unbiased advice and no hidden incentives; combines strong governance with well-researched asset allocation and investment management solutions for institutional clients. Manages $153.5B in OCIO assets across 126 clients and 295 investment programs.
  • Advisory Solutions Investment advisory services including investment policy development, asset allocation, manager search and selection, operational due diligence, performance measurement, vendor search, and client education. Delivered across all client segments — endowments and foundations, healthcare, defined contribution, insurance, Taft-Hartley, corporate defined benefit, public funds, and private wealth.
  • Sustainable Investment Solutions Sustainable investment solutions focusing on diverse managers and impact investing, including a Diverse Manager Committee and an Impact Investing Committee with 20+ consultants serving 50+ clients. $34B has been invested with diverse firms and 40% of clients utilize diverse managers.
  • Stratum One Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) launched to streamline retirement plan management through a partnership with Empower and NPPG. Provides fiduciary oversight and competitive investment pricing for pooled employer plan clients.

Quantifiable outcome

  • 96% Taft-Hartley retention rate over ten years (through 12/31/2025)
  • +2 more outcomes

Companies that use NEPC

Customer profile

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

NEPC technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

NEPC partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

  • Hightower AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026NEPC has a strategic relationship with Hightower Advisors, where NEPC serves as the institutional investment consulting partner providing investment strategies and funds through NEPC's OCIO division. Hightower acquired NEPC's OCIO division in 2024 for approximately $1.6 trillion in assets, and NEPC advises on over $1.5 trillion in client assets through this relationship. The partnership enables Hightower to offer expanded family office services to ultra-high-net-worth clients.
  • GTBA (Gregg M. Teirstein & Associates)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026GTBA is a Los Angeles-based business management and family office firm that partners with Hightower and NEPC to provide comprehensive wealth and business management services for ultra-high-net-worth clients.
  • EmpowersupportingTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2026NEPC partnered with Empower to launch Stratum One, a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP), leveraging Empower's recordkeeping platform for the PEP offering that provides fiduciary oversight and competitive investment pricing.
  • NPPG (National Plan Participants Group)supportingTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2026NPPG is a partner in NEPC's Stratum One Pooled Employer Plan, contributing to the retirement plan management solution that leverages NEPC's OCIO platform for competitive investment pricing and fiduciary oversight.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

NEPC competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

  • Mercer Investment Consulting: Mercer is a global investment consulting and OCIO provider serving institutional pensions, endowments, and foundations. Comparable to NEPC in serving institutional OCIO mandates but with broader HR/benefits consulting scale and deeper international footprint.
  • Aon Investments: Aon's investment consulting business provides OCIO and advisory services to institutional pension and DC clients. Comparable to NEPC in institutional consulting but operates within a broader risk and human capital consulting platform.
  • Willis Towers Watson Investment Services: WTW's investment business advises pension plans, endowments, and foundations on asset allocation and manager research. Comparable in institutional OCIO and advisory scope, with broader insurance and risk consulting integration.

Direct peers

  • Cambridge Associates: Cambridge Associates is a leading private investment consulting firm advising endowments, foundations, and private wealth clients on investment strategy and manager selection. Highly comparable to NEPC's E&F and OCIO offerings with similar research-driven approach.
  • Meketa Investment Group: Meketa is an employee-owned investment consulting firm serving public funds, corporate plans, E&F, and OCIO clients. Direct peer to NEPC given similar ownership structure, client segments, and mid-sized institutional focus.
  • Wilshire Advisors: Wilshire provides investment consulting, OCIO, and asset allocation services to institutional clients including pensions, foundations, and endowments. Comparable to NEPC across institutional segments and recently lost senior consultant Rose Dean to NEPC.
  • RVK (Rocaton): RVK is an institutional investment consulting firm serving corporate DB/DC, healthcare, public funds, and E&F clients. Comparable to NEPC in segment coverage and consulting model; several NEPC partners previously worked at Rocaton.
  • Marquette Associates: Marquette Associates is an independent investment consulting firm serving institutional clients including E&F, healthcare, and corporate plans. Comparable to NEPC in mid-sized institutional focus with similar research-driven model.
  • Segal Marco Advisors: Segal Marco Advisors provides investment consulting to public sector, Taft-Hartley, and corporate DB clients. Comparable to NEPC in Taft-Hartley and public fund segments with similar employee-owned ethos.
  • Verus Investments: Verus is an institutional investment consulting firm serving public funds, E&F, corporate plans, and healthcare clients. Comparable to NEPC in segment breadth and research-focused OCIO/advisory capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

NEPC social profiles

Digital presence

NEPC financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

NEPC leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

NEPC funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

NEPC M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NEPC

What does NEPC do?

NEPC is a full-service investment consulting firm that provides research-driven Advisory Solutions (investment policy, asset allocation, manager search, operational due diligence, performance measurement) and OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) Services to institutional and private wealth clients. The firm combines proprietary analytical tools, deep multi-asset-class research, and a 6:1 client-to-consultant service model to advise on approximately $1.9 trillion in client assets across 400+ clients.

Is NEPC a public or private company?

NEPC is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.

When was NEPC founded?

NEPC was founded in 1986. It employs 251 to 500 people.

Where is NEPC based?

NEPC is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.

How does NEPC make money?

One revenue line is on record: investment Advisory Services.

Who are NEPC's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Mercer Investment Consulting, Aon Investments and Willis Towers Watson Investment Services. Direct peers are Cambridge Associates, Meketa Investment Group, Wilshire Advisors, RVK (Rocaton), Marquette Associates, Segal Marco Advisors and Verus Investments.

Does NEPC have an API?

No public API is recorded for NEPC.

What industry is NEPC in?

NEPC's product category is Investment Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAACAG, Institutional Consulting RIAs (OCIO/Endowments/Foundations/Pensions), with a secondary code of FSAAAGAJ, Institutional Consultants & Fiduciary Management (Investment Consulting). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.

Unlock the full company data

50 free credits on sign-up, no credit card required.

Contact sales
Live signals
InvestmentnewsHightower expands family office services for ultra-high-net-worth clientsHightower Advisors announced an expansion of its Hightower Family Office services in Chicago, integrating institutional investment consulting, estate planning, and family governance to support ultra-high-net-worth clients. The expansion leverages a strategic relationship with NEPC and a partnership with GTBA, enhancing resources for wealth and business management. This move aims to better serve clients' evolving needs and maintain advisor-client relationships.Business Wire BlogHightower Expands the Hightower Family Office for Ultra-High-Net-Worth FamiliesHightower Advisors expanded its Family Office to offer institutional investment consulting, advanced planning, family governance, tax and estate strategy, and business advisory services. The expansion leverages partnerships with NEPC, which advises over $1.5 trillion in assets, and GTBA, a Los Angeles-based firm. The move aims to help advisors serve clients with complex financial and legacy planning needs.EIN PresswireInstitutional Retirement Income Council Appoints Suzanne Raffaele and Mikaylee O’Connor to Board of DirectorsThe Institutional Retirement Income Council appointed Suzanne Raffaele and Mikaylee O'Connor to its Board of Directors, succeeding Martha Tejera and Martin Schmidt. Raffaele leads retirement research at Retirement Leadership Forum, while O'Connor heads defined contribution strategy at NEPC. Their appointment aims to advance in-plan retirement income solutions in defined contribution plans.Wealth ManagementHightower Nearing Launch of Centralized Advisor PlatformHightower Advisors is launching Hightower One, a centralized wealth management platform, with initial rollout beginning this summer and full deployment by end of 2026, serving advisors in its Signature Wealth division before expanding to all advisors. The platform aims to consolidate assets currently managed across the firm's roughly 663 advisors under an open architecture framework, with investment strategies and funds provided by Hightower's NEPC institutional consulting and OCIO division, which the firm acquired in 2024. The firm also hired Roberto Stewart as president and chief business officer to lead enterprise services supporting the platform, as Signature Wealth targets $29 billion in assets under management.The Motley FoolNEPC Expands Corporate Bond Exposure With Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETFNEPC LLC increased its position in Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC) by acquiring 1,077,991 shares, according to an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, with the stake's quarter-end value rising by $81.88 million. Following the purchase, VTC represents 5.85% of NEPC's total 13F assets under management. The ETF tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond Index and had $1.64 billion in AUM as of the filing date, with shares priced at $78.51.PR NewswireNEPC Launches Pooled Employer Plan to Simplify Retirement Plan ManagementNEPC announced the launch of Stratum One, a Pooled Employer Plan designed to simplify retirement plan management by centralizing fiduciary oversight and reducing administrative burden. The plan brings together three specialized partners — NEPC serving as Pooled Plan Provider and 3(38) investment fiduciary, Empower providing recordkeeping and technology capabilities, and NPPG acting as the independent 3(16) administrative fiduciary. Stratum One will be available beginning May 1, 2026, offering institutionally governed defined contribution solutions leveraging NEPC's scale and three decades of market experience.PLANADVISERRetirement Industry Deals & People Moves – 2/20/2026NEPC LLC released its 20th annual DC Plan Trends Survey showing defined contribution plan assets grew 27-fold and participants increased eight-fold between 2004 and 2024, while investment management fees declined 67% and recordkeeping fees fell 26%. The survey identified four key trends: a shift from active to passive or blended target-date funds, significant structural changes to U.S. large-cap equity options by plan sponsors, increased scrutiny of managed account services with 14% of plans terminating them since late 2023, and growing use of alternative investments in white-label custom funds. The findings are based on responses from 14 recordkeepers representing 276 DC plans with $448 billion in aggregate assets and 3.2 million participants as of December 31, 2024.PLANADVISERDC Plans Shift Toward Passive TDFs, Lower FeesNEPC LLC released its 20th annual DC Plan Trends Survey showing that defined contribution plan assets grew 27-fold between 2004 and 2024, while investment management fees declined 67%, reflecting deliberate sponsor decisions and structural changes to the DC model. The survey identified four key trends: 59% of plans now offer passive target-date funds (up from active options at just 19%), one-third of sponsors made structural changes to U.S. large-cap equity options, 14% of plans terminated managed account services since 2023, and 21% of plans now use white-label custom funds with alternative investments. NEPC conducted the survey among 14 recordkeepers representing 276 plans with $448 billion in aggregate assets and 3.2 million participants as of December 31, 2024.PR NewswireNEPC's 20th Annual Survey Reveals Two Decades of Evolution in Defined Contribution PlansNEPC, LLC released findings from its 20th annual Defined Contribution Plan Trends Survey, marking two decades of data on DC plan evolution. Over the past 20 years, plan assets grew 27-fold and participants increased 8-fold, while investment management fees declined approximately 67% and recordkeeping fees fell 26% in the last decade alone. The survey also shows a sustained shift toward passive target date funds (now offered by 59% of plans), with plan sponsors increasingly moving away from fully active strategies and reassessing managed accounts (14% terminated over three years) and alternative investments.DakotaConsultant Led Private Credit Allocations from Q4 2025Institutional investors deployed capital into private credit strategies in Q4 2025, guided by investment consultants including Meketa Investment Group, Cambridge Associates, Albourne, Hamilton Lane, RVK, Aksia, StepStone, Callan Associates, NEPC, and AON. The consultants collectively directed several billion dollars across large public pension systems into strategies including direct lending, opportunistic credit, special situations, distressed, asset-based lending, and CLOs. The activity reflects continued emphasis on private credit as a core portfolio allocation for income generation and downside protection amid higher-for-longer rate expectations.