Teresa Ghilarducci once called the 401k an immature, underdeveloped child that needs help over a mudpuddle to the curb when crossing a street. While we disagree, we love the imagery. A labor economist and nationally recognized expert in retirement security with The New School for Social Research, Ghilarducci is a consistent and prolific advocate for a better system, however defined.
She often partners with industry and political heavyweights like Blackstone’s Tony James and presidential advisor Kevin Hassett. We asked if she still feels the same way about 401ks, what a well-designed system needs (in her opinion), and why 401k father Ted Benna agrees with her view.