How well do employers really know their plan participants — and are they using that data in participants' best interests?

In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao welcomes Katrina Berishaj, Chair of ERISA and Employee Benefits at Stradley Ronon, for a deep discussion on the evolving responsibilities of fiduciaries, especially in the defined contribution plan space.

They explore how employers and advisors can meet their fiduciary obligations more effectively — not just by offering plans, but by understanding their participants' needs, behaviors, and goals.

Katrina shares actionable insights into:
- Why participant engagement remains a persistent barrier to retirement readiness
- The increasing value of employer-held data — and the ethical obligation to use it-
How managed accounts and personalized investment solutions are evolving
- The risks of failing to adapt: from liability to participant detriment
- Where financial institutions are making strides (and where they’re still falling short)

This thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for plan sponsors, advisors, and anyone navigating the future of retirement plans.

🔗 Listen now for a grounded, expert take on fiduciary strategy and the human side of retirement planning.

👓 Learn more about our GUEST

Katrina Berishaj
Chair of ERISA & Employee Benefits
Stradley Ronon

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
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DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

How stable is today's world order — really?
In this episode of the Tao of Chao podcast, Philip Chao sits down with Dr. Brian Wong, Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong and geopolitical strategist, to unpack the evolving dynamics between the United States and China. Together, they explore the fragile nature of the so-called unipolar world, the emerging complexities of multipolarity, and why both America and China may be their own greatest obstacles.

Brian shares deep insights into:

• Why the U.S. still commands unparalleled global influence — despite internal fractures
• How China's internal challenges and external pressures shape its strategic patience
• The critical need for safety nets, private sector revitalization, and structural reform within China
• The misconceptions about capitalism, populism, and elite influence in shaping today's global tensions
• Why no grand strategy may be steering the escalating U.S.-China tariff war

This thought-provoking conversation bridges philosophy, geopolitics, and economics to offer listeners a broader perspective on where the world might be heading — and what it means for investors, policymakers, and everyday citizens alike.

🔗 Listen now to discover the deeper forces reshaping the global landscape.

👓 Learn more about our GUEST

Dr. Brian Wong
Assistant Professor
University of Hong Kong

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.

Retirement income planning requires balancing competing priorities and understanding crucial trade-offs. In this episode, Jessica Sclafani, Global Retirement Strategist at T. Rowe Price, introduces their innovative five-dimensional framework for evaluating retirement income solutions.

Traditional retirement planning often focuses solely on accumulation, but converting savings into sustainable income presents unique challenges. Jessica explains how plan sponsors and financial advisors can use this holistic framework to evaluate retirement income options based on five critical dimensions: longevity risk hedge, level of payments, volatility of payments, unexpected balance depletion, and liquidity of balance.

Key Topics:

• How to balance guaranteed income with flexibility needs
• Why one-size-fits-all retirement solutions rarely work
• Using visualization tools to understand product trade-offs
• Considerations for fiduciaries when selecting retirement solutions
• Strategies for participants with existing defined benefit plans

This conversation provides plan fiduciaries, advisors, and individual investors with a powerful framework to make more informed retirement income decisions.

👓 Learn more about our GUEST

Jessica Sclafani, CAIA
Global Retirement Strategist
T. Rowe Price
Follow Jessica on LinkedIn

👓 Learn more about our HOST

Philip Chao
Website: https://philipchao.us
Follow Philip on LinkedIn

DISCLOSURE: Views expressed in the Tao of Chao podcasts are individual opinions and they do not represent the employers of each guest or the firm with which each guest is associated. Our podcasts are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be deemed or viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Please consult your personal financial advisor, investment expert, or investment fiduciary before taking any actions about your plan and investments.