Welcome to the TIAA Consultant Newsletter: February Edition

Only 15% of participants can confidently explain what an annuity is, even when they have access to one in their retirement plan. So how do we close that knowledge gap?Welcome to the February edition of TIAA's Consultant Relations newsletter.

I'm Colin Feehan, Managing Director of Consultant Relations. New research from TIAA and the Wall Street Journal Intelligence surveyed 800 participants across education, health care, government and non-for-profit sectors. We found that while participants want lifetime income, knowledge gaps and behavioral barriers remain.

The good news? Participants told us what would help: clear explanations and one-on-one guidance. Visit the interactive digital experience linked to this month's newsletter to learn more.Also new this month is our refreshed Tax Center. Participants can now instantly access year-end retirement tax statements online and request mailed copies 24/7, reducing the administrative burden for plan sponsors during tax season.

For consultants advising on plan design, our latest thought leadership explores next-generation default solutions. TIAA RetirePlus lets plan sponsors build in downside protection with a guaranteed asset allocation in their default strategy, offering both growth potential and security.Finally, don't miss General Account CIO Emily Wiener's insights on investing in 2026. She reflects on economic surprises, explains why a steeper yield curve benefits liability-driven investors like TIAA's General Account, and shares how we're thinking about AI opportunities.

You'll find all this and more in this month's edition. As always, thank you for your partnership as we work together to support your clients and their participants.