TIAA Clients Excel in Retirement Innovation at 2026 Eddy Awards

TIAA, a renowned provider of retirement services, proudly announced that its clients have won three prestigious first-place honors at the 2026 Pensions & Investments Eddy Awards. These awards, co-sponsored by Pensions & Investments and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA), recognize the innovative strategies of defined contribution plan executives aimed at enhancing outcomes for retirement plan participants.

Celebrating Retirement Achievement

The awards highlighted the exceptional achievements of TIAA clients who transitioned to the RetirePlus retirement strategy. This customizable plan is designed to offer affordable, managed investments and a clear pathway to guaranteed lifetime income through TIAA's flagship annuity, TIAA Traditional. Kourtney Gibson, CEO of TIAA Retirement Solutions, emphasized the dedication of the plan sponsors in prioritizing employee financial wellness. “Their commitment leads to tangible results and greater financial security for the workforce,” she stated.

University of Iowa's Ambitious Retirement Overhaul

Among the winners, the University of Iowa shone brightly, clinching the first-place award for large organizations in the Plan Transitions category. The university undertook a significant overhaul of its retirement plan in collaboration with TIAA and advisor CAPTRUST. This initiative involved simplifying a previously complex investment menu, reducing costs for participants, and ultimately providing a clearer and more robust pathway to a secure retirement. Over just seven months, the university saw impressive outcomes, including the opening of over 43,000 new accounts and the movement of more than $6 billion in assets to the new plan. Remarkably, the opt-out rate remained below 1%, indicating strong engagement among eligible participants. The changes are projected to save participants approximately $3.3 million every year, with a noteworthy 13.5% improvement in a key measure of retirement readiness across the workforce.

UAB St. Vincent's Focus on Healthcare Workers

In the category of smaller organizations, UAB St. Vincent's, a healthcare institution in Birmingham, Alabama, impressed with its commitment to the financial well-being of its over 4,700 healthcare professionals. Since launching its TIAA retirement plan in November 2024, the hospital network achieved a remarkable 98% enrollment of eligible employees. A focused outreach campaign successfully facilitated $43 million in rolled-over retirement savings, including an impressive $8 million gathered in just four months, reinforcing UAB St. Vincent's status as a leader in promoting employee-centric retirement strategies within the healthcare sector.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Streamlines Retirement Planning

Worcester Polytechnic Institute also received recognition, taking first place in the Plan Conversions category. The institution shifted from utilizing multiple retirement service providers to adopting TIAA as its sole provider, thus simplifying the retirement experience for nearly 1,300 eligible employees. This change resulted in decreased fees and a simplified investment lineup, which in turn bolstered engagement. Following the transition, there was a 57% increase in calls to TIAA’s support center, nearly 10% growth in online registrations, and over 170 employees attending educational webinars to better understand their retirement options.

Additional Recognition for Glens Falls Hospital

Furthermore, Glens Falls Hospital earned third place in the Plan Conversions category for its transition to TIAA and the launch of a new retirement portfolio that includes a lifetime income option. Nearly 4,000 employees enrolled in the enhanced plan, benefitting from reduced fees, and TIAA consultants conducted over 380 meetings with hospital staff to ensure comprehensive understanding and engagement with the new offerings.

About TIAA

As a leading provider of retirement solutions, TIAA serves millions of individuals and thousands of institutions, ensuring secure retirement futures and goal-oriented investment strategies. In the previous year, TIAA paid out over $5.9 billion in lifetime income to clients and manages an impressive $1.5 trillion in assets as of March 31, 2026. With a steadfast commitment to enhancing the financial security of its clients, TIAA continues to be a pivotal player in the retirement services landscape.