U

Membership-Based Research Network

[ for top retirement plan recordkeeping, investment only, and retirement advisory firms ]

Best Practice Research

Through our proprietary research process, we deliver insight into the challenges facing industry-leading firms and share best practice case studies of innovative solutions.

Meetings & Networking

Join senior retirement leaders to hear & discuss the findings from our research. Peer-to-peer interaction and research-backed insights make our events different from the typical conference.

Custom Advisory Services

Sometimes you need answers right away. Our ad hoc, customized support gives you answers to your urgent questions through surveys of your peers, data searches, or customized presentations.

How We Can Help

[ Recordkeepers ]
We help recordkeepers improve outcomes for plan sponsors and their employees through research such as:

  • Capitalizing on the 2021 In-Plan Retirement Income Opportunity
  • Selling Plans During and After a Pandemic
  • Operating in a New World of Virtual Relationship Management

See an example of research

[ Investment Only ]

Our research for DCIOs focuses on sales and product development, examples include:

  • Evolving the DCIO Sales Model
  • Understanding the Business Impact of CITs
  • Organizing Around the Insurance and Sub-advised Opportunity

See an example of research

[ Retirement Advisory Firms ]
Our research is a valuable tool as advisory firms look to grow their business and expand participant relationships. Topics include:

  • Growing into a True Distribution Powerhouse
  • Balancing Integration and Advisor Entrepreneurship
  • Using Advice to Bridge the Gap Between Retirement and Wealth

See an example of research

See an overview of our 2025 initiatives.

Learn More

Latest Publications

Fewer Gates, Bigger Stakes: DCIO in a More Controlled Ecosystem

Mar 20, 2026

The Retirement Leadership Forum’s annual in-person DCIO Forum, originally scheduled for February 23–24, was moved to a shortened virtual event due to severe winter weather. This report summarizes our research findings and insights from the virtual forum, attended by...

read more

Kicking Off 2026: Key Trends to Watch in the Coming Year

Feb 9, 2026

This report examines the retirement industry's business expectations for 2026 as well as the top trends that our members will be monitoring throughout the year. The research is based on surveys of recordkeeping sales, relationship management, and product leaders, as...

read more
SEE MORE PUBLICATIONS

From Our Members

We have more than a partnership with the RLF, we consider them an extension of our team. The relationship extends way beyond the quality of their research, their support for our critical decisions is very valuable.

Top 10 Asset Manager 
Top 10 Asset Manager

RLF has been such a wonderful partner and the support you provide feels so differentiated. Consistently, the organization trusts your insights and looks to you as a key and reputable source.

Top 10 Recordkeeper 
Top 10 Recordkeeper

Thank you so much for designing and administering a survey of the membership for us. Really appreciate your responsiveness and professionalism, as well as working within the confines of our tight timeline – the process went very smoothly throughout.

Top 10 Asset Manager 
Top 10 Asset Manager