…Let's Talk Defined Contribution with Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions

…Let's Talk Defined Contribution with Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions

Author: PGIM August 20, 2025 Duration: 27:01

Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions team, offers insights into the rapidly evolving defined contribution landscape and how alternatives may play an increasingly important role in this space.

 

Keshav and Josh discuss the compelling arguments for integrating alternative assets into DC plans. As global policymakers evaluate the role of alternative investments in customised solutions, they consider the challenges that must be addressed.

 

Subscribe to Speaking of Alternatives on your favourite podcast platform.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

● Preserving Financial Futures in DC. [3:01]

● Policy Initiatives & Alternative Investments in DC. [7:53]

● DC Headwinds Include Operational Complexities & an Environment of Litigation.  [11:37]

● Alternative Allocations in Defined Contributions. [18:53]

● Summing Up: Key Takeaways. [23:56]

 

*The views expressed herein are those of the speaker at the time the comments were made and may not be reflective of their current opinions and are subject to change without notice, and should not be considered investment advice.

 

Find Out More About Alternative Investing:

 

The Accidental Plan Sponsor Podcast: The Down Under Edition

realestate.investorservices.emea@pgim.com

@PGIM on X

@PGIM on Instagram

PGIM on LinkedIn

 

Shareables:

 

"We are doing a lot of this for the endworkers, savers, and retirees, and we know the solutions that we're working towards have a meaningful impact on their retirement readiness." — Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions team #PGIMPodcasts #investing

 

"The preferred application for investments in DC plans, specifically for alternative assets, is in multi-asset strategies." — Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions team #PGIMPodcasts #investing #investing #alternativeinvesting

 

"We need to be careful about bucketing all alternative assets into one segment. They impact a portfolio differently." — Josh Cohen, Managing Director of PGIM's DC Solutions team #PGIMPodcasts #investing #investing #institutionalnvesting


PGIM's Speaking of Alternatives offers a clear-eyed conversation about a part of the financial world that often feels shrouded in complexity. This isn't about dry lectures or sales pitches; instead, each episode sits down with seasoned practitioners and thinkers who operate in the trenches of private equity, real assets, hedge funds, and other non-traditional avenues. The dialogue focuses on the practical realities and long-term shifts within these markets, moving far beyond the fleeting news cycle. You'll hear how allocators are actually navigating current economic crosswinds, which structural trends are creating genuine opportunity, and how the very definition of "alternative" continues to evolve. The perspective is intentionally global, acknowledging that compelling strategies and risks can emerge anywhere. By demystifying the jargon and focusing on tangible insights, this podcast serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the forces shaping portfolio construction today. It’s a monthly dose of nuanced analysis for investors, advisors, and the intellectually curious who recognize that the conventional playbook is rarely sufficient. Tune in for straightforward discussions that respect the sophistication of the topic without losing the listener in unnecessary abstraction.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Speaking of Alternatives
Podcast Episodes
...Let's Talk Core Plus Real Estate Investing with Darin Bright [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:54
Darin Bright is the Head of Core Plus Strategies at PGIM Real Estate. Darin is passionate about real estate investing and cultivating strong relationships within the investment community. Keshav and Darin examine the tan…
...Let's Talk Investing in Infrastructure with Bill Pappas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:17
Bill Pappas is the Managing Director and Head of Core Infrastructure and Structured Credit at PGIM Private Capital. As a veteran of structured credit and finance within the infrastructure industry, he shares a wealth of…
...Let's Talk Emerging Market Trends with Mariusz Banasiak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:53
Mariusz Banasiak, CFA, a Managing Director and Head of Local Currency Rates and FX for PGIM Fixed Income's Emerging Markets Debt Team discusses the opportunities and challenges of this rapidly changing field. Emerging ma…
...Let's Talk Data Centers with Jim Footh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:32
Jim Footh, Managing Director, Data Center Investments & Portfolio Management at PGIM real estate, discusses the fast-growing investment potential of data centers, and how AI is further fueling this trend. Data centers ar…
...Let's Talk Affordable US Housing with Soultana Reigle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:49
Soultana Reigle, Head of U.S. Equity and Senior Portfolio Manager for U.S. Value-Add Strategies at PGIM Real Estate, traverses one of the great societal challenges in the U.S. and globally, the affordable housing market…