Today, BlackRock and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a new white paper which outlines key findings and policy recommendations resulting from their March 2025 Retirement Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Retirement Summit brought together leaders to explore ways the public and private sectors can collaborate to ensure that more Americans can achieve a financially secure retirement. The event convened corporate leaders, small-business owners, union representatives, pensioners, and state and federal policymakers. The discussion featured personal anecdotes, policy proposals, and bipartisan consensus on practical ideas to strengthen Americans’ financial futures.
Among the key findings, today’s report highlights the power of early wealth building in enabling more people to participate in capital markets and experience long-term financial wellness. Recently, there has been federal momentum for a White House endorsed proposal which would create tax-preferred investment accounts for newborn American children that would be seeded with $1,000 in federal funds.
BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink offered the following comment on this development:
“An investment account for every American at birth is a powerful investment in our country’s future. Ownership creates connection. Early childhood savings were a key recommendation from BlackRock’s recent Retirement Summit, with bipartisan support. We applaud this latest step forward in making this a reality.”
Early wealth building has also been a key priority of The BlackRock Foundation, which has been working to increase early wealth building engagement, particularly among children with the greatest need.
The BPC-BlackRock paper presents findings and recommendations focused on five key themes:
- Expanding access to retirement plans
- A corporate coverage standard
- Emergency savings and early wealth building
- Income during retirement
- Strengthening defined benefit plans
The paper offers a roadmap for addressing the pressing concerns in how Americans view their own retirement savings and security. New BlackRock research continues to underscore these concerns, with nearly 40% of Americans worrying about their retirement savings at least once a day.
Read more takeaways and recommendations in the full white paper here.
