In this episode of The Wave Strength, Pacific Life’s Christine Bass and Brian Galle sit down with Andrew Stumacher from AllianceBernstein to unpack 13 years of evolution in defined contribution lifetime income—and how a multi-insurer, institutionally priced solution is helping increase retirement confidence for participants.

Together they explore how Pacific Life and AllianceBernstein are collaborating to deliver guaranteed lifetime income, help preserve liquidity and offer flexibility, and help participants convert savings into sustainable retirement income for years to come.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How AllianceBernstein’s custom Lifetime Income Strategy has evolved over 13+ years

• Why a multi-insurer platform (including Pacific Life) can enhance diversification, capacity, and competitive pricing

• How regulatory tailwinds like SECURE 2.0 and a recent U.S. Department of Labor advisory opinion are supporting QDIA-compliant income solutions

• Ways this strategy helps participants address longevity risk and sequence-of-returns risk

• What plan sponsors, advisors, and consultants are asking for today—and why the discussion has shifted from “Why income?” to “How do we implement it?”

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 – Meet the Panel: Guest Introductions

02:55 – The History of Alliance Bernstein’s Product

04:56 – Evolution of Lifetime Income Solutions

06:40 – Pacific Life & Alliance Bernstein: Partnership for Retirement Confidence

09:16 – Market Changes & Regulatory Updates (SECURE 2.0, DOL Opinion)

12:06 – How the Solution Works: Flexibility, Growth, and Guarantees

15:01 – What Advisors, Plan Sponsors, and Participants Want

18:37 – Impact & Adoption: Success Stories and Metrics

25:31 – The Importance of the DOL Opinion Letter

28:40 – Final Takeaways from Each Guest

30:01 – Closing Remarks & Outro

As Head of Defined Contribution Lifetime Income, Christine is responsible for growing Pacific Life’s visibility in the lifetime income space. Prior to her current appointment, Christine was Head of Specialty Markets where she was responsible for the Institutional Fixed Annuity business. Christine joined Pacific Life in 2022 and has nearly 20 years of experience, across life, annuity, and institutional products in U.S. and international markets.

Brian Galle is a Senior Product Manager at Pacific Life, leading the integration of Lifetime Income solutions into Defined Contribution retirement plans. With over two decades of experience in product management and institutional retirement, Brian drives cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, market-ready solutions that enhance participant outcomes and operational efficiency. His strategic leadership has accelerated Pacific Life’s growth in the DCLI space.

Andrew Stumacher is a Senior Vice President and Managing Director for AB's Customized Defined Contribution Solutions. He is responsible for developing, implementing, and driving the growth of custom target-date, model portfolio, and retirement income strategies for the large and mega-size institutional plan market, in which AB serves as one of the largest managers in the U.S. Stumacher works in close collaboration with plan sponsors, consultants. and external business partners to develop innovative and flexible products to improve outcomes for DC plans and participants. He joined the firm in 2004 as a marketing analyst, focusing on strategy and development for new institutional products. From 2011 to 2017, Stumacher managed the integration of AB's DC products with recordkeepers, trustees, custodians, insurers, and investment managers as the DC partner relationship officer. He holds a BS in applied economics and management from Cornell University and an MBA from Wagner College as well as the Certified Annuity Specialist™ designation from the Institute of Business & Finance.

In this episode of The Wave Strength, host Jim Breen sits down with Major General Spider Marks and Lieutenant General Mike Groen. Our guests share their unique military backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, trust, character, and positivity. They also discuss Academy Securities and its mission to help veterans transition to civilian life, leveraging their military training in new careers. The episode also covers the formation of Academy's Geopolitical Intelligence Group, highlighting how their military experiences provide valuable insights for their clients.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Meet the Distinguished Guests

01:45 Spider Marks' Military Journey

03:25 Mike Groen's Military Experience

05:16 The Power of Positivity in Service

06:47 Academy Securities: Mission and Impact

12:49 Geopolitical Insights and Differentiation

16:32 Reflections on Military Service

25:19 Final Thoughts

About our Guests

Major General (Ret.) James A. “Spider” Marks is Head of Geopolitical Strategy and Senior Advisory Board Member at Academy Securities. General Marks is the Founder and President of The Marks Collaborative, an advisory for corporate leader development, education and training and has led entrepreneurial efforts in global primary research and national security. He served over 30 years in the Army holding every command position from infantry platoon leader to commanding general and was the senior intelligence officer in the LA Riots, the Balkans, Korea, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He culminated his career as the Commanding General of the US Army Intelligence Center and School at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf cluster, Bronze Star, and multiple combat, expeditionary and service ribbons. General Marks is a Master parachutist, authorized to wear Korean and Canadian Airborne wings, Air Assault qualified, and Honor Graduate of the US Army Ranger School. General Marks is a national security contributor to CNN and member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Michael Groen is an Academy Securities’ Geopolitical Intelligence Group Member as well as an Advisory Board Member. Lieutenant General Groen served over 36 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, culminating his career as the Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, and the senior executive for AI in the Department of Defense. He previously served at the National Security Agency, overseeing Computer Network Operations, and as the Director of Joint Staff Intelligence (JSJ2), working closely with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Secretary of Defense and Senior Leaders across the Department. Lieutenant General Groen is an experienced Marine commander and multi-tour combat veteran. He is the author of, With the First Marine Division in Iraq, No Greater Friend, No Worse Enemy.

Lieutenant General Groen’s expertise centers on transformative technology and its application in Defense, the Intelligence Community, and the commercial marketplace. He is a skilled advisor, with deep experience in the key roles of process, culture, technology, and ethics. His focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum implementation, National Security, and Digital Transformation. He has earned master's degrees in electrical engineering and applied physics from the Naval Postgraduate School. Today, he seeks to inform transformational change in defense technology, intelligence, and information capabilities against the backdrop of expanding definitions of national security and American competitiveness.

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In this special episode of The Wave Strength, recorded live from the floor of the 2025 NAPA 401(k) Summit in Las Vegas, Jim sits down with Steve McCoy, CEO of iJoin.

The two discuss the partnership between Pacific Life and iJoin, which brings Pacific Life’s lifetime income solution to iJoin’s national network of record-keepers, and explore the impact of making guaranteed lifetime income more personal and accessible for participants.

Listen in as they explore the evolving needs of advisors, differences between DB and DC participants, the growing need for plan personalization, education, and the future of lifetime income.

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About Steve McCoy

iJoin Chief Executive Officer – Chief Compliance Officer

Steve has more than 25 years of executive and sales-management experience in a variety of industries, including financial services and health care. His particular expertise is in leading organizations through periods of rapid growth, managing large sales and marketing organizations, and capital formation to deploy both organic and inorganic growth strategies. Prior to joining iJoin, Steve was CEO of 3D Asset Management, an independent RIA providing ETF model portfolios, technology and practice-management solutions to fee-based financial advisers. During his tenure as CEO, he led efforts to strengthen and reposition the business, develop an innovative financial technology platform and prepare the firm for a sale. Previously, Steve was Owner and EVP of Accounting Resources, a regional provider of accounting, payroll and insurance services. Having developed and sold the payroll and insurance segments of the business to ADP, Steve currently serves as Board Director capacity for the firm.

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In This Episode: ⁠

00:00⁠ Introduction ⁠

00:59⁠ Meet the Guest ⁠

02:39⁠ Pacific Life & iJoin Partnership ⁠

04:27⁠ Advisor Mindset & Industry Evolution ⁠

06:32⁠ Personalization & Future of Retirement ⁠

09:20⁠ iJoin’s Technology & Engagement ⁠

11:27⁠ Education & Industry Collaboration ⁠

11:52⁠ Closing Remarks

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Be sure to follow us ✅, and rate & review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ our podcast if you enjoy learning about the ways the retirement industry can help plan sponsors and participants achieve improved retirement outcomes.

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Topics include: Retirement Solutions, Lifetime Income, 401k, NAPA 2025, Pacific Life, iJoin, Retirement Income, National Association of Plan Advisors

In this insightful episode of The Wave Strength, host Jim Breen sits down with Will Hansen, Executive Director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America, to explore the essential elements of the plan sponsor mindset in today's evolving financial landscape.

They discuss key topics, including the importance of employee financial wellness, effective cost and risk management in retirement planning, and the latest innovations in plan design spurred by legislative changes like the SECURE Act. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities facing plan sponsors as they work to support diverse financial journeys and foster long-term financial health for their workforce.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on how we can better prepare for a financially secure retirement.

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About Will Hansen

Will Hansen serves as the Executive Director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) and Chief Government Affairs Officer for the American Retirement Association (ARA). At ARA, Will oversees all advocacy activities at the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of the five trade organizations within ARA; he joined ARA in 2019. In his PSCA role, Will champions advocacy, education, and insights for plan sponsors nationwide, helping them navigate complex regulatory landscapes and provide meaningful retirement solutions to their employees. His work is integral to advancing retirement policy and fostering financial security for the American workforce.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 Meet Will Hansen: Background and Experience

06:25 The Plan Sponsor Mindset

06:31 Employee Well-being and Financial Health

14:01 Cost and Risk Management

17:16 Plan Design and Optimization

19:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Academy Securities is empowering veterans in finance and helping them transition from success in the military to successful civilian lives.

In this episode of The Wave Strength, host Jim Breen has a compelling conversation with Spencer Wilcox from Academy Securities and Lance Doherty from Pacific Life's Global Institutional Investment Group.

The discussion centers on the initiatives of Academy Securities, a veteran-owned investment bank, in supporting those who’ve served as they move into careers in financial services. Spencer elaborates on their mission to mentor, hire, and train transitioning servicemen and women, while also highlighting the firm’s geopolitical intelligence capabilities.

Lance shares the reasons behind Pacific Life's collaboration with Academy Securities, emphasizing the mutual benefit and shared values in supporting veterans. The episode underscores the importance of creating career opportunities for post-service talent and fostering partnerships that align with social missions of national significance.

Tune in to hear inspiring stories of service and the impactful work being done to support former military professionals in their civilian journeys.

Be sure to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on teamwork, taking risks, and overcoming challenges.

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📺 Shorts Playlist

💻 LinkedIn

______________________________________

About Spencer Wilcox
Spencer Wilcox is President, Head of Capital Markets, at Academy Securities. Mr. Wilcox served in the United States Navy. During his service, Mr. Wilcox planned and led over 180 flying missions and over 50 armed missions as a helicopter aircraft commander. In Kabul, Afghanistan, Mr. Wilcox led a 7-man joint team and was instrumental in establishing the first-ever Commando training program for the Afghan government. Mr. Wilcox negotiated with 43 foreign governments, 80 ships, and several U.S. government agencies to plan and execute 24 strategic humanitarian missions under U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp.

Mr. Wilcox is a United States Naval Academy graduate with post-graduate work (MBA) at Columbia University – Columbia Business School and University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

About Lance Doherty
Lance Doherty is Assistant Vice President and Head of Institutional Capital Markets Group at Pacific Life. Lance’s responsibilities include Funding Agreements, FHLB funding, Working Capital Finance Investments, and Securities Lending businesses. Since joining Pacific life in 2006, he has held various roles within Corporate Treasury, including capital markets, liquidity management, and short-term investing.

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In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

00:53 Meet the Guests: Lance Doherty and Spencer Wilcox

01:44 The Mission and Value of GPFA

04:12 Academy Securities: Mission and Impact

05:39 Spencer Wilcox's Military Journey

07:52 Partnerships and Goals

14:06 Encouragement for Veterans

15:56 Final Thoughts

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#PacificLife #Veterans #FinancialServices #AcademySecurities

In this episode of The Wave Strength, host Jim Breen, head of Marketing at Pacific Life, is joined by Mike Domingos, AVP, head of Defined Benefit (PRT) for Pacific Life's Institutional team, to discuss Pacific Life's long-standing commitment to its policy owners, spanning over 80 years in the pension risk transfer (PRT) market. Highlighting the company's history of innovation, including early adoption in the buy-in space, Jim and Mike also preview goals for significant growth in the coming years. In addition, Mike emphasizes the importance of longevity and mutuality in driving Pacific Life to successfully navigate market cycles and fulfill promises. Tune in to learn more about Pacific Life’s vision for the future, strategic growth objectives, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Dive in and catch this episode now, on The Wave Strength!

About Mike Domingos
AVP, Head of Defined Benefit (PRT)
Michael Domingos is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the institutional marketplace. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth, enhancing team performance, and driving positive client outcomes. Michael has held senior leadership roles at OneAmerica and Prudential Financial, where he led distribution organizations to achieve record-level revenue results. He has also consulted several organizations from Fortune 500 to early-stage Fintech companies on business and growth strategies. In the role as Head of Defined Benefit Michael is responsible for the growth of the Pension Risk Transfer business and building on Pacific Life’s legacy as a leading provider in this market. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from the University of Hartford.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

00:43 Welcome to The Wave Strength Podcast

01:03 Meet Mike Domingos: Head of Pension Risk Transfer

01:28 Pacific Life's Pension Risk Transfer Journey

03:49 The Legacy and Innovation of Pacific Life

05:42 The Unique Value of Pacific Life's Mutuality

08:24 Commitment to Secure Retirements

09:55 Future Growth and Opportunities

12:05 Final Thoughts

Be sure to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on how the retirement industry can help plan sponsors and participants achieve improved retirement outcomes.

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🎙 Spotify:

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💻 LinkedIn:

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#Innovation #ForwardThinking #MarketGrowth #pacificlife #leadership #PensionRiskTransfer #PRT #DefinedBenefit #Pacificlife #FinanceWithHeart #HumanCenteredFinance #ClientCommitment

Join us on this episode of The Wave Strength as host Jim Breen interviews Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association (ARA), and Karen Neeley, Senior Vice President and Head of Institutional Retirement Solutions Group at Pacific Life. Brian and Karen discuss the critical role of education, innovation, and legislative efforts in shaping the future of retirement planning. Learn about the importance of lifetime income solutions, the impact of recent legislation, and the collaborative efforts needed to drive meaningful change in the industry. Discover how ARA and Pacific Life are working together to enhance retirement security. Don't miss this insightful conversation with two industry leaders! 

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🌊 The Wave Strength Playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLoprQ4Cy36n6VvMebFQK9dDE4Zv14_ck 

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLoprQ4Cy36nXZH-h3mntHiyfQshRyCbB 

🎙 Spotify: 

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thewavestrength 

💻 LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pacific-life-institutional-business/ 

About Brian Graff
Brian H. Graff, Esq., is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA), the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), the National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA), and the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA). Graff oversees the American Retirement Association’s operations, and working with the Board of Directors, charts the strategic direction for the organization. Graff also serves as the Executive Director of ASPPA and NAPA. The American Retirement Association is a national organization of more than 25,000 retirement plan professionals who provide advisory and administrative services for qualified retirement plans covering tens of millions of American workers. Graff received his doctoral degree in law, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Philadelphia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting with distinction from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

About Karen Neeley: 
Senior Vice President, Head of Institutional Retirement Solutions Group
Karen is the head of Institutional Retirement Solutions at Pacific Life, where she leads the Pension Risk Transfer and Defined Contribution Lifetime Income business lines. She is responsible for go-to-market strategy, product development, distribution, operations, and customer engagement. Karen has served in the financial services industry for nearly two decades, with extensive experience in retirement, across the defined benefit and defined contribution sectors. Prior to joining Pacific Life in 2023, she held leadership positions across distribution, strategy, and actuarial, with an emphasis on transformative growth and delivering retirement outcomes, at several Fortune 500 companies. In 2025, she joined the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA) Executive Committee as Vice Chair of the Retirement Income Committee. 

In This Episode: 

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Meet the Guests: Karen Neeley and Brian Graff

01:20 Karen Neeley's Background and Role

02:09 Brian Graff's Background and Role

03:35 Overview of ARA's Sister Organizations

05:39 The Energy of NAPA Conferences

07:49 Importance of Engagement and Communication

08:36 Retirement Income Solutions and Education

13:02 Legislative Efforts and Innovations

16:58 Future Goals of the ARA

20:43 The Importance of Social Security

24:41 Connecting with the ARA

25:45 Final Thoughts

#RetirementPlanning #NAPA #ARA #PacificLife #IncomeSolutions

In this insightful episode, Will Hansen, Chief Government Affairs Officer at the American Retirement Association, joins The Wave Strength for a dive deep into the evolving regulatory landscape for retirement plans, including key provisions of SECURE 2.0 and the anticipated SECURE 3.0. Discover how data-driven personalization and emerging AI technologies are reshaping plan administration and participant engagement. This discussion offers actionable strategies, industry updates, and a glimpse into the future of retirement solutions.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts on how we can better prepare for a financially secure retirement.

Catch the wave!

🌊 The Wave Strength Playlist:

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🎙 Spotify:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thewavestrength

💻 LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/pacific-life-institutional-business/

About Will Hansen

Will Hansen serves as the Executive Director of the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) and Chief Government Affairs Officer for the American Retirement Association (ARA). At ARA, Will oversees all advocacy activities at the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of the five trade organizations within ARA; he joined ARA in 2019. In his PSCA role, Will champions advocacy, education, and insights for plan sponsors nationwide, helping them navigate complex regulatory landscapes and provide meaningful retirement solutions to their employees. His work is integral to advancing retirement policy and fostering financial security for the American workforce.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Meet the Guest: Will Hansen

02:23 The Importance of Legislative Advocacy

04:22 Navigating Regulatory Changes

06:26 Best Practices for Compliance

10:45 The Role of Technology in Retirement Solutions

17:25 Using Data for Personalization

19:04 Looking Ahead: SECURE Act 3.0

20:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#RetirementPlanning #EmployeeBenefits #AmericanRetirementAssociation #PacificLife