Pensions & Investments and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association are introducing the P&I/DCIIA Plan Sponsor Workplace Excellence Awards, a new program for 2026 recognizing executives who are strengthening workplace retirement plans and improving outcomes for participants. The awards nominations will launch in the spring and inaugural award recipients will be recognized at the DC West conference on Oct. 25-27 in Huntington Beach, Calif.

The focus on driving successful outcomes has been accelerating in defined contribution plans, and Pensions & Investments and DCIIA want to highlight and celebrate the plan sponsors that are leading the charge.

The initiative marks an evolution of P&I and DCIIA’s long-running Excellence & Innovation Awards, first introduced in 2011, and presented annually at DC West. The new Workplace Excellence Awards program broadens the focus to recognize more plan sponsors and highlight leading practices across retirement plan management.

Each year, plan sponsors will be recognized in five categories: Plan Design, Investments, Technology/Use of AI, Financial Wellbeing and Bright Idea, which will spotlight creative initiatives that don’t fall into the prior categories.

The program aims to showcase sponsors advancing innovation and strengthening retirement security for millions of employees across the U.S.

***NOTE: Only DC plan sponsor executives and their teams are eligible for the awards, which will recognize work being implemented on or after January 2025. Anyone other than a plan sponsor will be disqualified.

For those looking to showcase plan sponsors' best practices in participant communications, education and engagement, please submit your campaigns for the 2026 Eddy Awards, which will open for nominations in September 2026. 

Workplace Excellence Award winners will be announced and recognized at Pensions & Investments’ 2026 West Coast Defined Contribution Conference, to be held Oct. 25 - 27, 2026.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 15, 2026.  There is no fee to enter.