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The strategic advantage of an integrated approach to defined benefit plan management

For finance and HR leaders focused on balancing cost control and employee satisfaction, an integrated approach to managing a defined benefit plan offers advantages across the board.

By: Fidelity Investments

Updated: 1/6/2026

Key Takeaways

For organizations that sponsor defined benefit (DB) plans, effectively communicating the value of these plans while navigating their inherent financial complexities presents a unique and strategic challenge.
Participants need to understand the value of the DB benefit, and how it integrates with their defined contribution (DC) plan and other savings sources to understand their total retirement picture and make the most-informed decisions.
And for plan sponsors—particularly in times of significant market volatility and dramatic interest rate changes—real-time cost calculations and accurate projections are essential to avoiding unwanted surprises.

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