On March 2, 2026, Morningstar will assume exclusive responsibility for the Private Investor Index Series and Equity Risk Index Series previously managed by PIMFA. These benchmarks—five composite indices per series covering equities, fixed income, real estate, cash and alternatives—will be rebranded as the Morningstar PIMFA Investor and Equity Risk Index Series. Each index series will launch immediately with a full 10-year performance history and continue to reflect quarterly model-portfolio weightings derived from PIMFA’s membership surveys. The move follows a comprehensive review by PIMFA’s Indices Committee and positions Morningstar to manage assets spanning Conservative through Global Growth risk profiles for the UK’s wealth management community, which oversees £1.65 trillion in private savings and employs over 63,000 professionals.

In parallel, Morningstar’s Center for Retirement & Policy Studies unveiled its 2026 Managed Accounts Research Series alongside the Defined Contribution Outcomes Model (DCOM). Drawing on millions of participant records across thousands of U.S. workplace retirement plans, the study quantifies the impact of managed accounts on retirees’ wealth accumulation. Key findings include a 5.9% median boost in wealth-to-salary ratio at age 65 for target-date fund participants, an 11.4% uplift for self-directed investors and a 7.7% gain across all plan types. The youngest cohort (ages 20–24) using DIY managed accounts saw up to a 22% increase, while 92% of plans with auto-enrollment and auto-escalation also demonstrated improved projected retirement outcomes.

These developments reinforce Morningstar’s dual role as an index provider and retirement research authority. With approximately $352 billion in assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2025, the firm leverages its global reach—operating in 32 countries—to deliver transparent benchmarks and data-driven retirement solutions. Investors and plan sponsors can now access robust, industry-standard indices for portfolio performance measurement in the UK, while U.S. retirement-plan decision-makers benefit from actionable insights on managed accounts. Together, these initiatives aim to enhance confidence in multi-asset benchmarking and drive improved long-term outcomes for individual and institutional clients alike.