Nationwide celebrates 2026 NAGDCA Leadership Recognition Award recipients
Nationwide congratulates the public-sector defined contribution plans recognized with 2026 National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA) Leadership Recognition Awards for their innovative programs, projects and campaigns designed to improve retirement readiness and participant outcomes.
Government member nominations were accepted in five categories and evaluated by the 2026 Awards Committee based on originality, effectiveness and measurable results. This year’s recipients demonstrate how thoughtful plan design, personalized communications, technology and holistic financial wellness initiatives can help participants build greater financial security.
“These awards are highly respected within our industry and reflect the creativity, dedication and commitment our partners bring to helping participants achieve greater financial security,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “This recognition is made possible by the strong partnerships between our clients and the Nationwide teams who support them every day.”
2026 NAGDCA Leadership Recognition Award recipients
City of Phoenix — Everyday Plan Champions: Real City of Phoenix Stories Driving Retirement Readiness
The City of Phoenix Plan Champion Campaign uses real employees to bring the Deferred Compensation Plan to life. Five Plan Champions from different departments share how they use plan tools and education to pursue their goals and build retirement confidence. Their stories appear across the plan website, emails, digital monitors, posters and the City’s Financial Expo, where Champions engage directly with their peers.
Video viewership and attention rates, along with continued growth in plan assets, contributions and education usage, show how relatable employee voices can help participants better understand and use their retirement benefits.
County of Monterey — Automatic Enrollment for Every New Hire
County of Monterey leadership and labor partners introduced automatic enrollment for two bargaining groups, CEMA and SEIU, in response to concerns about long-term retirement readiness. The approach was designed to encourage new employees to take action while preserving choice, flexibility and participant protections. The County has experienced significant increases in new-hire participation in its 457(b) plan, particularly during employees’ first year.
State of California Savings Plus Program — 2025 Fund Mapping & Redesign
California Savings Plus modernized the investment foundation of one of the nation’s largest public-sector retirement programs through a two-phase fund mapping and redesign initiative. The program simplified investment choice, lowered costs and strengthened default outcomes while maintaining participant confidence throughout a multibillion-dollar transition.
The redesign affected more than 200,000 participants and over $14 billion in assets. It transitioned participants into institutionally priced target-date funds, introduced stable value options, reduced lineup complexity and delivered an estimated $10 million in annualized participant fee savings. The implementation was completed with zero mapping errors and stable service levels.
California Savings Plus was also selected as one of the top three finalists in the large plan category for the 2026 NAGDCA Art Caple President’s Award, which honors excellence in public sector defined contribution plans. Established in memory of past NAGDCA President Art Caple, the award celebrates visionary leadership and innovation that enhance participants’ financial well-being.
Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, and one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States.
Nationwide Retirement Solutions administers nearly 32,000 retirement plans, helping protect nearly $200 billion in participant assets and helping secure the financial futures of more than 2.7 million participants. Nationwide services the highest volume of governmental 457(b) plans and has demonstrated significant growth in the corporate 401(k) and not-for-profit 403(b) markets.
Nationwide is committed to serving the retirement industry by doing the right thing at the right time through better participant experiences, administrative simplicity and values that translate to service. Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.
Source: 2026 Award Winners — NAGDCA
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