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̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ University has been honored with first place at the Eddy Awards for the best retirement plan transition in the non-profit sector. Named best-in-class among more than 1,000 entries nationwide, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ is recognized for its innovative work to improve retirement planning for its employees by increasing employee engagement, retirement readiness, and financial security.

The award-winning initiative spearheaded by Lisa Schwartzenburg, assistant vice president for human resources operations, is a prime example of leadership and dedication to employee financial wellness. Schwartzenburg and her team worked tirelessly over the course of nearly a year to implement a comprehensive strategy that would help employees make more informed decisions about their retirement.

The centerpiece of their efforts is the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Target Date Retirement Fund, a custom target-date series that includes a built-in income annuity -- designed to give employees more flexibility in how they plan for their financial future.

“We really wanted to create a retirement plan that could be tailored to everyone’s needs,” said Schwartzenburg. “The goal was to help our employees make informed decisions and feel more confident about their retirement, no matter where they are in their career.”

A Focus on the Employee

Accepting the award at the annual Pensions & Investments Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Schwartzenburg emphasized finding the best retirement solutions for University faculty and staff.

“We know how important a solid retirement plan is to our current employees and job seekers considering ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡. Our ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Target Date Retirement Fund allows employees an option to choose lifetime monthly income payment, once they retire.”

Here are just a few:

Personalized Retirement Support: The new ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Target Date Retirement Fund offers more flexibility, with a built-in annuity option and the ability to choose investments that work for you. It’s a big step up from a one-size-fits-all approach, giving you more control over your financial future.

Better Engagement and Participation: One of the highlights of this transition is how many people actually got involved. More than 90% of participants opted into the new target-date series, which shows that the changes really resonated with employees. It’s not just a retirement plan -- it’s something that people are excited about and feel confident using.

Clear, Accessible Education: A comprehensive educational campaign was critical to the transition’s success, including webinars, in-person meetings, digital office hours, and detailed guides to walk employees through the changes. This hands-on approach helped participants better understand their retirement options, empowering them to take control of their financial futures.

National Recognition for Employee Well-being: Winning this award recognizes ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡’s retirement plan as an industry leader. It highlights how seriously the University takes employee financial wellness and demonstrates a commitment to long-term support for its community.

A Win for Spokane: The award also shines a spotlight on the world-class work being done in Spokane to support employees' financial futures. Schwartzenburg, a Leadership Spokane graduate and GU alum, points to the talent ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ attracts nationally and internationally. “The success of this project is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our entire HR team,” she says. “The University’s mission focuses on care for the whole person. We’re honored to be recognized for providing our employees this level of support.”

Through active engagement and comprehensive support, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ University has not only set a new standard in retirement planning but has also demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing financial literacy and wellness for all employees.

“This is a huge win for everyone at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡,” says Schwartzenburg. “It’s exciting to see our University’s Benefits team recognized for their efforts to make retirement planning accessible, flexible, and engaging for all employees. It’s not just about a good retirement plan -- it’s about empowering employees to take charge of their futures with confidence.”

̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ The Eddy Awards

The Eddy Awards, presented annually by Pensions & Investments, recognize outstanding communication and education efforts in retirement plans. Winning campaigns are celebrated for their effectiveness in improving employee engagement and preparing participants for a secure financial future.