Congratulations to the NAGDCA President’s Award Winners!
NAGDCA proudly recognizes the recipients of the 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.
Each year, the NAGDCA Awards Committee carefully reviews and scores all nominations, and selects the top three finalists before choosing the winners. Presented annually to two plans—one large (assets of $500 million or more) and one standard (under $500 million)—the award ensures plans of all sizes are recognized for their outstanding impact.
2026 STANDARD PLAN WINNER
UMC Health System
Transforming a Fragmented Retirement Program into a More Participant-Centered Experience
UMC Health System undertook a multi-year effort to modernize its retirement program and create a simpler, more participant-centered experience. Previously, its 403(b) and 457(b) plans were spread across multiple providers and supported by manual processes, creating administrative complexity and making it more difficult to provide consistent participant support.
UMC selected a single recordkeeper for both plans and strengthened its governance structure through a formal investment committee and an independent 3(38) investment fiduciary. The new program also introduced transparent pricing, low-cost investment options, open architecture, and improved reporting. Integration with Workday further streamlined administration and made it easier for employees to access and manage their retirement benefits.
The plan design was also enhanced by expanding UMC’s 5% employer match to include Roth contributions. A comprehensive communication and education campaign supported the transition, with virtual meetings, on-site seminars, enrollment assistance, and one-on-one consultations helping employees understand the changes and make informed decisions about their retirement savings.
Results
The program’s impact was significant in the 15 months following implementation:
- 60% increase in participants with account balances, from 1,757 to 2,810
- 52% increase in active deferrals, from 1,807 to 2,750
- 71% increase in participant accounts, from 1,820 to 3,121
- 634% increase in Roth utilization, from 114 to 837 users
- Active deferral participation increased from approximately 36% to 55%
- Eligible employees with retirement plan balances increased from approximately 35% to 56%
Through stronger governance, thoughtful plan design, streamlined administration, and a sustained focus on participant education, UMC Health System created a retirement program designed around the needs of its employees.
Click here to learn more about the award-winning campaign.
2026 LARGE PLAN WINNER
City of Milwaukee Deferred Compensation Plan
Making Financial Wellness an Integral Part of Retirement Readiness
The City of Milwaukee Deferred Compensation Plan has transformed financial wellness from a passive educational resource into an incentive-based strategy that encourages employees to take action. Since 2018, the plan has integrated financial wellness into the City’s Healthy Rewards employee wellness program, creating a direct connection between financial education and an existing employee benefit.
Employees and their spouses can earn Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) contributions by completing financial wellness activities. These activities include meeting with a Voya representative and participating in on-demand financial education seminars covering topics such as retirement income, Social Security, budgeting, debt, and emergency savings. Employees can earn up to $700 in annual HRA contributions through the Healthy Rewards program.
The plan has paired these incentives with personalized support, including one-on-one consultations and ongoing education. This approach has made financial wellness more accessible, measurable, and actionable while giving employees multiple ways to engage based on their individual needs.
Results
The initiative has produced sustained engagement and measurable differences in retirement savings:
- More than 11,000 financial wellness seminars conducted since 2018
- More than 10,000 hours of financial education provided
- 586 one-on-one consultations conducted in 2025
- More than 10,000 participants and approximately $1.33 billion in plan assets
- Plan participation has consistently remained above 90%
- Employees who engaged in financial wellness activities saved 24% to 68% more than non-engaged employees across multiple years
- Participation among Black/African American employees increased from 62% to 84%
- Participation among Hispanic/Latino employees increased from 69% to 83%
- Participation among female employees increased from 66% to 84%
By combining financial education, personalized guidance, and meaningful incentives, the City of Milwaukee has built a scalable model that encourages employees to engage with their finances and strengthen their retirement readiness.
