We’re a fan of good news around here. We love celebrating! But when Mercer gives the US retirement savings system a “C” on the global scale we have to admit we feel a bit meh.

It’s one thing to be beaten by the Netherlands and Australia. Things start to hurt a bit when you’re beaten out of the top 20 by Canada … and even Kazakhstan.

So, what have the Kazakhs and the Canucks got right that we don’t? Let’s take a closer look.

With a civilian labor force of 4.5 million, Virginia leaders had a lot to think about when they realized a good chunk of those folks didn’t have workplace access to retirement savings. That’s all changing. We talk today with program director Peter Thompson about the present, the future, and what he’s seeing in this new space.

It’s not often that we dedicate ourselves to the topic of investment results and all the activity that goes into them. It’s true: small improvements in investment results over a long period of time makes for big impact.

At 5%, $100 a month deposited faithfully over 40 years can grow to over $153,000. (We’re using a simple calculator from Nerdwallet. Do try this at home).