Brendan McCarthy

Brendan is the Head of Retirement Investing for Nuveen where he is responsible for the firm’s DCIO efforts in the U.S. In this role, he leads strategy and distribution for Nuveen investment and TIAA lifetime income solutions in the 401(k), 403(b) and 457 marketplaces. He joined the organization in 2015.

As an influential voice in the retirement industry, Brendan serves on a number of advisory boards and contributes to a number of industry trade groups, including SPARK, Money Management Institute, NAPA, IRIC, and DCIIA. A regular advocate for retirement policy on Capitol Hill, he frequently engages with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to advance legislative solutions that strengthen retirement security for American workers. His strategic insights and thought leadership have earned multiple recognitions, including #35 on the 2022 “401kWire 100 Most Influential People” list, and 2024 and 2025 NAPA Social Media Influencers list, reflecting his significant impact on retirement policy, practice, and industry dialogue. 

Brendan brings more than two decades of retirement leadership experience to advancing retirement security. His expertise spans the full retirement ecosystem, from product innovation to distribution strategy, making him a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and a frequently cited source for major financial publications including the Financial Times, Barron's, The Economist, Pensions & Investments, Investment News, and PlanSponsor magazine. His multi-channel influence extends from digital thought leadership to direct engagement with federal legislators on critical retirement policy issues. Prior to TIAA, he served as Chief Operating Officer of F-Squared Retirement Solutions, a subsidiary of F-Squared Investments, where he led the firm's retirement investment business. His earlier tenure at Putnam Investments included progressive leadership roles Senior Vice President of DCIO Business Development, where he developed market-leading retirement strategies, and key positions in 401(k) product development, DCIO relationship management, and institutional trust services.

Brendan graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College and an M.B.A. from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.