About

The Defined Contribution Real Estate Council (DCREC) is an organization of investors, consultants, investment managers, attorneys, recordkeepers and other businesses dedicated to improving outcomes for defined contribution plan participants through the investment of retirement assets in direct or securitized real estate.  DCREC member firms represent over $1.5 trillion in total real estate assets including an estimated $40 billion invested in 16 daily valued real estate products.  DCREC focuses its efforts on advocacy and education while acting as a clearinghouse for industry best practices and is committed to engaging in a robust, open and candid debate to seek creative and innovative solutions to meet the needs of retirement investors.

Office buildings and multifamily housing, industrial properties and retail centers are all a vital part of the American economy and a major asset class, collectively representing about $6 trillion in investment. The Defined Contribution Real Estate Council provides education and resources to support the inclusion of real estate assets like these in the investment options offered by the $7.8 trillion defined contribution (DC) industry.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to promote the inclusion of investments in direct commercial real estate and real estate securities within defined contribution plans in order to improve participant outcomes by furthering education about, advocacy for, and best practices of such investments.

To fulfill this mission, we will:

SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE

Dialogue and cooperation among the leaders of the defined contribution community and others committed to the best interests of American workers who are passionate about improving defined contribution plan investment structures and design through real estate investment allocations;

ENCOURAGE AND SPONSOR

Research, publish analysis and insights, and host events that support the advancement of institutional approaches to including real estate and better defined contribution design which include real estate and real asset allocations;

IDENTIFY

Issues and remove barriers for plan sponsors so that they may pursue improved real estate allocations within defined contribution institutional investment structure.

In pursuing our mission, we agree that our decisions and actions will be driven by our understanding of the best interests of the industry, not individual agendas or goals.

We agree that as we work together:

  • We will maintain and respect our collective need for confidentiality;
  • We will encourage robust debate and aim to create an environment that promotes an open and candid exchange of ideas;
  • We will challenge the status quo and explore creative and innovative solutions;
  • We will remain accountable to ourselves and one another as stakeholders in executing the mission and living by these principles.


Implementing Real Estate in Defined Contribution Plans: Fulfilling a Critical Role (June 25, 2024) 

The Georgetown University CRI, in collaboration with the Defined Contribution Real Estate Council (DCREC), is pleased to offer a one-day invitation-only course focused on considerations for the inclusion of private real estate in defined contribution (DC) plans. The course will provide essential context for plan sponsors to look beyond traditional asset classes to strengthen participant outcomes.
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