AllianceBernstein, Brookfield, and Carlyle Unveil Turnkey Private-Markets Solution for Defined Contribution Plans

AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB), Brookfield Asset Management and Carlyle announced ABC [ONE], a turnkey private-markets solution for defined contribution plans’ QDIAs.

Rhea-AI Summary

AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB), Brookfield Asset Management and Carlyle announced ABC [ONE], a turnkey private-markets solution for defined contribution plans’ QDIAs. The offering allocates across private credit, private real assets and private equity, dynamically adjusting by participant age, and uses AB’s DC technology platform and target-date expertise.

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Key Figures

Custom TDF AUM: $105 billion Operating history: 125 years

Custom TDF AUM

$105 billion

AB assets under management in custom target date solutions (Q1 2026)

Operating history

125 years

Brookfield experience owning, operating and investing in real assets

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 11

5 events

1. May 11

   AI partnership

   24h Move

   -1.7%

   Announced $500 million strategic AI partnership with OpenAI Deployment Company.

2. May 08

   Annual meeting results

   24h Move

   -1.7%

   Reported annual meeting with all 12 directors elected with 97.92–99.93% support.

3. May 08

   Q1 2026 earnings

   24h Move

   +2.0%

   Strong Q1 2026 fee-related earnings of $772M and LTM FRE of $3.1B.

4. May 06

   Peakstone acquisition

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   Completed all-cash $1.2B Peakstone Realty Trust acquisition at $21 per share.

5. May 01

   Peer earnings

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   GrafTech Q1 2026 results showed net loss of $43.3M and negative EBITDA.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

defined contribution, qualified default investment alternative, target-date fund, managed-account solution, +4 more

8 terms

defined contribution financial

"turnkey private markets solution for Defined Contribution (DC) plans providing broader"

A defined contribution plan is a retirement savings arrangement where the amount put into an employee’s account is fixed by a formula or contribution schedule, but the final payout depends on how the invested money performs. Think of it as a personal savings pot that grows or shrinks with market returns; for investors, it matters because companies offering these plans have more predictable short-term costs but shift long-term retirement risk onto employees, affecting corporate liabilities, cash flow and workforce stability.

qualified default investment alternative financial

"single source of private-markets exposure for a DC plan's Qualified Default Investment Alternative"

A qualified default investment alternative (QDIA) is the default choice a retirement plan uses when an employee doesn’t pick an investment, acting like a pre-set route a GPS chooses when you don’t enter a destination. It matters to investors because the QDIA determines how contributions are invested—how much risk, growth potential, and fees apply—so it shapes how a retirement account can grow over time without the participant making active decisions.

target-date fund financial

"Designed for implementation alongside an existing target-date fund or managed-account solution"

A target-date fund is a pooled investment that automatically shifts its mix of stocks, bonds and cash over time to become more conservative as a specified year (the “target” date) approaches, much like a thermostat that gradually lowers the heat as night falls. It matters to investors because it offers a simple, hands-off way to match risk to a time horizon—useful for retirement planning—while still requiring attention to fees and the fund’s chosen glidepath.

managed-account solution financial

"alongside an existing target-date fund or managed-account solution, "ABC [ONE]" is"

A managed-account solution is a service where a professional investment manager runs an individual investor’s account on their behalf, choosing securities and adjusting holdings to match the investor’s goals and risk tolerance. Think of it like hiring a personal chef who prepares meals to your dietary needs instead of picking from a buffet; for investors it offers tailored strategy, clearer reporting and potential tax or cost advantages compared with pooled funds, which can affect returns and financial planning.

private credit financial

"adjust private asset allocations across private credit, private real assets and private equity"

Private credit is a form of borrowing where companies or organizations obtain loans directly from private lenders rather than traditional banks or financial markets. It often involves customized financing arrangements that are not traded publicly, making it a way for businesses to access funding outside of standard channels. For investors, private credit offers the potential for higher returns, but typically comes with increased risk and less liquidity compared to more conventional investments.

private equity financial

"private asset allocations across private credit, private real assets and private equity"

Private equity involves investing money directly into private companies or buying out public companies to make them private, with the goal of improving their performance and increasing their value over time. For investors, it offers an opportunity to earn returns by helping companies grow or restructure, often requiring a longer-term commitment and a higher level of involvement than typical stock investments.

glide path financial

"AB, a leader in glide path design and asset allocation with $105 billion* in AUM"

A glide path is a planned schedule that gradually shifts an investment portfolio’s mix from higher-risk assets (like stocks) toward lower-risk assets (like bonds or cash) as a target date or goal approaches. Think of it like an airplane’s controlled descent: it smooths the transition so you reduce the chance of big losses near an important milestone, helping investors balance growth early with preservation later.

private real assets financial

"adjust private asset allocations across private credit, private real assets and private equity"

Private real assets are tangible, physical investments such as privately owned real estate, infrastructure, timberland or farmland that are not bought and sold on public stock exchanges. They matter to investors because they can provide steady income, protection against inflation and diversification—think of them as owning a rental property or a toll road rather than a share of a company, which can help stabilize a portfolio over the long run.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. and NEW YORK, May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE: AB), Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM), and Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced a collaboration to deliver an innovative, turnkey private markets solution for Defined Contribution (DC) plans providing broader asset class diversification to retirement savers. Designed for implementation alongside an existing target-date fund or managed-account solution, "ABC [ONE]" is intended to be a single source of private-markets exposure for a DC plan's Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA). The solution will dynamically adjust private asset allocations across private credit, private real assets and private equity, depending on a participant's stage in their retirement-savings journey.

AB, a leader in glide path design and asset allocation with $105 billion* in AUM in custom target date solutions, will manage the allocation to the three private market asset components alongside the plan's existing QDIA, based on participants' ages and preferences.

Global alternative investment firm Brookfield will manage the private real assets component, global investment firm Carlyle will manage the private equity component, and AB will manage the private credit component.  

ABC [ONE] is built to address changing market dynamics, with inflation-adjusted returns expected to be lower in the decade ahead and public markets offering less diversification. By incorporating private market assets with professionally managed DC retirement solutions – such as target-date funds –ABC [ONE] seeks to offer the potential to enhance returns and improve diversification alongside public market exposures.

"We're pleased to bring together Brookfield, Carlyle and AB to provide a turnkey private markets solution to DC plans that gives retirement savers an allocation to private markets that dynamically adjusts by age," said Onur Erzan, President of AllianceBernstein. "For more than a decade, AB has been incorporating private assets in custom target-date funds, in both the US and the UK. Based on our investment research and hands-on experience, we believe that when a plan decides to include them, it's critical to optimize the deployment of these assets for DC participants."

"We are excited to bring the breadth of Brookfield's private strategies to the defined contribution space, alongside a market-leading target-date manager," said Connor Teskey, CEO of Brookfield Asset Management. "With more than 125 years of experience owning, operating and investing in the infrastructure, energy and real estate assets that underpin the global economy, we believe private real assets offer compelling diversification benefits and differentiated return drivers that can support more stable, resilient long-term outcomes for DC participants."

"We believe private equity can play a meaningful role in enhancing retirement outcomes over time," said John Redett, Co-President and Head of Global Private Equity at Carlyle. "Our global private equity platform draws on decades of deep experience investing across cycles, sectors, and regions. By combining expertise with a diversified investment approach, we aim to help investors access opportunities aligned with long-term retirement needs. We're pleased to collaborate to deliver a thoughtfully designed solution that brings together complementary strengths for DC plans."

ABC [ONE] will use AB's proprietary DC technology platform, which enables the firm to deliver highly customized default solutions to clients and effectively operationalize them with key business partners such as recordkeepers.

*AUM as of Q1 2026

About AllianceBernstein
AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm that offers diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets. As of April 30, 2026, AB had $881 billion in assets under management. AB is a subsidiary of Equitable Holdings, Inc., (EQH), a leading financial services holding company comprised of well-established and complementary businesses. Equitable Holdings, Inc., directly and through various subsidiaries, owns an approximate 68% economic interest in AB as of March 31, 2026. For more information about AB, visit www.alliancebernstein.com.

About Brookfield Asset Management 
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) is a leading global alternative asset manager, headquartered in New York, with over $1 trillion of assets under management across infrastructure, energy, private equity, real estate, and credit. We invest client capital for the long term with a focus on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. We offer a range of alternative investment products to investors around the world — including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors. We draw on Brookfield's heritage as an owner and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for our clients, across economic cycles. For more information, please visit brookfield.com.

About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $475 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2026, Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,500 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliancebernstein-brookfield-and-carlyle-unveil-turnkey-private-markets-solution-for-defined-contribution-plans-302777461.html

SOURCE AllianceBernstein

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What is ABC [ONE] launched by AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB), Brookfield and Carlyle for DC plans?

ABC [ONE] is a turnkey private-markets solution designed for defined contribution plans’ QDIA allocations. According to AllianceBernstein, it bundles private credit, private real assets and private equity exposure alongside existing target-date or managed-account structures to broaden diversification for retirement savers.

How does ABC [ONE] allocate across private markets for retirement savers in AB (NYSE: AB) solutions?

ABC [ONE] dynamically adjusts allocations to private credit, private real assets and private equity based on participant age. According to AllianceBernstein, it manages these components alongside a plan’s existing QDIA, seeking better diversification and potential return enhancement over a participant’s retirement-savings journey.

What roles do Brookfield (NYSE: BAM) and Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) play in the ABC [ONE] solution?

Brookfield manages the private real assets sleeve and Carlyle manages the private equity component within ABC [ONE]. According to AllianceBernstein, AB oversees the overall allocation and manages private credit, combining each firm’s expertise in a single private-markets offering for DC plans.

How is AllianceBernstein’s target-date and DC technology used in the ABC [ONE] private-markets offering?

AllianceBernstein applies its glide-path and asset-allocation experience and uses its proprietary DC technology platform in ABC [ONE]. According to AllianceBernstein, this platform supports highly customized default solutions and operationalization with recordkeepers, integrating private assets with existing target-date or managed-account structures.

Why might defined contribution plans consider ABC [ONE] from AllianceBernstein (AB) for QDIA exposure?

Plans might use ABC [ONE] to introduce professionally managed private-market exposure alongside public markets in their QDIAs. According to AllianceBernstein, the solution seeks improved diversification and potential long-term outcomes given expectations for lower inflation-adjusted returns and reduced diversification in public markets.