Pacific Life Appoints Christine Bass to Lead Defined Contribution Lifetime Income Team

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As a record number of Americans reach retirement age, addressing the growing demand for retirement income solutions remains a top strategic priority for Pacific Life. The Defined Contribution Lifetime Income (DCLI) business is a key pillar of that commitment, addressing the critical need for lifetime income through employer-sponsored savings plans, and a core component of the company’s institutional offerings, alongside pension risk transfer, stable value, capital markets and institutional fixed annuities.

After more than 30 years in the industry, Michael Oler, who has led Pacific Life’s DCLI business since 2022, will retire at the end of the year. In preparation for this transition, Pacific Life has named Christine Bass as the new head of DCLI. She will report to Karen Neeley, senior vice president, head of the Institutional Retirement Solutions Group (IRSG).

“At Pacific Life, we are proud to deliver retirement solutions to hardworking Americans across the defined benefit and defined contribution landscape. Our commitment to ensuring retirees have secure, dependable income for life is built on nearly 160 years of trust, stability and innovation,” said Neeley. “As we help shape the future of retirement income, we’re excited to welcome Christine Bass as the new head of our DCLI team. Christine brings the deep experience, vision and leadership our clients rely on to help plan participants achieve the secure retirements they deserve.”

Over the course of her career, Bass has held multiple senior leadership roles across both institutional and retail markets, with a sharp focus on retirement income strategy, product development and participant engagement. Her insight into plan sponsor needs and annuity integration brings added momentum to Pacific Life’s leadership in driving lifetime income adoption by expanding awareness of its value and helping participants enjoy greater confidence and security throughout retirement. Bass, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, joined Pacific Life in 2022 to lead the institutional fixed annuity business.

“I’m honored to lead the Defined Contribution Lifetime Income team at such a critical time for retirement security in America,” said Bass. “Pacific Life has long been a trusted name in this space, and I’m committed to building on that legacy — delivering solutions that help plan sponsors and participants feel confident about the future.”

Pacific Life’s DCLI business continues to gain momentum in the market, fueled by growing demand for income-focused solutions and continued innovation across solutions, distribution and participant strategy.

“Christine’s appointment is a powerful next step in accelerating our presence in the retirement income space,” said Chris Stout, head of National Markets for IRSG. “She brings the clarity, experience and focus needed to advance our strategy in a complex retirement income landscape. I look forward to partnering with Christine as we continue working closely across Pacific Life to grow the business, partner with advisors and consultants to deepen client relationships, and expand access to innovative lifetime income solutions.”

For more information about Pacific Life’s institutional solutions, visit: https://paclife.co/rii1qei3.

About Pacific Life

Pacific Life provides a variety of products and services designed to help individuals and businesses in the retail, institutional, workforce benefits, and reinsurance markets achieve financial security. Whether your goal is to protect loved ones or grow your assets for retirement, Pacific Life offers innovative life insurance and annuity solutions, as well as mutual funds, that provide value and financial security for current and future generations. Supporting our policyholders for nearly 160 years, Pacific Life is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Newport Beach, California. For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit www.PacificLife.com.