Joining DCREC provides access to membership meetings, seminars, and other events, held both in-person and virtually, which are designed to promote dialogue among industry leaders and to positively impact aggregate asset growth.
DCREC delivers research backed insights and strategic guidance to support your important decisions.
At DCREC, we believe real estate is more than just an asset class—it’s a pathway to financial security, retirement readiness, and improved participant outcomes. That belief fuels everything we do: from advocacy and education to advancing best practices that turn vision into value.
As a member, you gain access to exclusive research, educational resources, and curated opportunities for peer-to-peer networking with industry leaders. You’ll also have the chance to contribute to the development of industry best practices and be part of a community shaping the future of real estate in defined contribution plans.
Our members include leading asset managers, consultants, recordkeepers, and service providers who are committed to improving retirement outcomes by expanding access to institutional-quality real estate strategies.
Yes. All members are encouraged to get involved in DCREC’s committees, which focus on areas such as best practices, strategic alliances, and marketing. Committee participation is a great way to contribute your expertise, collaborate with peers, and help guide the organization’s strategic direction.
DCREC offers both complimentary and paid membership levels. Complimentary, non-voting categories include Strategic/Alliance, Plan Sponsor, and Contributing Members. Paid memberships—such as Full Member, Industry/Advisor, and Consultant—offer additional benefits, including varying levels of voting rights and deeper engagement opportunities.
DCREC supports the inclusion of both direct commercial real estate and real estate securities—such as office, industrial, retail, and multifamily assets—within defined contribution plans.
Through its committees, DCREC engages with plan sponsors, regulators, and consultants to establish best practices, address barriers, and drive institutional-quality investment solutions in the DC space.
DCREC is the only organization exclusively focused on advancing real estate in defined contribution plans, bringing together diverse stakeholders to create lasting impact for plan participants.
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Flagship Initiatives
Shaped by our members, built for their benefit—these initiatives reflect the power of shared priorities.
DCREC conducts quarterly in-person meetings in member firms’ cities, featuring a business session for updates on strategy, committee activity, and votes. The general session includes outside speakers, panel discussions, and roundtables on key topics like overcoming barriers and product development best practices.
Launched in the fall of 2019, DCREC’s Thought Leadership Summit is designed to bring together investors, consultants, and plan sponsors for a robust discussion on key industry issues and developments in the defined contribution market and the application of real estate strategies.
The Defined Contribution Survey is the only comprehensive study of its kind, delving deeply into defined contribution capital raising, structuring, organizational metrics and best practices of real estate investment managers. This research is intended to support expansion strategies in the DC market. Produced in collaboration with NAREIM, NCREIF, and PREA.
This member-favorite event explores the evolving role of real estate in the defined contribution plan landscape. One representative from each member firm is required to either participate in a panel discussion on product development—sharing hurdles, strategies, and lessons learned—or present on a relevant industry topic such as policy updates, private real estate debt, or valuation methodologies for daily funds.
As part of our commitment to advancing industry knowledge, we develop white papers and resources to support informed decision-making.
DCREC fulfills its mission through member-driven committees that provide strategic guidance on a range of topics including product structure, marketing, legal, regulatory, and educational trends.
Members are encouraged to actively participate and contribute their expertise by joining one or more of the following committees.
Best Practices Committee
The Best Practices Committee plays a vital role in shaping industry standards that support the inclusion of real estate investments in defined contribution (DC) plans. Through collaboration with plan sponsors, consultants, industry organizations, and regulators, the committee identifies and promotes best practices focused on improving liquidity, transparency, and valuation.
Strategic Alliance Committee
The Strategic Alliance Committee works to strengthen relationships with organizations that share a common interest in advancing real estate within DC plans. By fostering collaboration on education, research, and policy, the committee helps drive meaningful progress for plan sponsors, fiduciary advisors, and plan participants.
Marketing
Committee
The Marketing Committee is responsible for promoting DCREC’s mission, research, and educational initiatives. Through targeted outreach and strategic communications, the committee raises awareness of the organization’s work and enhances engagement across key audiences in the DC and real estate industries.
