BlackRock headquarters in New York. (Photo: AP)
Microsoft, the largest company in the world by market cap, and BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, are planning to develop a technology platform that helps people save and invest for retirement.
According to a press release from BlackRock, the firm "intends to offer the platform in connection with next generation investment products that it will design and manage," and it will be "made available to U.S. workers through their employers' workplace savings plan."
Users would be able to have "more regular engagement with their retirement assets so they they have a clearer picture of how their contributions today will translate to long-term retirement income," which should lead to more savings and better investing habits, according to BlackRock.
"Retirement systems worldwide are under stress and providing financial security to retirees has become one of the most defining societal challenges of our time," said BlackRock Chairman and CEO Laurence D. Fink, in a statement. "Working with Microsoft will enable us to build a powerful solution for millions of hardworking Americans."
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said the two firms "will apply the power of the cloud and AI to introduce new solutions that address this important challenge and reimagine retirement planning."
