The retirement plan industry is at a turning point. Compliance demands are growing, client expectations are rising, and competition is consolidating. For many TPAs, it feels like the workload keeps multiplying while resources stay the same. Frustrating!

That’s why the Automation in Retirement Conference (AiR2026 Carlsbad, CA March 18-20, 2026) was created. This event is cohosted by Stax.ai, Payroll Integrations, and PenChecks Trust, three organizations working together to help TPAs build stronger, future-ready firms.

This isn’t just about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about giving TPAs the tools, insights, and connections to thrive no matter where they are on the automation journey. 

For TPAs Just Getting Started with Automation

If your firm has not adopted automation yet, AiR2026 is the perfect place to begin. You do not need to be a tech-first shop to benefit. Many of the sessions are designed for TPAs who want practical, non-technical steps they can take immediately. You will hear case studies from firms that started small, like automating payroll data feeds to reduce census errors or outsourcing distribution headaches to trusted partners. You will also see how incremental changes can ease compliance pressures, free staff capacity, and prepare your firm for SECURE 2.0 without overhauling everything at once.

For TPAs Already Using Some Automation

If you have experimented with portals, data scrubbing, or a handful of integrations, you have seen the promise of automation but also its fragmentation. AiR2026 will help you connect the dots. Sessions will show how modern tools can work together to create a seamless experience. You will see how payroll integrations can simplify SECURE 2.0 eligibility tracking, how automated rollover platforms streamline distributions, and how AI-enabled workflows reduce manual errors while keeping compliance intact.

For TPAs Already Leveraging Stax.ai

If you are already using Stax.ai, you know the value of automation to reduce manual tasks and sharpen your client experience. At AiR2026, you will learn what is next: new capabilities for census management, sponsor communication, compliance testing, and integrations with payroll and recordkeeping partners. You will also see how complementary solutions like Payroll Integrations and PenChecks Trust plug into Stax.ai to deliver an end-to-end ecosystem. Together, these tools cover the census to distribution workflow so you can scale your practice while keeping compliance airtight.

Why Stax.ai, Payroll Integrations, and PenChecks Trust Matter

This conference is cohosted by three leaders who each bring a critical piece of the retirement puzzle:

• Stax.ai delivers cutting-edge workflow automation, CRM, and client experience tools purpose-built for TPAs.

• Payroll Integrations connects retirement plans directly to payroll systems, eliminating errors and saving hours while keeping firms compliant with SECURE 2.0.

• PenChecks Trust provides trusted distribution services and platforms that simplify payments, rollovers, and compliance for TPAs nationwide.

Together, these organizations cover the entire lifecycle of retirement plan administration — from payroll data to compliance workflows to distributions — ensuring every TPA, no matter their starting point, finds value at this event.

The Bottom Line

The Automation in Retirement Conference isn’t just about AI. It’s about equipping TPAs with practical tools, insights, and relationships to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

Whether you’re already fully automated with Stax.ai, experimenting with new tools, or still relying on manual processes, this event will show you how to take the next step. And with Payroll Integrations and PenChecks Trust as cohosts, you’ll gain exposure to the most trusted names in payroll automation and retirement distributions.

Join us in Carlsbad this March to see what’s possible. You’ll leave with new strategies, powerful connections, and a clear path to future-proofing your firm.