Michael Gropper

Michael Gropper is an Assistant Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he conducts empirical research in both corporate and household finance. He is affiliated with the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and serves as a Research Associate with the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

Education:

• B.B.A., College of William & Mary (summa cum laude)
• Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School

Dr. Gropper's research focuses on household finance, insurance, and retirement planning, with particular emphasis on how households save and invest over long time horizons and the forces that affect how employers offer retirement benefits. His work examines retirement savings behaviors in public-sector defined contribution plans covering millions of America's public sector employees through the Public Retirement Research Lab, a collaboration between EBRI and the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators. His research demonstrates consistent focus on trust dynamics in financial decision-making, gender differences in retirement savings, and the impact of legal frameworks on retirement plan design.

Scientific Recognition:

• Received an honorable mention from the International Centre for Pension Management for work on the effect of trust in retirement portfolio choice
• Publications featured in major industry outlets including PlanSponsor, InvestmentNews, and BenefitsPro

Dr. Gropper teaches corporate finance in the undergraduate program at Leeds. Prior to his academic career, he worked in economic consulting in Washington, D.C. with the Berkeley Research Group. His research has direct practical applications for policymakers, retirement plan administrators, and financial advisors seeking to improve retirement outcomes for Americans.

Dr. Gropper is actively involved with the Public Retirement Research Lab, which provides critical insights into retirement savings behaviors across millions of public sector employees, helping to shape better retirement policy and plan design.