Retirement

A recent survey from Principal Financial Group confirms that employees who use a financial adviser do significantly better at meeting their retirement savings goals than those who do not.

While many people continue to experience the after-effects of the recession, a majority of older Americans say they are confident in their retirement preparedness, according to a survey.

Almost 80 percent of employers anticipate that there will be an increased demand for access to savings and investment advice about their 401(k) plans, according to a new survey.

As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Yet, according to a recent survey by AARP, 71% of 401(k) plan participants reported that they pay no fees for their plan. When told of the fees, six in ten (62%) were not aware of the amount they pay in fees to maintain their account. Just under one quarter (23%) of those surveyed said that they do pay fees.

In a new white paper, two researchers say DOL should allow defined contribution plans to make electronic delivery the default mechanism for conveying disclosure notices and information to plan participants. But wouldn't such a move further alienate low-income workers from plan participation?

A new report from MetLife suggests that financial advisers need to do a better job of educating their clients about the importance of managing their emotions as well as their spending and investing behavior during and close to retirement just as they did — presumably — when they were younger and saving up for their golden years.

Although it can’t compare to one of my favorite YouTube sensations, I have to commend AARP for producing a YouTube video that aims to teach employees about 401(k) fees and their impact on retirement plan balances.

WellPoint plans to buy privately held Medicare specialist CareMore to expand its presence in the U.S. government program for the elderly. The deal will advance WellPoint's plans to become a bigger competitor in Medicare.

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has extended the deadline for 401(k) plans to disclose fees and expenses to participants to 120 days after the Jan. 1, 2012 deadline. Originally, the deadline was 60 days after the effective date. As a result, plans now have until April 30, 2012 to provide the information.

Transamerica finds HR concerned that employees don’t have the tools they need to properly prepare for retirement