Third-party fiduciary services growing
As plan sponsors become more aware of their fiduciary responsibilities, advisers and investment managers who offer to help them manage some of that responsibility have become more popular.
Paula Gladych
Freelance writer
IRI to focus on fiduciary rule, 401(k) enrollment
As the employers and others in the retirement plan industry prepare for President Barack Obamas State of the Union address, the Insured Retirement Institute releases its own agenda for 2016.
Funded status of DB plans showed little change in 2015
Defined benefit plan sponsors continued to de-risk their plans in 2015 with lump-sum payouts and group annuity purchases. It was the second most active recent year for annuity purchases, finds new research from consulting firm Willis Towers Watson.
401(k) plan costs trending downward
Mutual fund fees in 401(k) plans tended to fall between 2009 and 2013, finds new research from BrightScope and the Investment Company Institute. Consistent with other research, the study also found that fund expenses are typically lower in larger plans.
401(k) plan participants have good understanding of how TDFs work
Plan sponsors are doing a better job of educating 401(k) plan participants about target-date funds, says Vanguards John Croke, but theres still more to do moving forward.
DB plans advised to be proactive in 2016
Sitting back and hoping for the best is not an investment strategy, says Matt McDaniel, U.S. head of defined benefit risk at Mercer.
Holiday consumption, spending trump retirement plan communications
Trying to communicate retirement planning messages during the holiday season is like offering a kale smoothie to someone during Mardi Gras it might be good for them, but it wont be widely embraced, says one retirement plan expert.
Should plan sponsors consider working with an RIA?
The small-plan retirement market has been dominated by investment product providers like insurance companies, mutual fund companies and broker dealers. But are RIAs are making inroads?
What the Fed rate hike means for retirement plan sponsors, participants
Retirement plan experts dont expect immediate effects from the Federal Reserves announced interest rate hike but advise plan sponsors to review new 401(k) loans to ensure they reflect the new rate.
Can 401(k) re-enrollment fight plan participant inertia?
Re-enrollment can help existing 401(k) plan participants diversify their investment holdings without having to put too much thought into it.
More time off, better 401(k) matches top employee wish lists
Retirement is staring Gen X in the face and employees in this demographic are looking to their employers to boost 401(k) benefits.
Student debt repayment benefit gains more ground
Natixis Global Asset Management is offering a new benefit that it hopes will allow more employees to begin saving for retirement instead of spending all of their extra money paying off student loan debt.
Few employees aware of retirement transition benefits
Employers have either dropped the ball when it comes to offering employees retirement transition assistance like flexible work arrangements, retirement seminars or financial counseling, or employees are just not aware of the benefits their employers offer.
Plan sponsors, employees more aware of 401(k) fees
Fee disclosure regulations, the DOLs proposed fiduciary rule and lawsuits related to 401(k) fees have heightened both plan sponsors and plan participants awareness of the costs of 401(k) plans.
NFL aims to keep players financially fit
The NFL and the NFL Players Association work together to build a comprehensive wellness program that helps retired football players better transition into a life without football, both financially and emotionally.
More than half of women very concerned about retirement savings
Many women contribute to their workplace retirement plans, but are also are very concerned about not being able to retire when and how they want to, implying that they may not be saving enough to feel secure about reaching their retirement goals.
Employees slow to embrace Roth 401(k)s
More companies are offering both a traditional 401(k) plan and a Roth 401(k) but plan participants are not as quick to embrace the Roth 401(k) as their employers are.
Transamerica launches retirement plan product for small businesses
Small business owners dont always have the resources or know-how to establish 401(k) plans for their employees.
Helping employees get on the right retirement track
The majority of workers have no idea if theyre on track to meet their retirement goals. What role do employers play in helping them find out?
Fidelity launches partial administration service for company stock plans
The service is designed for plan sponsors that want to manage their stock plan records in-house but are looking for employee servicing, guidance and brokerage services.