Fiduciary standard

The Validation Institute has put its stamp of approval on a dozen benefit advisers with a fee-based model that avoids conflicts of interest.

Former retirement brokers share how they apply fiduciary standards to the healthcare industry in the second part of this series.

Amid high-profile, class-action lawsuits over inflated prescription drug prices, advisers are urged to cement a fiduciary process for employer clients.

Nearly 84% of U.S.-based plans have an ERISA violation, spotlighting a need for independent benchmarking audits.

Contributing to these accounts makes sense for clients who anticipate higher tax rates in the future.

The difference in returns is huge for investors working with a fiduciary.

James Sotell, managing director of Comperio Retirement Consulting, shares his perspective on advising small plans and their fiduciaries.

James Sotell, managing director of Comperio Retirement Consulting, shares his perspective on advising small plans and their fiduciaries.

This does not mean that plan sponsors and committee members cannot insist on getting non-conflicted fiduciary advice; it just makes their job harder.

Plan sponsors and advisers: “It is important to realize that three or four years from now, what is done today will be examined, and it needs to be done with a good standard of care and mitigation of conflicts of interest.”

Plan sponsors and advisers: “It is important to realize that three or four years from now, what is done today will be examined, and it needs to be done with a good standard of care and mitigation of conflicts of interest.”

This does not mean that plan sponsors and committee members cannot insist on getting non-conflicted fiduciary advice; it just makes their job harder.

To the ire of some advisors and trade groups, states are getting in the retirement offerings space. Lawsuits are sure to follow.

They need documentation showing how they reviewed, selected and monitor their TDFs and if their investment strategy fits with participant demographics.

Brokers are in a legal quandary: Many of them will still be fiduciaries under the 1975 Rule, but the third-party compensation they received will no longer be permitted.

They need documentation showing how they reviewed, selected and monitor their TDFs and if their investment strategy fits with participant demographics.

Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to a possible ERISA audit. Here are some hard truths to common mistakes sponsors have in their heads.

Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to a possible ERISA audit. Here are some hard truths to common mistakes sponsors have in their heads.

Industry experts believe the final rule needs to spell out how this rule differs from past suitability standards.

It is widely anticipated that the March 15 ruling will soon take effect, restoring the DOL’s 1975 regulation defining fiduciary investment advice to plan and IRA investors.