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NAIFA has launched a new initiative aimed at reinventing its role as an advocate for advisers. Its five-year strategic plan, dubbed NAIFA 20/20, aims to make the association a more effective resource for an increasingly diverse membership facing some challenging regulatory burdens.

The Department of Labor issued an interpretive bulletin Monday on open multiple-employer retirement plans, making it easier for states to run these types of plans.

Two Form 5500 draft documents released earlier this year suggest the IRS intends to begin collecting retirement plan compliance data on an annual basis from both ERISA-governed and certain non-ERISA plans.

Commentary: Most employers are in the dark about what they get in return for what they spend on health benefits. As a result, they tend to make decisions about benefits on the basis of costs alone, with little regard to value.

Pending and forthcoming legislation in Washington, D.C., promises to impact the benefit industry and employers in several ways, so it’s good to have friends on the Hill. Here are 10 broker-friendly legislators who have sponsored/cosponsored important legislation, belong to congressional caucuses that support the industry, and/or have personal experience with the industry, including serving as a benefit adviser.

Commentary: If you listen to your clients — and I mean really listen to what they’re saying and not saying — you’ll know exactly what they need and what they’re willing to spend money on, says columnist Wendy Keneipp.

Small business owners don’t always have the resources or know-how to establish 401(k) plans for their employees.

Commentary: Add these talking points to your next plan review to ensure the year gets off to a good start, says adviser Michael Clark.

The majority of workers have no idea if they’re on track to meet their retirement goals. What role do employers play in helping them find out?

Student loan debt, the need to save to buy a car or home or other priorities may cause many younger workers to forgo 401(k) contributions early in their careers. What can employers do to help them catch up?