Financial planning

Commentary: Benefit professionals should take advantage of new technology and services to protect employees and help them resolve ID theft situations, says VEBA’s Tinker Kelly.

With the final comment period for the DOL’s proposed fiduciary rule closing later this month, experts say the pressure is on regulators to issue a final rule before President Obama leaves office.

Retirement plan sponsors need more clarity with QDIA regulations, says the Government Accountability Office.

Non-government money market funds in 401(k) plans are likely to be institutional prime money market funds that will be affected by reform rules announced by the SEC.

Employees are gaining confidence in their short-term finances but the majority is still not saving enough for retirement.

The retirement system continues to change, with close to half of all corporate DB plans now closed to new entrants.

Stock market swings reiterate need for ongoing retirement plan communication.

Reducing cash-outs and stranded 401(k) accounts increases average account balances, a key industry metric for measuring retirement plan success.

Ron Shaw, retirement program manager for Paychex, focuses on the retirement readiness of the company’s young workforce.

The adoption rate of managed accounts remains low, yet retirement plan participants who use them report higher projected retirement wealth and better portfolio diversification.

Americans express lower overall retirement confidence than in years past, but rank saving for retirement a top priority.

Generation Y employees want more customization and education about their benefits — and employers need to provide a broad range of offerings while taking a holistic view to contain rising health care costs.

Schwab’s Steve Anderson talks managed accounts, QDIAs and the increased attention to financial wellness.

Group pension buy-outs are usually seasonal, with the most activity happening in the fourth quarter, but industry analysts are seeing a trend toward more sales throughout the year.

While employees see the value in their 401(k) plan, many admit they don’t use it to its full advantage because of competing financial priorities.

Educational policy statements can be a valuable tool to help defined contribution plan sponsors and participants keep on track toward retirement outcome goals.

Many employers are now recognizing the need to offer a more holistic approach to wellness and helping employees manage stress cause by personal financial issues.

Volatility has returned to U.S. stock markets with a vengeance. How will 401(k) plan participants react?

The employee purchase program vendor enters the financial wellness space with a new service.

Warnings of billions in crippling costs and TV attack ads are the latest salvos from opponents of the Labor Department's fiduciary rule after hearings closed last week. The industry's newest claim is that independent firms could get hit with a bill tallying up to $3.9 billion in startup costs alone should the rule go into effect.