Financial planning

The first trading day of February was one for the ages as equity markets dipped at historical levels and uncertainty still faces the Federal Reserve’s tapering plans. With these tumultuous market events swirling, 401(k) plan sponsors are keeping an eye on asset levels.

A joke, a good start or a breakthrough?

In this commentary, one retirement plan adviser says government efforts and taxpayer funds would be better directed to educating employees on the importance of contributing to their 401(k) accounts and providing additional tax incentives for those few employers that have not already established a 401(k) plan.

President Barack Obama’s inclusion of retirement security in Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address was mostly welcomed by the benefits community, but left some disappointed by a perceived “attack” on the 401(k).

The president also touched briefly on the Affordable Care Act, challenging Republicans to let Americans know what their “specific plans [are] to cut costs, cover more people, and increase choice.”

Among the steps the president outlined in his State of the Union address are raising the minimum wage to $10.10 for future federal contract workers and creating a retirement savings program for people whose employers don’t offer a 401(k) plan.

President Barack Obama offered more Americans the chance to save for retirement through payroll deductions with a plan for new government-sponsored savings accounts.

With its launch of the new 401(k) feature “How Do I Compare,” Putnam Investments allows plan participants to compare their progress in saving for retirement with their peer group and top-tier savers. This tool takes advantage of employees’ natural inclination to keep up with the “Joneses” by applying this psychology to their nest egg.

Now that baby boomer and older generations are moving into and past retirement, it's important for financial advisers to understand how to recruit and sell to generations X and Y.

Employers are saving an average of $1,500 per worker in HSA-qualified health plan premiums, according to a 2013 survey by Kaiser and HRET. In 2012 alone, the Wells Fargo-administered HSA program saved U.S. businesses an additional $25 million in payroll taxes. This year, the total savings will top $40 million.

New research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute says that the health savings accounts saw significant increases in 2013 when compared to employer-funded health reimbursement arrangements due to funding structures.

Vanguard is partnering with HelloWallet to offer financial education to employees within 401(k) plans that the Valley Forge, Pa.-based investment company administers, a firm spokesperson confirmed today.

The Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management Board grew its defined benefit retirement portfolio’s assets by $7.9 billion in 2013 thanks to 15.2% investment return.

As you work with your investment adviser on the content of your annual 401(k) plan employee education sessions, now is the time to determine whether it makes sense to re-enroll all of your participants into your Qualified Default Investment Alternative funds.

Although market projections look strong, 49% of retirement plan participants are making more conservative investments and leaning toward a fixed income; however, they lack knowledge over its role in their portfolios, according to a new study by State Street Global Advisors.

Law firms, anesthesiologists and even the National Basketball Association are among the most generous employers when it comes to their 401(k) plans, according to investment research firm Brightscope.

Help your participants stay on the path to retirement readiness. From setting goals to maximizing contributions, here are the key messages to emphasize with 401(k) plan members.

Although many baby boomers report that they plan on working beyond retirement age, employers could face talent issues if they do not plan for these departing employees, according to research by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement and career transitioning firm in Chicago.

Six things plan sponsors should expect from their retirement advisers in 2014 annual review season.

The past year has seen, at long last, a tremendous rebound for 401(k) accounts and that good news hopefully can help drive better participant engagement. To secure retirement outcomes in defined contribution plans, human resources consulting firm Mercer outlines 10 steps plan sponsors should take in 2014.