Pay increases remain stagnant, variable pay taking center stage
Anticipated payrolls are expected to remain flat in the coming year, though the use of variable pay schemes based on employee performance may rise as competition for talent increases.
Financial wellness
DC plan participation rates, account balances increase
Retirement plan sponsors have tried to make it easy for employees to participate in their plans and save enough for retirement and their efforts appear to be paying off.
Student loan refinancing company expands offerings
Student loan debt affects employees of all ages, not just new grads.
Benefits Think Practical ways to reach the retirement goal
Commentary: How do we help employees get to the point they can feel they can retire, asks columnist John Ludwig.
John Ludwig
LHD Retirement
Plan sponsors consider 401(k) reviews
As the Department of Labor hears from the retirement plan services industry this week during hearings into its proposed fiduciary rule, new research reveals many 401(k) plan sponsors are eyeing formal reviews of their plans.
African-American employees face greater retirement challenges
Despite a growing optimism about their financial situations, African-Americans still participate in their employer-sponsored retirement plans at lower rates than the general population, indicating a continued need for employers to focus on retirement plan education.
Employer involvement in 401(k) drives employee engagement
Employers are realizing that employees really respond when they not only promote their company retirement plan, but contribute to it.
Annuities meaningless if savings practically zero
Employees may express interest in annuities, yet few retirement plan sponsors are rushing to offer them within their 401(k) plans.
Benefits Think 4 ways to a leak-proof 401(k) plan
Significant amounts of participant balances are leaking out of 401(k) plans and not being replenished, with potentially disastrous results.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Boomers face hidden danger in 401(k) plans
Some baby boomers are carrying too much risk in their retirement portfolios because of the stock markets rapid rise over the past five years.
Retirement savings shortfalls becoming state problem
While states are starting to realize they need to step up and help private sector employers better prepare their employees for retirement, Americans continue to fall short in meeting their economic needs in retirement.
Why financial education should be a pillar of any wellness program
Employee financial stress can often be overlooked by the C-suite. Yet, some industry experts say it can have a major impact on the companys productivity and profitability. Financial education should be considered a pivotal component of any employers wellness program.
Employers out of touch with employee perception of benefits
Workplace benefit plans are key part of employees future financial success but the majority of employers dont think their employees value the benefits that are offered.
BLS data highlights retirement disparities between public, private sectors
While a majority of both public and private employees have access to retirement plans, new research points to major differences in the number of those who actually participate.
Financial advisers engender savings discipline
U.S. working adults who seek the help of an adviser are more likely to describe themselves as savers and have less debt than those without an adviser.
Empower employees through financial wellness programs
More and more employers are looking to ensure the retirement readiness and financial wellbeing of their employees, as financial stress has shown to make a significant impact on both the physical well-being of employees and their workplace productivity.
Regular monitoring keeps 401(k) fees in check
Fee disclosure rules may have helped bring 401(k) fees down, but plan sponsors can still do more to ensure they and their employees arent paying too much.
Benefits Think Safe harbor IRAs arent always safe
Commentary: Many safe harbor IRAs dont live up to their name and could leave sponsors with unexpected fiduciary liability.
Spencer Williams
Portability Services Network and Retirement Clearinghouse
Comment period closes on DOL fiduciary rule
Many believe the DOL has gone about its fiduciary rule-making in the wrong way and fear the rules, as proposed, will do more harm than good.
Plan sponsors concerned about PBGC premiums
Higher PBGC premiums and a volatile market are catalysts for risk management in DB plans.