Financial wellness

A solid financial wellness program needs to focus on three big ideas: big data, behavioral science and technology, according to experts at this week’s Benefits Forum & Expo.

John Engler, president of Business Roundtable, called on Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to consider changes to the fiduciary proposal.

Retirement planning is harder than sticking to a diet and exercise program, millennials say.

Can business leaders be coaxed into focusing on the serious economic threat posed by unbridled health care excesses?

Retirement confidence around the world is up, yet only a third of employees report receiving retirement information from their employer.

Tuition assistance programs can be a valuable benefit in a competitive job market.

Commentary: As more baby boomers work past the traditional retirement age of 65, understanding how Medicare interacts with workplace health benefits becomes crucial for economic well-being.

Martha G. King, managing director of Vanguard’s institutional group, addresses the evolution of retirement plan education and the challenges of guaranteed annuity products within 401(k) plans.

Actively managed funds still represent the largest chunk of most 401(k) investment lineups, but passively managed investments have risen in recent years because of fee disclosure regulations, target-date funds and the notion that managed accounts have been unable to beat the returns of index funds.

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.

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.

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.