Retirement benefits

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.

SMILE Community Action Agency has made a concerted effort in the past year and a half to offer a more in-depth benefits package to employees so that it can become an employer of choice.

Robo retirement firms entering the small-plan 401(k) market won’t replace human advisers, industry leaders say.

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.

Commentary: Many plan sponsors believe that just by hiring an adviser they do not have a fiduciary obligation to understand the investments in their plans. This is fundamentally wrong.

Having developed robo platforms for retail clients and advisors, Betterment is expanding further into the asset management industry with a 401(k) offering for businesses. As can be expected from its CEO Jon Stein, the scope is grand as the digital-first firm sees a $4.6 trillion market ripe for disruption.

A number of states are looking to establish state-run DC plans for workers who don’t have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

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.

General Electric Co. is trying to sell the asset management arm that oversees the company’s pension plan as it continues to cut back on non-manufacturing operations.

Kraft Heinz Co., which counts Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. as its largest shareholder, is pushing some of its retirees to health exchanges as the company cuts expenses.

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

The DOL’s proposed fiduciary rule presents complex challenges to advisers, clients and will exacerbate the savings crisis in America, NAIFA warned Congress Thursday — two weeks before the comment period on the controversial rule closes.

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.

Commentary: Complacency can be a dangerous strategy when it comes to defined benefit plans, says The Principal’s Mike Clark.

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.

Target-date fund participants are more confident they’ll reach their retirement goals and have higher contribution rates than non-TDF user, survey finds.

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.