Retirement benefits

Benefits professionals from Newell Brands, Blink Fitness and more say they automatically enroll new employees in a 401(k) program during the onboarding process — and it’s paying off.

Education and enrollment services may have been differentiators in the past, but advisers need to look beyond these offerings to remain competitive.

The worst thing investors can do is panic and sell.

These companies are making new hires and promotions in the brokerage, technology and healthcare industries.

Benefits professionals from Newell Brands, Blink Fitness and more say they automatically enroll new employees in a 401(k) program during the onboarding process — and it’s paying off.

To qualify for this feature, clients should have reported a minimum amount for at least 11 years.

About 45 million borrowers owed more than $1.56 trillion in student loan debt at the end of 2018.

These companies are making new hires and promotions in the brokerage, technology and healthcare industries.

For many workers, moving assets from old 401(k)s into a traditional IRA may not be a smart move. One reason: IRAs often don’t offer stable value or guaranteed fund investment options as do most 401(k)s.

Taking a closer look at the inner workings of ARO programs can shine a light on features that require attention, particularly in light of the recent DOL guidance on auto-portability.

About 45 million borrowers owed more than $1.56 trillion in student loan debt at the end of 2018.

Taking a closer look at the inner workings of ARO programs can shine a light on features that require attention, particularly in light of the recent DOL guidance on auto-portability.

State plans will encourage more retirement saving by workers who could later roll over assets to private plans, a CalSavers official says.

Expect clients to take steps, such as maximizing automatic services, that will encourage positive behaviors to help individuals reach their financial goals.

CalSavers program argues that state plans will encourage more workers to save for retirement.

If the client makes a mistake, they are advised to take the RMD as soon as they discover it so they can ask the IRS for a waiver of the penalty.

Retirement plans may decline to offer delayed RMDs, plan loans, stretch and hardship distributions and a host of other legally sanctioned tax maneuvers.

Expect employers to take steps, such as maximizing automatic services, that will encourage positive behaviors to help individuals reach their financial goals.

For the best approach, clients should find a balance between cost containment and employee engagement.

Although the test is complicated and misunderstood, eliminating it could “do more harm than good,” according to an expert.