Obama’s MyRA retirement savings plan goes nationwide
MyRA, the Obama administration's free, guaranteed-return starter retirement account, launched nationwide on Wednesday.
Retirement education
Benefits Think Are retirement fees really the enemy?
Commentary: If plan fees are a potential liability, the logic is sound that the least amount of fees paid reduces that liability. But, EBA retirement columnist John Ludwig asks, does it really?
John Ludwig
LHD Retirement
Benefits Think Womens unique retirement savings challenges: What every adviser should know
Commentary: There are a few major culprits behind the challenges women face, and advisers must be mindful of the best ways to address them.
Congress hears testimony on small-business retirement challenges
Several retirement industry experts met on Capitol Hill Wednesday in a continued push to encourage better access to retirement plans for small businesses, championing bipartisan reforms to multiple-employer plans.
Benefits Think 7 characteristics of a successful 401(k)
Reasonable cost, leadership support and an investment line-up that meets the needs of all participants are important attributes of a successful 401(k) plan.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Use of dollar-for-dollar 401(k) matching grows
Employers are taking a more active role in helping prepare their employees for retirement, boosting their 401(k) employer matches and default contribution savings rates for employees.
How to effectively talk about retirement across generations
Baby boomers, Generation X and millennials all have different attitudes about saving for the future and varying work styles, and its crucial that advisers know these differences before discussing retirement savings options.
Small retirement plan market overlooked
Money management firm Stadion aims to customize target-date funds for the small-plan market with new managed account product.
15Five automates 401(k) plan
When David Hassell, CEO of software company 15Five, shopped around for a 401(k) plan he was left frustrated and confused by vendors lack of fee transparency.
Kroger adds transgender benefits to health plan
The potential cost increases due to offering transgender health benefits is minimal because the population is small, says Human Rights Campaign.
Benefits Think Why TDFs are the best 401(k) plan option
Although target-date funds might not be the right investment vehicle for every 401(k) plan member, here are six reasons theyre better than other options.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Savings barriers contribute to financial stress
Financial stress can affect employee productivity and while many employees say they understand the importance of saving for retirement, some say they cant afford to save or lack understanding about where or how to save.
Fund managers unprepared for SEC money market rules
When performing due diligence, retirement plan fiduciaries must be aware of new SEC rules for the money market funds included in their 401(k) investment lineups.
Sticker shock of retiree health costs reinforces savings message
Employees who dont factor health care costs into their retirement planning could be in for a rude awakening.
Small 401(k) plans have less access to educational support
Small-business 401(k) plan participants dont have access to the same tools and resources that participants in large plans have, which could be putting them at a retirement disadvantage.
Benefits Think Weak equity markets present 401(k) executive benefit opportunity
The bad equity markets have one silver lining for those executives in your organization that might have large 401(k) account balances: In-plan conversions to Roth 401(k) accounts.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Financial education the foundation for improved employee productivity
A solid financial wellness program needs to focus on three big ideas: big data, behavioral science and technology, according to experts at this weeks Benefits Forum & Expo.
Michelin, NIH see value in recruiting older workers
As more of the baby boom generation retires, some U.S. companies will face a potentially significant loss of talent and institutional knowledge. Companies ahead of the curve are already looking at ways to avoid the brain drain by encouraging todays workers over 50 to stay longer.
Benefits Think 4 market volatility messages to share with 401(k) plan participants
Commentary: Extreme market volatility does not last forever. However, mistakes 401(k) plan participants make by selling out of equity funds at the wrong time can significantly damage their retirement prospects.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
From milking cows to MDRT president
Brian Heckert, the new Million Dollar Round Table president, shares the story of how he entered the industry, as well as what he hopes to accomplish and insights on other issues facing the retirement industry.