Roth 401(k) options more popular with plan sponsors
More than half of large employers offer the investment vehicle, yet only a small fraction of employees are using them, finds research from Willis Towers Watson.
Retirement readiness
Why plan sponsors should look at TDFs with short-term TIPS
Shorter term Treasury Inflation Protected Securities — those with a bond maturity of zero to five years — do a better job of controlling inflation in a target-date fund than mid-term or long-term TIPS, according to SEI.
Employers advised to re-evaluate retirement plan costs
Even with disclosure rules in place, it is sometimes hard for plan sponsors to discern the fairness of the fee structures in their retirement plans.
Benefits Think Why employers should broaden their retirement plan focus
To improve employees’ long-term finances, encourage plan sponsors to look past typical 401(k) metrics and concentrate on a comprehensive approach to financial services.
Shannon Duncan
Blooom
Benefits Think Employers cautioned on student loan repayment programs
Challenges include vetting vendors with programs that can help while navigating regulatory, tax questions, says Willis Towers Watson’s Randall Abbott.
Randall K. Abbott
Willis Towers Watson
Benefits Think Why employers should broaden their retirement plan focus
To help improve employees’ financial prospects post-work, plan sponsors should look beyond the typical metrics of 401(k) contribution and participation rates and concentrate instead on a comprehensive financial wellness approach.
Shannon Duncan
Blooom
Tech innovator spotlight: Roger Lee
As co-founder of Captain401, he launched an online platform that helps small businesses quickly and easily set up 401(k) plans.
Benefits Think Employers cautioned on student loan repayment programs
Challenges include finding and vetting vendors with programs that can help and navigating regulatory and tax questions, says Willis Towers Watson’s Randall Abbott.
Randall K. Abbott
Willis Towers Watson
Fiduciary rule to require ‘all hands on deck’
The DOL’s April 2017 deadline means employers should start familiarizing themselves now with their responsibilities under the new regulations.
Tech innovator spotlight: Roger Lee
As co-founder of Captain401, Lee launched an online platform that helps small businesses quickly and easily set up 401(k) plans.
Fiduciary rule compliance to require ‘all hands on deck’
The DOL’s April 2017 deadline means employers should start familiarizing themselves now with their responsibilities under the new regulations.
Benefits Think 4 scary retirement statistics and ways employers can help
Nearly half of U.S. workers have no retirement savings, so plan sponsors should embrace auto-enrollment and online education and advice, says adviser Robert Lawton.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Benefits Think What the DOL’s fiduciary rule doesn’t say
A closer reading of it sends a clear signal to plan sponsors that they should aim to keep participants invested in a qualified defined contribution plan throughout their working lives.
Spencer Williams
Portability Services Network and Retirement Clearinghouse
Benefits Think 4 steps to building a better DC plan during a merger or acquisition
During an M&A, figuring out what to do with the retirement plans can sometimes be an afterthought, but it doesn’t need to be, says State Street’s Nate Miles.
Sydney Marzeotti
State Street Global Advisors
Benefits Think What the DOL’s fiduciary rule doesn’t say
A closer reading of it sends a clear, if unstated, signal to plan sponsors that they should aim to keep participants invested in a qualified defined contribution plan throughout their working lives, according to Retirement Clearinghouse’s Spencer Williams.
Spencer Williams
Portability Services Network and Retirement Clearinghouse
Benefits Think When advising retirees, planners need to recognize the risks of low inflation
Consumer prices may be relatively stable overall, but healthcare costs for people 65 and over are rising rapidly.
LIMRA research staff
LIMRA
Benefits Think 4 steps to building a better DC plan during a merger or acquisition
During an M&A, figuring out what to do with the retirement plans can sometimes be an afterthought, but it doesn’t need to be, says State Street’s Nate Miles.
Sydney Marzeotti
State Street Global Advisors
Benefits Think To secure employees’ retirements, advisers should rethink the concept of ‘ROI’
For workers looking at life post-career, steady income is more important than return on investment.
Randy L. Scritchfield
Montgomery Financial Group
Benefits Think Why 401(k) plan sponsors need to keep an eye on fees
An RFP, along with fee negotiation and benchmarking exercises can often result in significant annual savings for plan participants, according to USI Consulting Group’s Mark Sarlo.
Mark A. Sarlo
USI Consulting Group
How to modernize traditional defined benefit plans
Employers looking to minimize DB program risks should consider market-return cash balance plans, according to October Three Consulting’s Larry Sher.
