Retirement readiness

Build an education program, perform an objective review of investments and benchmark features are a few of the activities advisers should encourage now.

Using lowest-cost share classes, performing an annual investment fund review and distributing required fee notices are among best practices.

There have been some modest attempts in the past few years to shore up and fill in gaps in this country's haphazard system of retirement savings.

Engaged savers, specifically those who are near the end of work, deserve an appropriate spectrum of risk options.

Collective Investment Trusts can have cost-saving advantages, are increasingly accessible and provide a long-term investment perspective.

Tax reform and current market conditions will likely contribute to a higher use of deferred annuities and guaranteed income benefits, experts predict.

The Washington bank chain increased its retirement contribution to 8% following the tax reform bill.

Workers have an option to stash their bonus in their 401(k), but doing it may not be a good idea.

Not knowing the differences between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA could be costly for retirement savers.

Financial Finesse and the Global Retirement Partners Advisor Alliance are two years into a program that now reaches more than 500 employers, including New York’s finest.

Adding five years to working years will enable workers to replace their pre-retirement income by up to 90% instead of 60% in some cases,

More employers will stretch matching contributions, include HSA information in education sessions and incorporate behavioral economics/finance elements in plan design.

Charles Schwab senior multi-asset class strategist Jake Gilliam sounds off on TDF choices and how plan sponsors can pick the right funds for employees.

Tax reform and current market conditions will likely contribute to a higher use of deferred annuities and guaranteed income benefits, experts predict.

Education offerings, student debt repayment programs and helping employees with short-term money issues will be big employer priorities this year.

Engaged savers, specifically those who are near the end of work, deserve an appropriate spectrum of risk options.

Plans sponsors can remove many of the barriers that prevent employees from taking full advantage of 401(k)s.

Financial Finesse and the Global Retirement Partners Advisor Alliance are two years into a program that now reaches more than 500 employers, including New York’s finest.

Employers should review documents before sending them out to employees, understand plan provisions and consult advisers when needed, among other guidelines.

The legislation aims to improve security with increased access to lifetime income and simplify plan procedures for plan sponsors.