The Retirement Times

Hey Joel, I volunteer on the Board of Directors, so I don’t have liability, right? ~ Can’t Touch This in Colorado Dear Can’t, Liability is a complicated topic. If the plan is an ERISA plan, then state law is immaterial. Compensation has zero impact on whether an individual is a fiduciary. It is role and … More Hey Joel! – I volunteer on the Board of Directors, so I don’t have liability, right?

A top concern for individuals nearing retirement is out-of-pocket healthcare costs. A recent survey revealed that 74 percent (of 1,316 U.S. adults aged 50 or older) admit that one of their top fears is out-of-control healthcare costs, and 64 percent are terrified of what healthcare costs may do to their retirement plans (up from 57 … More Health Modification Can Increase Retirement Dollars

Your retirement plan is a valuable resource for your employees and serves as a vehicle to attract and retain top talent. Ensuring plan success is crucial. Examining plan analytics can help evaluate its success. Plan analytics you should explore: –          Median age, tenure and savings rates of plan participants These analytics can be helpful to … More Use Plan Analytics to Evaluate Your Retirement Plan

It’s important to conduct regular check-ups on your retirement plan to make sure you are on track to reach your retirement goals. Below are a few questions to ask yourself, at least annually, to see if (and how) they affect your retirement planning. 1.    Review the Past Year Did you receive a raise or inheritance? … More Retirement Plan Check-Up

Welcome to Hey Joel! This forum answers plan sponsor questions from all over the country by our in-house former practicing ERISA attorney. Hey Joel, Is there regulatory guidance that would indicate whether forcing out terminated participants is favorable to keeping them in? What fiduciary liabilities are absolved by forcing them out (assuming this is consistent … More Hey Joel! – Is there regulatory guidance that would indicate whether forcing out terminated participants is favorable to keeping them in?

Health care expenses are one of the most critical issues that workers and employers face today. Historically, both health care and retirement savings have largely been kept separate, but that conversation is changing. As health care is increasingly considered through the lens of financial wellness, employers need to understand the savings options. Pretax and Roth … More This Won’t Hurt a Bit: It’s Time to Include Health Care in a Holistic Retirement Strategy

For almost a century, collective investment trusts (CITs) have played an important role in the markets. They were originally introduced in 1927. A 2016 study showed that they are the fastest growing investment vehicle within 401(k) plans, with 62 percent of asset managers believing their clients will shift from mutual funds to CITs.¹ For the … More Collective Investment Trusts — The Fastest Growing Investment Vehicle Within 401(k) Plans

U.S. equity markets advanced 3.9% (Russell 3000) on solid earnings, economic growth and a tightening labor market. International equities underperformed domestic equities with a 2.6% loss over the quarter (MSCI ACWI ex U.S.) on trade tensions, moderating growth and a stronger dollar. The U.S. fixed income market posted a 0.2% loss (Barclays Aggregate) as interest … More Q2 2018 Market Review

To elevate the importance of personal retirement planning, NAGDCA is working with the House and Senate to pass a congressional resolution supporting National Retirement Security Week (NRSW) in October 2018. Plan administrators can take advantage of NRSW to promote awareness of their plans and their many benefits. Promotions can come in a variety of ways, … More National Retirement Security Week

While Capitol Hill is customarily very active when addressing pension and retirement savings reform, they have been remarkably quiet since the passing of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act at the end of last year. Several changes were on the table, primarily “Rothification” which could have resulted in retirement savings plans being changed to only … More Washington Update