Fresh Off the Press
Defending the 401(k)
How the workplace retirement industry is punching back at a surge of criticism
1PROFILES IN PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
Our latest case studies feature Grant Ellis, the founder of Ellis Retirement Services, who worked with a private equity-backed company to help them offer an employer match for the first time. Then, we feature a collaboration between Nationwide Retirement Solutions and the City of Seattle, who teamed up to drive linguistic inclusivity in the latter’s retirement plans.
2BEST PRACTICES:Addressing the Racial Ethnicity Participation Gap: It’s More than Demographics
David Blanchett explores reasons behind the lower retirement plan participation rates of Black and Hispanic workers.
3PRODUCTS: How Younger Generations are Taking Advantage of HSAs
As in earlier solutions like auto features and target date funds, proactively providing innovations like retirement income show retirement plan decision makers are thinking ahead about what participants really need.
4REGULATION: The Future of Social Security with Biden or Trump
2024’s presidential candidates have expressed different takes on how to tackle the massive program’s looming budget shortfall.
Still Fresh
The 2024 Game Plan for In-Plan Annuities
Providers say working strategies now in place for guaranteed income solutions to start winning over meaningful numbers of 401(k) participants.
1PROFILES IN PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
Our first case studies of 2024 focus on how Vestwell helped a California-based electrical contractor build a retirement plan that would differentiate it from competitors while closing the retirement savings gap; and how Northshire Consulting’s Brian Williams has carved out a niche in the local small plan market by becoming the benefits “point person” for his clients.
2INVESTMENTS: Financial Vortex May Threaten U.S. Retirement Savings
Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Chris Ceder explores causes that strain participants’ ability to save and offers insights on how to get them back on track.
3PRODUCTS: How Younger Generations are Taking Advantage of HSAs
Brian Hutchin of UMB Healthcare Services explains how Millennials and Gen Z are becoming power users of triple-tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts.
4FIDUCIARY: 7 Key Takeaways from 2023 Excess Fee and Performance Litigation
Euclid Fiduciary’s Daniel Aronowitz recently released his annual report on the previous year’s ERISA class action litigation. Here are some highlights.
Bridging the Gap:
Staring down the retirement industry’s biggest challenge
The problem—and the opportunity—facing advisors staring down the retirement industry’s biggest challenge: Americans who lack access to 401(k) at work.
DC’s Fiduciary Pulse:
The crucial role independent ERISA attorneys play in protecting retirement plans
To help them protect defined contribution retirement plans, independent ERISA attorneys keep a finger on the pulse of policy developments in Washington, D.C.
The Power of Pennies:
George Fraser and Shlomo Benartzi
George Fraser and Shlomo Benartzi explain how reframing saving decisions is changing the lives of 401(k) participants
Purpose-Driven Profits:
Jonathan Thomas
How American Century Investments’ unique structure is paying dividends.
Changing the Future of 401(k): Tyrone Ross, Jr.
“It” advisor Tyrone Ross Jr. gets brutally honest about key industry issues and explains his next endeavors.
Lester’s Legacy: Helping People Save
After three decades with J.P. Morgan, target-date fund pioneer Anne Lester embarks on a new crusade to help people save.
Red-Hot 401(k) M&A Market:
Dick Darian
What due diligence and best practices should retirement plan advisory firms perform when considering and preparing for their search for a partner, and what advantages does an acquisition bring?
Wrecking Crew:
Retireholics
Industry personality J.D. Carlson and his band of merry misfits bring much-needed fun and informative discussion to the 401(k) space.
Case for Bitcoin:
Anthony Scarmucci
Anthony Scaramucci jumps aboard with a new Bitcoin-based fund, making a compelling case for its inclusion in defined contribution plans.
Preston’s Priorities:
Preston Rutledge
We asked former EBSA head Preston Rutledge for an insider’s view on what to expect in the weeks and months ahead, and what it means for your business. He didn’t disappoint.
The Joy of Jania:
Jania Stout
Combine an incredible work ethic with an equal passion for helping participants, and you get incredibly successful results.
Opening New Doors:
Liz Davidson
Financial Finesse founder Liz Davidson introduces us to “AIMEE,” which she calls “a major turning point in the capabilities.
Retirement Crisis?
Andrew Biggs
Coronavirus upheaval aside Andrew Biggs lets the math make the argument. So, is there really a retirement crisis?
Portman’s Push:
Rob Portman
401(k) plans are seeing plenty of positive changes thanks to the SECURE Act becoming law last December. Rob Portman explains.
Ramsey’s Rules
Dave Ramsey
Financial media mogul Dave Ramsey on the finer points of leadership
Nobel Know-How
Richard Thaler
You’d think a Nobel Prize win would temper Richard Thaler’s penchant for big ideas. You’d be wrong. His latest is a Social Security ‘buy-in’.
Fred Knows Fiduciary
Fred Reish
Show of hands—does any advisor feel they have a good grasp of what’s happening on the fiduciary front? Fred Reish explains.
More Human Than Human
Hugh O’Toole
Innovator Hugh O’Toole is disrupting the 401(k) industry (and benefits in general) with a deep dive into data. It results in tangible cost savings.
Knock it Off
Gail Buckner
Gail Buckner’s frank talk and honest math tell us why. Here’s what the author, TV personality and retirement planning expert.
3 Billion in 3 Years
Jania Stout
Here’s how perseverance, a positive attitude and a bunch of other stuff has Jania Stout and her team at the top.
All Auto Everything
Shlomo Benartzi
The famed behavioral economist compares auto-enrollment and escalation to autopilot.
401(k) Business
Tom Zgainer
Defending yourself from disruptive competitors like Tom Zgainer and America’s Best 401k isn’t easy.
An RFP with
Attitude
How to reach the next level in the 401(k) Proposal Process. An RFP with Attitude issue is a must read.
One Heck of a
a Participant Story
Also one solution to 401(k) Litigation risk, why target date funds keep looking better and 401(k) rollovers, hot or not.
401(k)s Great Again
Anthony Scaramucci
Top Trump Advisor Anthony Scaramucci on fiduciary failure and its effect on 401(k) advisors.
Chaotic Confusion
Troy Tisue
Do advisors really know the difference? ERISA Expert Tony Tisue explains to 401(k) Specialist Magazine.
$200 Billion
Bill Chetney
Who says financial wellness isn’t sexy? Definitely not Bill Chetney. He talks to 401(k) Specialist Magazine.
How to (Not) Get Sued
Jerome Schlichter
How to (not) get sued by 401(k) tort terror Jerome Schlichter. A must read for an advisor.
Rollovers
Ed Slott
The Opportunity of a Lifetime. IRA superstar Ed Slott pivots to 401(k)s and for (very) good reason.
Tony Robbins
& John Bogle
The fight for low fees. Industry odd couple John Bogle and Tony Robbins take their 401(k) message to the masses.