Fresh Off the Press

ERISA's Next 50 Years

ERISA’s Next 50 Years


How the 50-year-old landmark law will evolve to meet the retirement demands of tomorrow

1PROFILES IN PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES

Our latest Profiles in Participant Outcomes installment explores the unique strategies advisors are implementing to engage participants with financial and retirement planning.


2401(k) REGULATION: Trump vs. Harris: How Winner May Impact Taxes, Debt and Social Security

Budget watchdogs each release analysis of candidates’ professed tax and spending plans while Empower survey finds half of Americans believe election outcome will directly impact their personal finances.


3401(k) PRACTICE: Less Than Half of Pre-Retirees Actively Saving for Retirement

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.


4401(k) REGULATION: Gen Z is Focused on Saving—But the Struggle is Real

Financial frustrations are troubling these youngest members of the workforce, but research shows they are motivated to save—and want their employers’ help in doing so, writes The Standard’s Angela Trefethen.


Still Fresh

2024 Issue 2 - Defending the 401(k)

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:Addr essing 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.


401k Specialist Issue 1 - 2024

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.

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.

Capitalizing on Consolidation: 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.

The fight for low fees

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.