The Department of Labor’s final fiduciary rule is sure to be top of mind (and subject matter) at 15th annual 401(k) Summit hosted by The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) running Sunday through Tuesday in country music Mecca Nashville, Tennessee.
Indeed, American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff goes right at it in his opening session on Sunday, noting that the Labor Department’s been busy, “and now it’s our turn.”
“This is your chance to get NAPA’s perspective on the winners – and potential losers – from the brand-new fiduciary regulation, what changed and what why it matters to you,” the session description teases. “Will the 2016 election matter? Could legislation undermine the regulation? Could litigation really stop it?”
“We are thrilled to have a record 1,700 attendees, 28 sponsors, and just over 100 exhibitors,” Graff said told 401(k) Specialist in an exclusive interview. “We are also pleased to see the DOL has finally released the rule, and specifically address rollovers. They made distinctions between 401(k) specialists and investment managers. We’re jam-packed with keynotes and breakouts that cover the rule and what it means for attendees.”
In addition to Graff’s opening session, agenda highlights include industry personality Donald Trone, founder and chief executive officer of 3ethos, discussing the attributes of an “ethotic” leader, and how those attributes “can be used to define a decision-making framework the client can use every day – to run a department, a division, the company, a board of directors meeting, and even the 401k investment committee.”
Monday morning also brings “The Final Countdown: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Fiduciary Regulation That People Aren’t (Yet) Talking About,” featuring Bradford P. Campbell, counsel with fiduciary powerhouse Drinker Biddle & Reath, as well as and John Carl, president of Retirement Learning Center, among others.
Obamacare gets in on the action with “Affordable “Care” Acts – The Crossroads of Healthcare & Retirement Planning” with 401(k) Specialist columnist Kelly C. Amato, JD, AIF, retirement plan consultant with The Standard and Peter Fendler, AIF, president of Norton Financial Services.
Top industry prognosticator Bob Doll, senior portfolio manager and chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management, will present “Unpredict ‘Able’ – Top 10 Predictions for 2016, and what it could mean for retirement – and retirement plan advisors.” Finally Mutual of Omaha and LPL will sponsor a bit of fun, teaming to present the NAPA Nashville Block Party on Monday night, featuring a live performance from Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten) from the hit ABC television series “Nashville.”
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots.
