Fresh Off the Press: Issue 3 – 2025
10 Years: Thousands of stories. One Mission.
401(k) Specialist celebrates a decade of driving progress, purpose, and professionalism in the retirement plan industry.
1PROFILES IN PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
Our latest profiles include “Untangling Complexity in a Large Plan” about how Corebridge Financial worked with The Salvation Army Southern Territory to simplify complex plan structures and enhance communication; and “Discovering Alignment with The Breit Group,” where a husband-and-wife RIA team in North Carolina are redefining what it means to align technology with human connection.
2Higher Returns, More Active Management Add Complexity to Private Investments in DC Plans
As regulatory barriers to private investments in 401(k) plans shrink, advisors assess risks, fee structures, and possible fiduciary liabilities before embracing alts in retirement plans.
3A Playbook on the IRS’s Final Regulations on the Roth Catch-Up Contribution Requirement Under SECURE 2.0
The Wagner Law Group’s Jon Schultze and Barry Salkin explain the coming changes.
4Advisors Gaining Popularity Along with the PEPs They’re Selling
New research highlights positive effects of skyrocketing pooled employer plan sales.
Issue 2 – 2025
Private Equity’s Fast Lane to 401(k)s
Why the drive has accelerated in 2025—and who wants to hit the brakes
1PROFILES IN PARTICIPANT OUTCOMES
Our latest installments feature two advisors working to enhance the retirement savings journeys for their clients. Drew Tirney of 401kInABox teams up with a family-owned firm to craft a retirement savings plan through challenging times and different ownerships while our second profile highlights the work of Lorie Jones, founder and CEO of Fearless Financial Advisors.
2401(k) U.S. Dominates World Wealth Growth, Millionaire Populations
Recent wealth reports from Capgemini and Henley & Partners reinforce U.S. global wealth growth dominance, reveals fastest-growing domestic ‘Millionaire Hubs.’
3Making Retirement Work in Defined Contribution Plans Today
PGIM’s David Blanchett says not only do older 401(k) participants appear to want lifetime income, but want it even more if it’s available in their workplace retirement plan.
4Plan Sponsors Misaligned with Participants, Advisors on Retirement Readiness
Employers continue to overestimate plan participants’ sense of their retirement readiness, according to 2025 retirement landscape survey from Voya Investment Management.
Prime Time
Jania Stout and Scott Colangelo tell the story behind Stout’s big move to Prime Capital Retirement
ERISA’s Next 50 Years
How the 50-year-old landmark law will evolve to meet the retirement demands of tomorrow
Defending the 401(k)
How the workplace retirement industry is punching back at a surge of criticism
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.
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.