Fred Barstein, Author at 401k Plan Optimization, Compliance, Investment & Partners

Millennials and Gen Z Embrace AI for Retirement, Experts Urge Caution

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, AI, AI for Retirement, artificial intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, education, financial literacy, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Gamification Retirement Planning, Gen Z, Life expectancy, Millennials saving, personal financial advice, Retirement Happiness, virtual learning

A recent study from artificial intelligence (AI) platform Pearl reveals that nearly two-thirds of Gen Z and millennials would follow AI-generated retirement advice based on...

The Ongoing Consolidation of the 401(k) Industry

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, Consolidation, Convergence, Convergence & Advisor M&A, DC Plan Sponsors, Financial Advice, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Improving Outcomes, participation, RPA Aggregator Roundtable, RPA Consolidation

The 401(k) industry is experiencing consolidation, driven by plan sponsors who are becoming more involved in managing their plans. This consolidation follows a four-stage process:...

Great Gray Acquires RPAG: What This Means for the RPA Industry

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, acquisition, Adaptability, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Investment Managers, Partners, Retirement Plan Advisor, RPA Consolidation

Great Gray has acquired RPAG, a leading 401(k) practice management platform for retirement plan advisors. Despite the acquisition, RPAG will continue to operate under its...

Rethinking Retirement as Older Americans Stay in the Workforce

By Fred Barstein / Aging Workforce, Changing dynamics, Communication, DC plans, diversity, Financial Wellness, Life expectancy, multi-generational workforce, Retirement Happiness, Retirement Savings Concern

The traditional concept of retirement continues to evolve as a significant majority of older Americans remain in the workforce well into their golden years. A...

Why Diversity Still Matters in Financial Services

By Fred Barstein / Changing dynamics, collaboration, Conflict of Interest, diversity, Diversity equity inclusion, Financial Wellness, multi-generational workforce, specialized team

Even as diversity comes under attack—being blamed for incidents like the recent aircraft accident in DC—it remains a critical factor for success in the workplace...

Forfeiture Lawsuits and Their Impact on 401(k) Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, erisa, fee lawsuits, Fiduciary, Forfeiture Lawsuits, investment, lawsuits, Legislation, litigation, Partners, product quality, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Specialization, specialized team

A wave of ERISA lawsuits is challenging the common practice of using forfeited 401(k) assets—typically from unvested employer contributions—to offset employer matching contributions rather than...

Most U.S. Retirement Plans Have Red Flags – Is Yours at Risk?

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Collective Investment Trust, Communication, Compliance, Early retirement, Economy, fee lawsuits, fee transparency, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Security, fraud, Legislation, litigation, Managed Accounts, product quality, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Regs and Regulators, Retirement planning, Specialization, specialized team, Target Date Fund, Target Date Funds

If you oversee a company retirement plan, here’s a startling statistic that should grab your attention: 84% of U.S.-based retirement plans have at least one...

The Pros and Cons of Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, auto enroll, Benefits integration, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Client connection, Communication, Company Contributions and Vesting, DC Plan Sponsors, Employee Benefits, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Literacy, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, HR, HR, Ideal Plan, Improving Outcomes, IRA Roll overs and Roll ins, office environment, onboarding, participation, Plan design, Plan Participation, product quality, Retirement Advisory, Retirement Readiness, specialized team

The Pros and Cons of Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans Automatic enrollment in 401(k) and other retirement plans has gained popularity as a tool to...

Why Purist 401(k) RPAs Face Growth Challenges

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, adult learning, Authenticity, Client connection, collaboration, Communication, diversity, Financial Advisors, financial wellness, innovation, investment, Retirement Plan Advisor, Specialist vs. Generalist, specialized team

Independent 401(k) retirement plan advisors (RPAs) who focus only on retirement plans and avoid offering other services like financial planning or investment management are finding...

Making Retirement Planning Inclusive for All

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, adult learning, Authenticity, benefit education, Client connection, DC plans, diversity, Diversity equity inclusion, Employee engagement, Financial Wellness, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Retirement Advisor Specialist, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement planning, Retirement Planning Inclusivity, Retirement Readiness

Making Retirement Planning Inclusive for All Retirement planning shouldn’t be reserved for executives—it’s essential for every employee, especially those who have dedicated decades to their...

Fred Barstein