401(k) Plan Management Archives - 401k Plan Optimization, Compliance, Investment & Partners

AI and Convergence Are Reshaping the TPA Landscape

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, Adaptability, AI, AI for Retirement, Changing dynamics, Communication, Convergence & Advisor M&A, DC Plan Sponsors, Digital Tools, Financial Wellness, TPA Landscape

As the pace of change in the 401(k) industry accelerates—driven by artificial intelligence and the growing convergence of wealth and retirement—pressure is mounting across the...

How One CHRO Is Redefining Benefits Communication for a Distributed Workforce

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, CEO Engagement, Client connection, collaboration, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, Employee engagement, Fiduciary Training, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, remote work, Remote Work

As remote and distributed work continues to expand, organizations face increasing challenges in communicating across a workforce that is no longer centralized. With employees spread...

Lower Fees, Higher Stakes: Are CITs Right for Your Plan?

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, 401k Advisor, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, CIT, Collective Investment Trust, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, DC plans, erisa, fees, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Pay Transparency, Target Date Funds

Collective investment trusts have been around for decades, but for many plan sponsors, they still seem mysterious—or at least more complicated than they need to...

Why Health Savings Accounts Are Becoming Essential to Retirement Planning

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefit education, Benefits integration, Client connection, collaboration, Compensation, Convergence, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, Health Savings Account, healthcare, Healthcare & other benefits

Healthcare is one of the largest—and most overlooked—expenses in retirement, making Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) an increasingly critical tool in long-term financial planning. With unique...

401(k) Fees Fall, But Gaps and Questions Remain

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, Benchmarking & Fees (ERISA, retirement plan), Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, Benchmarking Fees, Benchmarking Funds, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, erisa, fee compression, fee lawsuits, fees, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Investments

401(k) fees continue to trend downward across the industry, driven by increased competition, wider use of low-cost investment options, and institutional pricing. Investment-related costs have...

Health and Wealth Benefits Shouldn’t Be Communicated Separately

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefit education, benefits committee, Benefits integration, collaboration, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employer Contribution, Fiduciary Liability, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, investment

Health impacts finances. Finances impact health. It’s not a new insight, but a recent white paper from Milliman, a global actuarial and consulting firm, argues...

Why Employers Are Overlooking Student Loan Benefits (And Why It Matters)

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefits committee, Benefits integration, CEO Engagement, education, Employee Benefits, Financial Wellness, SAVI, Student Loan Benefits, Student Loan Debt

Not every employee experiences student debt in the same way. A recent graduate navigating repayment options faces a very different reality than a mid-career professional...

Balancing Fiduciary Responsibility & Employee Support in 401(k) Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefit education, Client connection, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, Employee engagement, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, Fiduciary Training, Financial Advisors, financial stress management, Financial Wellness

For many HR professionals, balancing employee support with fiduciary responsibility can feel like a constant tension. Chris, an HR Director for a growing company of...

Could a Centralized Clearinghouse Fix 401(k) System Challenges?

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, 401k Advisor, Auto Portability, auto re-enroll, Compensation, DC Plan Sponsors, DC plans, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Fiduciary, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Investments, participation, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement planning

Defined contribution plans have come a long way, but the system still struggles with one big reality: people change jobs frequently. Over the course of...

Why HR Can’t Stop at Enrollment When It Comes to Retirement Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, 401k Advisor, auto enroll, auto escalate, auto re-enroll, benefit education, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, DC plans, education, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employee feedback, Employee training, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, HR, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern

For many companies, the work of managing a retirement plan feels complete once employees are enrolled. But Teresa believes that’s only the starting point. As...