competition Archives - 401k Plan Optimization, Compliance, Investment & Partners

Wealth Advisors Are Coming for the 401(k) Market

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, acquisition, Adaptability, Client connection, Communication, competition, Conflict of Interest, Convergence, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, Fiduciary, Financial Advice, Financial Advisors, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Hybrid Advisors, Retirement Plan Advisor, Wealth Advisor

Retirement plan advisors (RPAs) and recordkeepers have a real challenge on their hands: wealth advisors are coming for their turf. And honestly, it’s not hard...

When “Co-opetition” Becomes Co-option: Why Advisor Independence Still Matters

By Fred Barstein / Advisor Independence, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, Benchmarking Fees, Client connection, Co-opetition, Co-option, collaboration, Communication, competition, DC Plan Sponsors, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Independence planning, Investments, Recordkeeping, Retirement Committee

The relationship between retirement plan advisors and recordkeepers has always involved some natural tension. But as both sides expand into overlapping territory, plan sponsors need...

Who Should Help 401(k) Participants: Advisors or Record Keepers?

By Fred Barstein / 401k plan, AI, benefit education, benefits committee, Changing Recordkeepers, collaboration, Communication, competition, DC Plan Sponsors, education, Employee Benefits, Financial Advice, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Private Wealth & Retirement Planning, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Retirement Plan Advisor

As the retirement industry shifts focus from just saving to helping people use their 401(k) money wisely, a big question has come up:Who’s best suited...

Why Employee Engagement and Financial Wellness Are Key for Advisors

By Fred Barstein / adult learning, Client connection, Communication, competition, DC plans, Employee engagement, Employee feedback, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement Plan Consultants, Retirement Readiness

Why Employee Engagement and Financial Wellness Are Key for Advisors Advisors are now expected to go beyond just focusing on fees, funds, and fiduciary duties. ...

Despite Their Popularity, Target Date Funds May Not Suit All Participants

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, Adaptability, adult learning, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Committees, competition, DC plans, Early retirement, Fiduciary, financial literacy, Financial Wellness, investment, Investment Managers, Investments-research, product quality, Retirement Plan Advisor, specialized team, Target Date Funds

While target date funds (TDFs) continue to be among the most popular investment choices for 401(k) participants, mounting evidence suggests these default investment options may...

How RPAs Are Seizing Opportunities in the Evolving 401(k) Landscape

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Changing dynamics, Client connection, Communication, competition, Convergence, Convergence & Advisor M&A, DC Plan Sponsors, Financial Advisors

The retirement plan advisory (RPA) industry is gaining traction as defined contribution (DC) plans like 401(k)s present unique opportunities compared to traditional wealth management. While...

Hearts & Wallets: Employees Taking on the Majority of Retirement Planning Responsibility

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, benefit education, Benefits integration, Client connection, collaboration, Communication, competition, Consolidation, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Security, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, HR, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern

Employees perceive themselves as largely self-reliant when it comes to retirement planning. So finds recent research by financial benchmarking firm Hearts & Wallets, cited in...

Plan Sponsors Under Pressure: Enhancing Retirement Benefits to Attract Top Talent

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, benefit education, benefits committee, Benefits integration, Client connection, collaboration, Communication, competition, Confidence, Convergence, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, education, Employee Benefits, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, financial wellness programs, Improving Outcomes, inflation concerns, Regs and Regulators, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern

Plan Sponsors Under Pressure: Enhancing Retirement Benefits to Attract Top Talent As the retirement landscape evolves, plan sponsors are increasingly under pressure to enhance their...

Boost Hiring & Retention with Financial Planning in a Competitive Market

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, collaboration, Communication, Compensation, competition, Diversity equity inclusion, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Security, Financial Wellness, Recession, recruiting, Recruiting and Retaining Talent, Regs and Regulators, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern

Boost Hiring & Retention with Financial Planning in a Competitive Market The growing demand for financial planning and advice among plan sponsors and employees is...

Recordkeeper Shifts Mean Plan Sponsors & Advisors Must Evolve Too

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, Communication, competition, Consolidation, Convergence, Cyber Security, DC plans, Documents & testing, Due Diligence, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Improving Outcomes, Record Keepers, Recordkeeping, Regs and Regulators

Retirement plan recordkeepers have undergone tremendous change in recent years, driven by consolidation and a race to innovate and scale. According to Mike Webb CAPTRUST...