Falling 401(k) Fees Are Only Half the Story
401(k) fees are continuing to fall—and that’s a good thing. Increased competition, better pricing structures, and the rise of low-cost investment options are all helping...
Economy
Why Health Savings Accounts Are Becoming Essential to Retirement Planning
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
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...
Fee Compression Continues, Small Plans Still Pay More
Investment fees are still falling across all plan sizes, but smaller plans continue to pay significantly more than their larger counterparts—and cost variation across providers...
Wealth Advisors Are Coming for the 401(k) Market
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...
Vestwell’s $385M Raise Signals a New Phase for Defined Contribution Plans
Vestwell’s $385 million funding round signals accelerating momentum to modernize the defined contribution market. The firm plans to acquire 27,000 Guideline plans, expand AI capabilities,...
Student Loan Wage Garnishment Is Back and Employers Are on the Front Line
After years on pause, student loan wage garnishment has officially returned. The Department of Education confirmed that garnishment notices went out the week of Jan....
Co-Manufactured Target-Date Funds: Lower Fees, But at What Cost?
Fee pressure is reshaping how 401(k) plans cover administrative costs, and plan sponsors—especially those overseeing smaller plans—are increasingly turning to a new breed of target-date...
Micro-Retirements Could Be Your Best Bet for Keeping Gen Z Talent
Young workers aren’t waiting decades to take a break anymore. A growing number of Gen Z and millennial employees are planning what’s being called a...
The CIT Takeover: What’s Driving the Shift in 401(k) Investing
Collective investment trusts (CITs) are rapidly gaining market share in 401(k) plans, increasingly replacing traditional mutual funds. Over the past 5–10 years—especially in advisor-sold retirement...
