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

401(k) Plans Offer a Strategic Advantage in Economic Downturns

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 401k plan, 401k rollovers, auto enroll, auto escalate, Auto Portability, Communication, DC plans, diversity, diversity, Economy, Employee engagement, employer match, Financial Security, Financial Wellness, Independence planning, investment, Investment Managers, Recordkeeping

Recessions don’t announce themselves with a save-the-date card. When they arrive, plan sponsors and ERISA fiduciaries face mounting pressure to safeguard participants’ retirement savings. The...

Effective Retirement Plan Design Can Help Boost Participation and Savings Rates

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, auto enroll, Auto Portability, benefit education, DC plans, Economy, Emergency Savings, Employee engagement, Fiduciary, Ideal Plan, investment, participation, Plan Participation, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern, Savings Rates

Retirement Plan Design Participation Savings

Although retirement planning is a top priority for many Americans, significant barriers persist. Nearly one in four workers with access to employer-sponsored retirement plans don’t...

New Auto Savings Features Could Help Address the Job Mobility Challenge

By Fred Barstein / 401k rollovers, Adaptability, auto enroll, auto escalate, Auto Portability, auto re-enroll, Changing dynamics, Company Contributions and Vesting, Consolidation, DC plans, Economy, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, investment, participation, Plan Participation, Regs and Regulators

The average employee changes jobs nine times throughout their career, creating a challenge for traditional 401(k) savers. A recent panel discussion hosted by the Brookings...

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...

PE Industry Considers Move to Enter 401(k) Market

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, DC plans, DOL, DOL Guidance, Early retirement, Economy, education, fee compression, fee transparency, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, investment, Investments, Private equity, product quality, Regs and Regulators, Retirement Advisory, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement Plan Advisor Due Diligence, specialized team

With President Trump just days away from his second term in the White House, private equity firms are eyeing the massive 401(k) market with renewed...

Tackling Financial Stress Through Wellness Programs

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, benefit education, Economy, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employee happiness, Financial Literacy, financial stress, Financial Wellness, financial wellness programs, HR, Independence planning, inflation stress, Retirement Readiness

Tackling Financial Stress Through Wellness Programs Addressing financial stress has become a critical focus for employers as its impact on productivity and mental health becomes...

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...

Financial Wellness: Supporting Employees in Challenging Times

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, benefits committee, Communication, Confidence, DC plans, Economy, Emergency Savings, Employee happiness, Employee training, employer match, financial insecurity, financial literacy, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Health Savings Account, healthcare, Healthcare & other benefits, innovation, Job growth, recession

Financial stress has emerged as a critical issue in the workplace that demands employers’ immediate attention. Recent data from earned wage access company ZayZoon reveals...

Words Make All the Difference in Improving Participation and Outcomes

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, acquisition, adult learning, Authenticity, benefit education, Client connection, Communication, Communication, Creative approach, DC Plan Sponsors, Economy, education, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employee training, Fiduciary, Financial Advice, Financial Advisors, financial literacy, Financial Wellness, personal financial advice, Private Wealth & Retirement Planning, Retirement Happiness, small plans

Canadian philosopher and media theorist Marshall McLuhan is famous for coining the phrase, “The medium is the message.” His iconic observation suggested that the form...

Transforming 401(k) Plans Through AI

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, AI, artificial intelligence, auto enroll, Auto Portability, automation, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, benefit education, Client connection, Communication, Consolidation, DC Plan Sponsors, Digital Tools, Economy, ESG, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, financial literacy, Financial Wellness, innovation, Managed Accounts, Regs and Regulators, Robo Advisor Technology, Selecting & Monitoring

Artificial intelligence (AI) could transform the 401(k) industry in a way similar to the impact behavioral finance has had on retirement planning. While the industry...