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

Financial Inclusion Is an Opportunity for Employers to Support Financial Security

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, auto re-enroll, benefit education, benefits committee, Client connection, diversity, Emergency Savings, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Inclusion, Retirement Savings Concern

Financial inclusion is about ensuring all individuals have access to essential financial tools and services that enable them to build financial stability and well-being. For...

How the End of the Talent War Reshapes the Role of DC Plans

By Fred Barstein / Authenticity, benefit education, Communication, Compensation, Confidence, Convergence, DC Plan Sponsors, DC plans, education, Employee engagement, Employee feedback, Employee happiness, employer match, evolving and adapting, Fiduciary, financial behaviors, Financial Stress, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, hiring, Inclusion, inflation, War for Talent

The end of the “war for talent” has permanently transformed how employers view and utilize defined contribution (DC) plans. Once seen primarily as cost-management tools,...

Financial Wellness and DEI Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, Authenticity, benefits committee, Communication, DC plans, DEI, diversity, Fiduciary, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, Inclusion, nondiscrimination testing, office environment, Regs and Regulators

Employers say the biggest challenges they face in 2024 are financial wellness and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Good news: They can be addressed together,...

3 Ways to Support an Aging Workforce

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, Aging Workforce, annuity, Behavioral Finance, benefit education, Communication, Compensation, DC plans, diversity, Economy, Employee happiness, Employer Contribution, environment, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, healthcare, Inclusion, Investments, mindfulness, Retirement Income

The aging population has transformed the workforce—approximately one in four employees is age 65 or older. While this demographic is becoming the fastest-growing group of...

Financial Wellness Benefits Have Become “Table Stakes”

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, benefit education, benefits committee, Communication, Company Contributions and Vesting, Compensation, Convergence, debt relief, Diversity equity inclusion, DOL, Economy, Employee Benefits, Employee engagement, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Future Self, Health & Wellness, hiring, Inclusion, inflation concerns, investment, Job growth, Legislation, Lifestyle Benefits, millennials, multi-generational workforce, Retirement Happiness, SECURE 2.0, Secure Act Changes, student loan debt

Financial Wellness Benefits Table Stakes

Economic and market indicators appear to be stronger than anticipated. Stocks are up, unemployment is down, wages are growing faster than the rate of inflation,...

SECURE 2.0 Saver’s Match Would Help Make Retirement Savings More Inclusive

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, Adaptability, benefits committee, Communication, diversity, Diversity equity inclusion, Employee feedback, Employee happiness, evolving and adapting, Fiduciary, Financial Stress, Financial Wellness, Inclusion, Millennial saving, multi-generational workforce, Retirement Readiness, Retirement Savings Concern, SECURE 2.0

SECURE 2.0 includes a government saver’s match provision that would help boost retirement savings for many Americans, including those in specific demographics. Set to take...

Employers Can Bridge Generational & Gender Gaps in Financial Well-Being

By Fred Barstein / Aging Workforce, benefit education, Communication, Confidence, Convergence, Employee Benefits, Employee feedback, Fertility Benefits, Fiduciary, financial insecurity, Financial Security, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, healthcare, Inclusion, Millennials Delaying Milestones, multi-generational workforce

In today’s diverse workforce, employers face the unique challenge of addressing the financial well-being of employees across different generations and genders. With the rise of...

Innovative Benefits for Working Parents to Prevent Retirement Regrets

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, adult learning, benefit education, benefits committee, Benefits integration, Communication, Compensation, Confidence, Convergence, debt relief, Emergency Savings, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, financial stress, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, healthcare, Inclusion, Retirement Plan Committee

The majority of current retirees have regrets about their retirement savings. Specifically, 86% wishes they had saved more for their post-working years, according to a...

Thriving Amidst Industry Shifts: The Imperative of Adaptation & Innovation

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, adult learning, Benchmarking Fees, Communication, Confidence, Convergence, DC plans, Economy, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, financial literacy, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Inclusion, Lifestyle Benefits

Adaptation, innovation, and prioritizing personalized, high-value services are crucial for businesses to thrive amidst industry shifts and foster long-term success. The ongoing debate about the...

Retirement Advisor Specialists Make Knowledgeable Contributions

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, benefit education, benefits committee, DC Plan Sponsors, Diversity equity inclusion, education, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Wellness, Inclusion, Plan design, Plan Optimization Research, Plan Participation, Retirement Advisor Specialist

Retirement Advisor Specialists Make Knowledgeable Contributions Make Knowledgeable Contributions Retirement Plan Advisors make knowledgeable contributions to plan sponsors seeking guidance for their DC plans....