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

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...

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...

Fee Compression Continues, Small Plans Still Pay More

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Managed Accounts, Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, Changing dynamics, DC plans, Economy, ERISA Co-Fiduciaries, fee compression, fee lawsuits, fees, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, investment policy statement, Investments, Mutual Fund Fees, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement Plan Fees, Retirement Plan Fiduciary

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...

The 10 Mistakes Plan Sponsors Are Still Making

By Fred Barstein / Benchmarking & Monitoring Fees & Partners, benefit education, DC Plan Sponsors, education, fee transparency, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, investment, participation, retirement income

Defined contribution plans have evolved significantly, but one persistent challenge remains: many plan sponsors are still not fully equipped to manage their responsibilities. Despite overseeing...

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...

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...

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...