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

Recordkeeper Switches Can Go Wrong Fast. Is Your Plan Protected?

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefits committee, Communication, DC Plan Sponsors, DC plans, DOL Guidance, Employee engagement, ERISA Advisory Council, fee lawsuits, fees, Fiduciary, Fiduciary Liability, financial wellness, Improving Outcomes, lawsuits, Lifestyle Benefits, Qualified Advisor, Record Keepers, Recordkeeping, recordkeeping, Retirement Happiness, Retirement Readiness

Switching recordkeepers might seem like a straightforward administrative move, but when things go sideways, the consequences can be severe. A recent lawsuit against a Florida...

Is the 401(k) Industry Re-Bundling?

By Fred Barstein / Adaptability, Benefits integration, bundling, Changing dynamics, collaboration, Communication, Consolidation, Convergence, Employee Benefits, Financial Wellness, Healthcare & other benefits, Lifestyle Benefits, Target Date Funds

After decades of unbundling recordkeeping, advisory, and investment services, the 401(k) industry appears to be moving back toward re-bundling as consolidation and wealth-retirement convergence accelerate. ...

Switching Retirement Plan Providers? Don’t Skip These Steps

By Fred Barstein / Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, DC plans, Employee Benefits, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, HR, Lifestyle Benefits, Plan design, Plan Optimization, provider due diligence, Retirement Happiness, Retirement Plan Advisor Due Diligence, Retirement plan providers, Roth 401k, Roth Contributions, Third party administrators

Changing retirement plan providers sounds straightforward. Move from Provider A to Provider B, transfer the assets, and you’re done. But anyone who’s actually been through...

When Employees Leave: Getting Termination Benefits Right

By Fred Barstein / 401(k) Plan Management, benefit education, benefits committee, Changing dynamics, COBRA, Communication, Compliance, DC plans, employee termination, financial wellness, Health & Wellness, Healthcare & other benefits, Lifestyle Benefits

Employee departures set off a complicated chain reaction affecting wages, equity, retirement benefits, and health coverage. Whether you’re dealing with a routine layoff, a negotiated...

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,...

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...