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

Forfeiture Lawsuits and Their Impact on 401(k) Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, erisa, fee lawsuits, Fiduciary, Forfeiture Lawsuits, investment, lawsuits, Legislation, litigation, Partners, product quality, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Specialization, specialized team

A wave of ERISA lawsuits is challenging the common practice of using forfeited 401(k) assets—typically from unvested employer contributions—to offset employer matching contributions rather than...

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...

The Pros and Cons of Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, auto enroll, Benefits integration, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Client connection, Communication, Company Contributions and Vesting, DC Plan Sponsors, Employee Benefits, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, Financial Literacy, Financial Wellness, Financial Wellness, HR, HR, Ideal Plan, Improving Outcomes, IRA Roll overs and Roll ins, office environment, onboarding, participation, Plan design, Plan Participation, product quality, Retirement Advisory, Retirement Readiness, specialized team

The Pros and Cons of Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans Automatic enrollment in 401(k) and other retirement plans has gained popularity as a tool to...

Financial Strain Impacts 3 in 4 U.S. Workers, New Study Reveals

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, benefits committee, Benefits integration, Compensation, debt relief, Employee Benefits, financial behaviors, financial insecurity, Financial Literacy, financial stress, financial stress management, Financial Wellness, Health & Wellness, investment, personal financial advice, Retirement Readiness

A new study reveals a concerning financial reality for American workers: nearly 75% are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to cover more than their basic...

Making Retirement Planning Inclusive for All

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, adult learning, Authenticity, benefit education, Client connection, DC plans, diversity, Diversity equity inclusion, Employee engagement, Financial Wellness, Professional Retirement Plan Fiduciary Services, Retirement Advisor Specialist, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement planning, Retirement Planning Inclusivity, Retirement Readiness

Making Retirement Planning Inclusive for All Retirement planning shouldn’t be reserved for executives—it’s essential for every employee, especially those who have dedicated decades to their...

Considering a New 401(k) Provider? Tips for a Successful Switch

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, Benchmarking & Fees (ERISA, retirement plan), Benchmarking Fees, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, education, Fiduciary, Financial Advisors, product quality, Research, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement Plan Advisor Due Diligence, Retirement plan provider, Secure Act Changes, Selecting & Monitoring, specialized team

Making the switch to a new 401(k) service provider has the potential to significantly improve retirement outcomes and plan performance while reducing plan costs. While...

Measuring Retirement Plan Success: Beyond Participation Rates

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Communication, Compensation, Employee Benefits, Employee happiness, fee compression, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, generational gap in retirement planning, HR, Ideal Plan, Plan Conversion, product quality, Retirement Readiness, Senior Management Engagement, specialized team

Measuring Retirement Plan Success: Beyond Participation Rates For many employers, offering a retirement plan is a fundamental part of their benefits package. It helps attract...

John Hancock and Vestwell Partnership Signals Digital Evolution for the Retirement Industry

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Committees, DC Plan Sponsors, Digital Design, Digital Tools, education, Fiduciary, Financial Wellness, Improving Outcomes, innovation, investment, product quality, Retirement Plan Advisor, Retirement plan management, Retirement Plan Testing, Retirement Readiness, Savings Rates, specialized team

In a move that signals a significant leap forward for the retirement industry, John Hancock Retirement has launched FutureStep™, an innovative open-architecture retirement plan solution...

Despite Their Popularity, Target Date Funds May Not Suit All Participants

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, Adaptability, adult learning, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Committees, competition, DC plans, Early retirement, Fiduciary, financial literacy, Financial Wellness, investment, Investment Managers, Investments-research, product quality, Retirement Plan Advisor, specialized team, Target Date Funds

While target date funds (TDFs) continue to be among the most popular investment choices for 401(k) participants, mounting evidence suggests these default investment options may...

What Makes a Great Retirement Plan Advisor?

By Fred Barstein / 401k News, 6th Annual RPA Broker/Dealer Roundtable, Adaptability, Authenticity, CEO Engagement, Changing dynamics, Changing Recordkeepers, Client connection, Communication, Communication, Confidence, Early retirement, Employee happiness, Fiduciary, Financial Advice, Financial Advisors, financial wellness, generational gap in retirement planning, HR, Plan design, product quality, Retirement Advisory, Retirement Plan Advisor, specialized team

What Makes a Great Retirement Plan Advisor? A great retirement plan advisor combines expertise, strong communication skills, and a true dedication to client success. They...