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Retirement Links Newsletter - August 22, 2007 - Week 34 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable. --
Our first article today takes a look at target-date funds and the impact they are having on 401(k) plans.
The second submission discusses the very important topic of retirement readiness for plan participants.
Finally, we take a look at a key area of pension law and its potential impact on 401(k) plans.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - May 17, 2007 - Week 20 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article today looks at a report issued on Prudent Investment Process for retirement plan fiduciaries.
The second topic is one that does not want to go away, 401(k) fees and expenses. This article addresses the need for plan sponsors to understand what they are paying.
Our last article discusses research done by the Pension Rights Center on where we go with pension plans in the future.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 26, 2007 - Week 17 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article today discusses the role an investment advisor can play with plan participants.
The second article looks at research done by Fidelity on how married couples view retirement planning.
Our final submission discusses one way we can disclose fees and expenses of 401(k) plans to plan sponsors and participants.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 3, 2007 - Week 14 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article is an excellent summary on what is expected of plan fiduciary’s when it comes to examining plan expenses.
This next article discusses the reality of how participants save and spend, and what this means for target date funds.
Finally, a look at how the PPA actually empowers companies and the role that they can play in helping improve plan participants retirement savings experience.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - March 9, 2007 - Week 10 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
We have all heard enough of plan fees and expenses, but it is not going to go away quietly. Congress is now taking up this issue. Are you prepared as a plan fiduciary for this topic? Our first article addresses the Congressional hearings on the topic.
This second article is an interesting research piece done by Watson Wyatt on plan participation. Moving forward, this will be a major issue for plan fiduciary’s to address.
Our last article discusses what IBM is doing to help plan participants prepare for retirement. With the passing of the pension legislation, this could be the future of investment advice for participants.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - February 22, 2007 - Week 8 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article today is a survey that looks at working American’s feelings on retirement.
The recent pension legislation implemented some changes in distributions to non-spouse beneficiaries. Our next article addresses this topic.
Our last submission, by Fred Reish, discusses the ongoing issue of fee disclosure in DC plans.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - January 31, 2007 - Week 5 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article discusses default investment options under PPA and its impact on plan sponsors.
Our second article looks at Notice 2007-7 which includes guidance on rollovers to IRA’s for plan beneficiaries.
Our last article examines the process of freezing a DB plan and moving to a 401(k).
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Retirement Links Newsletter - January 10, 2007 - Week 2 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article looks at a study done on lifecycle funds and how they grade out.
Our next article looks at the very public battle over the city of San Diego’s pension troubles, and the ongoing legal issues.
Our Final submission looks at the change that was placed on plan sponsors in 2006.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - December 20, 2006 - Week 51 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article looks at a product that we will hear much more about over the next year, guaranteed income features in 401(k) plans.
Our second installment this week is on the continuing legal issues involving fees and 401(k)’s. The twist this time is that a vendor is now included in a lawsuit.
The next and final article looks at the ongoing legal battles of having company stock as an option in a 401(k) plan.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - November 30, 2006 - Week 48 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article takes a look at CareerBuilder.com’s annual out of the office survey. Are employees really sick, or just relaxing?
Our next article takes an interesting look at participant’s view of advice with regards to their 401(k) accounts.
Our final article addresses the current hot topic of understanding hidden fees in 401(k) plans.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - November 16, 2006 - Week 46 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article discusses the impact of higher health care costs on participants, and the impact it is having on retirement plans.
Our second article looks at a new study from the Investment Company Institute (ICI), and the interesting statistics that they found on 401(k) plans.
Our final article discusses the responsibilities that employers have under ERISA. In the new era of the Pension Protection Act, fiduciary responsibility is gaining greater attention.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - November 3, 2006 - Week 44 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article today discusses the latest mutual fund scandal.
The second article talks about how we can get more employees to utilize the 401(k) and save for their future.
Finally, we examine the returns of certain types of investors in 401(k) plans.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - October 18, 2006 - Week 42 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article in this edition discusses the DOL's recently released suggestions for default investment options.
The next article looks at target-date funds and why they may be a great investment choice for most retirement plan participants.
Finally, with the topic of excessive fees and expenses in 401(k) plans in the headlines recently, the last article discusses how the DOL is trying to help remedy the problem.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - September 21, 2006 - Week 38 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article is one that bears watching over the coming months. The topic of 401(k) fees and whether fiduciaries understand what revenue sharing payments are being made to all service providers is very important.
Our second article on lifecycle funds discusses how we can help participants better save for retirement.
The third article discusses the need for participants nearing retirement to do more planning.
The final article is an interesting conversation with Don Trone, one of our country’s leading experts on the topic of fiduciary governance.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - September 7, 2006 - Week 36 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
Our first article this week discusses 404(c), and whether most plan sponsors meet the conditions.
The next article continues our theme from the last newsletter on the new pension legislation, and auto-enrollment in the DC plans.
Our final article is a research report that examines what most employees do with their pension lump-sum distributions.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - August 24, 2006 - Week 34 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter is devoted to the recent Pension Protection Act of 2006, signed into law by President Bush on August 17th.
Our first contribution, from the National Center for Policy Analysis entitled “Automatic 401(k)’s: A win for Workers,” discusses the need for younger worker to save for retirement.
Next, from McKay Hochman, a discussion on EGTRAA and the permanent status it just received from the Pension Protection Act.
Our third contribution is from PlanSponsor.com, and reviews the investment advice provisions included in the PPA.
The last article is from the San Francisco Chronicle and discusses the DOL’s work in defining what “default” investments should look like. A very important topic for both plan sponsors and participants.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - May 3, 2006 - Week 18 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
The first contribution from the University of Michigan Retirement Research Center presents its White Paper on “The Inattentive Participant….” This research covers the behavior of over 1.2 million workers in over 1500 plans. “We find that most 401(k) plan participants are characterized by profound inertia. Almost all participants (80%) initiate no trades…in a two year period.” This is excellent research for those plan sponsors concerned about participation and employee education.
Next from BenefitNews.com summarizes the DOL’s thinking at a recent (April 25, 2006) ASPPA conference in Washington on default funds and the safe harbor provision that can be attained by Plan sponsors who wisely use a target retirement date or lifecycle fund as an alternative. This is an important consideration by many Plan sponsors.
Our third contribution is from a series of articles that have appeared in the LA Times over the past 3-4 weeks. This article, which originally appeared in the April 23rd edition, discusses the costs associated with 401(k) plans, those both disclosed and not. The effect of fees can have a dramatic effect on the overall performance of investments over many years. An important read if this is of concern to you.
The last article is from Poyner & Spruill, LLP discusses what Plan fiduciaries should handle the wake caused by the late trading and market-timing scandals and settlements of late. There is an important reference to the DOL Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2006-01 to address the fiduciary issues involved with the allocation of the settlement proceeds among retirement plan participants.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 21, 2006 - Week 16 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four articles that I thought you would find both interesting and valuable.
The first from Harry Koolen and Jim Reed, Consultants, discusses how the RFP process for searching for a new plan provider has changed. Traditional RFP questionnaires lack the ability to look for the “best fit” when engaging potential candidates. A good resource for those of you considering going to market.
Next from PlanSponsor.com recaps the Government’s initiatives with respect to examining qualified plans. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) achieved $1.7 billion in results from actions to enforce ERISA during fiscal 2005. Again that was $1.7 BILLION! Read on to see where the Feds are turning up the heat on plans. (Remember, there is a one-time registration for this, and it is well worth the time.)
Our third contribution is again from PlanSponsor.com, “The sad truth about most education programs for 401(k) plans is that they appear not to have reached—or at least not moved—large numbers of participants. Despite the tens of millions of dollars that have been spent on colorful and glossy education materials, countless seminars, and sophisticated e-mail campaigns, most still ignore the messages.”
The last article is from EBSA (US Employee Benefits Security Administration) where they are so kind as to lay out a fact sheet on the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program. This is an important piece on a program that has help thousands of plan around the country. You may want to print this for your files.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 5, 2006 - Week 14 |
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This week’s edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to three articles whose content we hope you find both interesting and valuable.
The first from PlanSponsor.com and attorney Fred Reish discusses, “Plan committees (or the responsible officers) are duty-bound by ERISA to select prudently investment options that are, individually and in the aggregate, suitable and prudent for the plan and for the participants. The failure of the committee to do a good job could result in lawsuits, and the failure of an employee to do a good job of investing can result in a diminished lifestyle during retirement.”
Next from the Employee Benefits Institute of America: “ERISA requires a plan administrator to furnish certain plan documents within 30 days after a written request by a participant or a beneficiary; a plan administrator that fails to comply may be liable in an amount up to $100 per day from the date of failure or refusal.”
Our third and last contribution of this edition is from SunGard Corbel and discusses the often confusing issue of “How Many Roth Clocks Does A Plan Have to Track”. For those plans who have incorporated the Roth 401(k) or are considering it, a must read.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - March 15, 2006 - Week 11 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four articles that we hope your find both interesting and valuable in your work.
The first from Bankrate.com’s article, “Boomer Bucks” by Barbara Whelehan, provides a discussion on both the House and Senate proposals on advice and guidance to 401(k) plan participants. The author reminds readers that no matter who provides advice to participants, it must be independent, objective and free from any conflict of interest.
Next from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, their review of the Fed’s 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances. Conclusions include the statements that “policymakers and the business community have come to recognize that 401(k) plans must be easier and more automatic if they are to serve as an effective vehicle for retirement saving.” A very important read.
Our third contribution from Employee Benefit News offers its second in a two-part series discussing the far-reaching aspects of freezing and terminating defined benefit plans.
Finally, an overview of the SEC proposed changes to executive compensation and related party disclosure provided by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. This is an important article for those readers subject to these proposed disclosures.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - February 28, 2006 - Week 9 |
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This week’s edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to articles that address three important subjects: fiduciary compliance, participant risk tolerance and employer stock in 401(k) plans.
The first from PlanSponsor.com, “Just out of Reish” outlines some basic steps for fiduciary compliance. Attorney Reish discusses processes that should be considered by fiduciaries in making decisions about their plan. (requires a one-time registration – it’s worth the trouble)
Next from the 401khelpcenter.com, a discussion on why it is important that participants should consider their risk tolerances prior to making investment decisions in their 401(k)’s. Filling out a risk tolerance questionnaire is the first step in the building of an investment portfolio.
The last article, again from PlanSponsor.com is entitled, “Solving the Problem of Employer Stock in 401(k)s”. Some interesting considerations for those plans that contain company stock.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - February 17, 2006 - Week 7 |
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Hello Everyone:
This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four interesting articles that we believe you’ll find most interesting.
The first from PlanSponsor.com (it requires a one-time registration – it’s worth the trouble) discuss how a review of plan governance strategies can reduce the number of potential fiduciary “defendents”.
Hewitt Associates provided our second contribution and it is the highlights from their study on how employees benefit and fail to benefit from 401(k) plans. The results of this study can be used by plan sponsors as a benchmark to shape plan structure and target communication.
Next from the 401khelpcenter.com, a discussion on how the defined contribution industry still stuggles with the concept of being a fiduciary and the many avenues that now exist for help in that area.
The last article is from Mercer HR Consulting offers a perspective on the SEC proposal to overhaul executive compensation. If adopted, the proposals would significantly revamp the existing requirements for what must be disclosed about executive and director pay. This article also contains a link to the full text of the proposed SEC provisions.
Please visit our library at http://www.westminster-consulting.com/consulting/articles.asp to search additional articles.
We again want to thank you all for the feedback we regularly receive. Keep it coming!
Have a great weekend.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - February 3, 2006 - Week 5 |
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Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen:
This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter contains links to four articles that we believe you will find valuable.
The first is from Blue Prairie Group and their discussion on the responsibility of fiduciaries and plan sponsors to monitor and control all costs associated with the operation of their plans. This article is relayed to us through 401khelpcenter.com
Our second contribution from US News & World Report wonders whether the first wave of retiring “baby-boomers” will celebrate having begun their 401(k) plans twenty-five years ago. 2006 is the twenty-fifth birthday of the 401(k). How many of us are really taking advantage of this tax-deferred vehicle?
Next, from The Salt Lake Tribune also comments on those “baby-boomers” turning 60 and their plans in retirement. A drag on the system or a boom as this next generation finds new avenues to consume.
The last article is from the American Benefits Council lays out a side-by-side comparison of Retirement Bills H.R. 2830 / S. 1738, Administration Proposals and Current Law.
Please visit our library at http://www.westminster-consulting.com/consulting/articles.asp to search additional articles.
We again want to thank you all for the feedback we regularly receive. Keep it coming!
Have a great week.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - January 17, 2006 - Week 3 |
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Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen:
This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter has four very interesting articles that we believe you will find valuable.
The first is from Douglas Ellis, an attorney with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP and the piece he wrote for The Investment Lawyer entitled, SEC and DOL Provide Guidance on Selecting and Monitoring Pension Consultants. Mr. Ellis lays out the role of the pension consultant under the Investment Advisors Act and ERISA and when and how “conflicts of interest” present problems. Anyone using outside consultants will find this article useful.
Our second contribution is from Business Insurance and a report of a survey conducted by Hewitt Associates on businesses likelihood to freeze their defined benefit plan in the future. This is a topic that we hear a great deal from many of you.
Next, from CFO.com, a discussion on the effect of a company match has on participation in 401(k) plans. The author, David Katz of CFO.com, discusses the variety of ways companies can use the “match” to send a positive message to all employees, not just participants about their view of employee benefits.
The last article is from “Employee Benefit News” and suggests using the beginning of a new year to review and benchmark your 401(k) plan. This best practice is routinely employed by plan sponsors in their duty to monitor and control cost in their plan. Good reading!
Please visit our updated consulting website, www.westminster-consulting.com and feel free to search our library of industry articles.
We again want to thank you all for the feedback we regularly receive. Keep it coming!
Have a great week.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - January 4, 2006 - Week 1 |
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Good afternoon everyone and Happy New Year!
I want to bring your attention to a change in our website. Please note that access to the Westminster Consulting site can be attained by going to our NEW location at www.westminster-consulting.com.
This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter has three quite different, yet equally interesting articles that we think you will find of interest.
The first is from Vanguard. This piece, How America Saves 2005, provides an analysis of the Vanguard defined contribution plans of 2004. These plans represent 1600+ plan sponsors and over 2.6 million participants. This data-mining, though unique to Vanguard, provides very telling information about a very broad and deep cross-section of DC plans.
Our second contribution is from BenefitsLinks.com and their ongoing Q&A piece, Who’s the Employer? This asks a question about coverage testing for controlled groups. See if you know the answer.
The last article is from Plan Sponsor and it discusses pending legislation that may make it easier and “safer” for employers to implement an “auto-enrollment” provision into their plans. The author breaks-down the main issues of this subject and discusses each quite thoroughly. Plan Sponsor requires registration, it’s free and worth the time it takes.
Have a great week and a healthy New Year to all.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - November 22, 2005 - Week 48 |
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The four articles chosen for this edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter all have to do with participants, their retirement savings habits and in a couple of cases, and the effect of pending congressional legislation.
The first two articles discuss the effort in Congress to push through the automatic enrollment provision for 401(k) plans. While this feature may not be foreign to some of you, it has certainly been discussed by the majority of plan sponsors and in fact embraced by some. The first article from the HR Policy Association does a great job of providing an overview of this legislation. The second, from the House Ways and Means via the American Benefits Council, provides the Chairman's summary of the pending Act.
Next is an article from CFO.com which discuss FASB's unanimous vote to look into an overhaul of the way pension plans and their funding status is dealt with and possible balance sheet implications.
Finally from Vanguard and the Pension Research Council, an extensive white paper that discusses a comprehensive study that has determined the need for alternative approaches beyond matching contributions, if retirement saving is to become more broader based. A very good study.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - November 2nd, 2005 - Week 45 |
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This week's Retirement Links Newsletter contains four articles of various topics.
The first contribution provided by Principal Financial, discusses on whether, and to what extent, financial professionals (brokers, investment professionals, consultants and others) take on a fiduciary role under ERISA. The next article from Prudential Retirement discusses the PBGC's under funded notification rules. A good read for those of you with Defined Benefit plans. Next, we have an article that was published in Investment News and written by Donald Trone, President of the Center for Fiduciary Studies on "Watching out for the bling bling" in your consultants. Finally, also from Investment News, a short but important article on 401(k) advice for plan participants and how the pending bills in Congress stack up.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - October 17, 2005 - Week 43 |
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We have found three informative and interesting articles that we are submitting for your reading. The first, from Employee Benefit News, takes up the subject of conducting a meaningful and diligent review of plan vendors. "Referencing static benchmarks or relying on information supplied by your current vendor cannot be considered meaningful due diligence." There's some important information contained in this submission.
Secondly, from Sherman & Howard, LLC, we get a review of the IRS's proposed regulations for Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans. Finally, from the IRS, a complete rundown of the pension limits for 2006. This is a great piece to print and refer to.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - October 4, 2005 - Week 41 |
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This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter contains two important articles and one timely resource tool. We begin with an article from Employee Benefit News about a problem known as "leakage" which is anticipated to effect may 401(k) plans. Leakage is when there is more money leaving the plan than is being added thereby potentially effecting assets under management and plan costs.
The second addition is a great resource, and that is Hewitt Associates' latest recap of federal legislation currently under consideration. You will want to print this out.
Finally, from PlanSponsor, an article on a recent court case involving "directed trustees" and the scope of their duty to second guess (or not) the Plan sponsor.
We hope you enjoy these.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - September 22, 2005 - Week 39 |
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This week's newsletter includes three articles we feel are very interesting. Our first article, from PlanSponsor.com, explains the importance of reviewing adviser's processes before you decide to hire them as a consultant. The second article, taken from Spencer Benefits Reports, discusses the underutilization of catch-up contributions by eligible plan participants in defined contribution plans. Finally, from Gardner Carton & Douglas, our third article outlines specific actions plan fiduciaries are prohibited from taking part in, and the penalties for such actions.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - September 8, 2005 - Week 37 |
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This week's newsletter contains 3 articles we feel you will find interesting. The first article, from Prudential Retirement Services, discusses a few of the potential changes to 401(k) and 403(b) plans including changes in regards to severance pay, hardship withdrawals, and deemed distributions. The second article, from Treasury and Risk Management, explains the benefits of using the same outsourcer for both DB and DC plans. Finally, from Market Watch, our third article takes notice that many firms are not rushing out to offer Roth 401(k) plans until they see how these plans work out at other companies who begin to offer them.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - August 23, 2005 - Week 35 |
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This edition of our Retirement Links Newsletter contains three articles which relate to the roles and responsibilities of plan sponsors. The first article, from Investment News, discusses how plan sponsors are having problems fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities. Our second article, taken from IT Business Edge.com, includes three interesting questions which are answered by Wayne H. Miller, CEO of a firm which consults on retirement plan governance. Finally, the third article from Investment News, explains the importance of ongoing supervision of all fiduciary-related decisions relating to a plan's funds, and not only monitoring a fund's performance.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - August 2, 2005 - Week 32 |
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This weeks edition contains three articles we feel you will find interesting. The first article comes from Investment Advisor, which discusses some of the implications of the new Roth 401(k) which is set to begin January 1, 2006. The second article, from the Vanguard Group, explains that many participants in defined contribution plans are not utilizing the catch-up contributions they are eligible for. Finally, from the Foundations of Fiduciary Studies, the third article touches on the fiduciary's responsibility to develop a due diligence process, and outlines the minimum due diligence process that should be in place.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - July 18, 2005 - Week 30 |
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This edition contains three articles of very different content. The first article comes from the Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Journal and discusses the need for sound fiduciary governance processes. Our second, from the Employee Benefits Research Institute, examines how 401k balances are dramatically effected by features such as auto-enrollment, catch-up provision and deferral rates. Finally from Defined Contribution News, how plan vendors are creating new features to 401(k) platforms that offer participants similar advantages to that of pension plans.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - June 6, 2005 - Week 23 |
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This edition of our newsletter contains three rather interesting articles specifice to plan sponsors and their responsibilities to the plan. The first contribution comes from the DOL and offers suggestions to plan sponsors on selecting and monitoring their service providers. Next we have an article from the Journal of Pension Benefits on plan sponsor liability and self-directed brokerage accounts. Finally, from Workforce Management, we have some advice regarding sponsors reviewing provider and recordkeeper contracts.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - May 23, 2005 - Week 21 |
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This week's edition contains three articles that should get the attention of all plan sponsors. The first discusses the increased awareness of fiduciary responsibility that plan sponsors are experiencing as a result of increased actions against fiduciaries. The second contribution reviews the SEC approval of short-term trading fees by mutual fund companies on participants who engage in short-term trading and market timing. Finally, some comments on the SEC's recent guidance to pension funds who use pension consultants and the potential for conflicts of interest.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - May 9, 2005 - Week 19 |
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This week's edition contains three articles of particular interest to plan sponsors. The first is from "The Journal News" of Westchester County, NY discussing the growing trend among plan sponsors of designing their plan with the feature of automatic enrollment for newly eligible employees. Our second contribution is from Watson Wyatt on "How do Retirement Plans Affect Employee Behavior?". Finally, from PLANSPONSOR.com, a discussion regarding fiduciary responsibility and The Prudent Man Rule.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 25, 2005 - Week 17 |
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This week's contribution contains three interesting articles (links): the first discusses the challenge for employers when dissecting their plan for fees and the need for better disclosure; our second article comments on the The Profit Sharing / 401(k) Council's support for Sen. Bingaman's (D-NM) proposal for automatice enrollment in 401(k) plans; finally comment from Benchmark Advisory Service on three topics, "Disclosure, Brokers and Fiduciary Standards and the state of the PBGC".
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Retirement Links Newsletter - April 11, 2005 - Week 15 |
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We begin this week's newsletter with the results of the Deloitte Consulting and Pension & Investments 2004 Annual 401(k) Benchmarking Survey. The second article is contributed by the Groom Law Group of Washington, DC offers an overview of the recent March 28, 2005 deadline that deals with small balances left in qualified plans by departing employees. This white paper offers a comprehensive explanation of this EGTRRA rule. Finally from a recent issue of Investment News, an article entitled "Are 401(k)s Headed for Fiduciary Meltdown?" Regulatory attention has given many plan sponsors reason to review their procedures and responsibilities.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - March 28, 2005 - Week 13 |
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This edition of the Retirement Links Newsletter has three exceptional articles worthy of attention. The first from ERISA attorney Fred Reish on the requirement of plan committees and fiduciaries have a handle on the fees that are being charged to and paid by their plan. The second article from WorkIndex.com discusses the need for plan participants to "be in a hurry" when it come to enrolling, investing and ever-increasing their deferrals in their 401(k). Finally, the results of a case study by AON on fiduciary best practices, a must read.
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Retirement Links Newsletter - March 14, 2005 - Week 11 |
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We selected these three articles because of the important and actionable issues that each presents. The first from Fred Reish, ESQ on the issue of high standards that Fiduciaries are held to and the possibility that they may need to seek expert advice in their plan decision making. The second article discusses issues that face fiduciaries in regards to complying with ERISA Sect. 404(c). Finally, this piece from Transamerica discusses the automatic rollover provisions that go into effect at the end of the month.
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