…easily quantified than things like expertise and quality and the care of consulting that we deliver together. When cost is the primary driver, benchmarking is a pretty straightforward quantitative analysis. When you’re prospecting it’s an offensive strategy as you invite employers to look at potential…
Market volatility can sometimes cause us to make emotional financial decisions. That may not be the best strategy when saving for retirement. Join us as we discuss ways to help manage your investment strategy during times of market volatility, including: Evaluating where you are &…
…what are called non-qualifying assets. These are investments that include limited partnerships, artwork, collectibles, mortgages, real estate or the securities of “closely-held” companies. If a plan has more than 5% in these non-qualifying assets, the company needs either a bond amount equal to 100% of…
…cover basic monthly expenses; and 44 percent of retirees have gone back to work to ensure adequate retirement income.[2] Workplace retirement plans are the leading venue for accumulating assets for retirement. But as mentioned earlier, low levels of access and savings rates were the impetus…
…providers about changes to the plan on a “timely basis”. Incorrect application of the plan’s definition of compensation deferrals and allocations. Since plans may use different definitions of compensation for different purposes, some plan sponsors may get mixed-up when it comes to applying the proper…
…cybersecurity in retirement plans a top focus. During this webinar, we’ll discuss the Department of Labor’s “three points of light” from its guidance, and the practical and tactical actions financial advisors, plan sponsors and plan participants can take now to tighten security around retirement assets….
…employers to follow suit. However, when one considers the circumstances of IBM’s current retirement benefits program, it is easier to see why this seemingly drastic change made sense for IBM … and for its employees as well. That said, it does not mean this strategy…
…it as a hiring and retention strategy. Provision: Emergency savings accounts Plans can permit non-highly compensated employees to contribute up to $2,500 into an emergency savings account within the plan. Employees may access the emergency savings accounts periodically. The emergency savings account contributions are considered…
…fiduciary rules under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) if certain requirements are met. Those rules include a requirement that assets are invested “in an investment product designed to preserve principal and provide a reasonable rate of return.” These are called “Safe…
…the plan, the ultimate amount available to the participant is determined by the account’s investment growth. The participant typically directs the employer (or plan administrator) to invest the assets among the options made available in the plan, and the growth depends on how those assets…
…to any vesting requirements that the plan imposes. Taking a lump sum distribution allows the participant to invest the assets in any way desired—or to roll over the assets into another eligible retirement plan. Especially with the frequency of job changes nowadays, cash balance plan…
…more than the lesser of the base percentage or 5.7%. A couple of important keys to keep in mind: The allocation method or formula for each retirement plan is spelled out in its plan document and the plan would need to adopt an amendment if…