The duty to provide participants with sufficient information to make consistently informed retirement investment decisions is a basic fiduciary responsibility under ERISA Section 404(a). However, there could be some plan committees who feel their participants are not consistently making prudent decisions. According to a 2016 JP Morgan survey¹ nearly 75 percent of participants say they...Read More

We know that most plan participants are not financial experts, and that can make planning for retirement difficult. Fortunately, there are some basic steps that you can follow to work toward a successful retirement. Learn the basics of saving and investing. Understand the basic types of investment products, like stocks, bonds, and money market accounts....Read More

Several events can trigger a DOL or IRS audit, such as employee complaints or self-reporting under the annual submission of the Form 5500. Oftentimes an audit is a random event, which is why you should always be prepared. Listed below are several key items typically requested in an initial letter sent by the IRS or...Read More

According to ERISA, plans intending to comply with 404(c) must ensurethat participants: Have the opportunity to choose from a broad range of investment alternatives (which are adequately diversified); may direct the investment of their accounts with a frequency which is appropriate; and can obtain sufficient information to make informed investment decisions. The plan sponsor must...Read More

The simple answer is yes! By doing so, you’ll attract, retain and engage top college-educated talent at your company. Twenty-six percent of the U.S. workforce and 69 percent of 2018 college graduates are encumbered by student loans, with the national total student loan debt total climbing steadily towards $1.6T. Student loan assistance has quickly become...Read More

Despite the fact that women tend to live longer, female workers typically have lower retirement account balances than their male counterparts. Many factors may contribute to this disparity, including lower earnings, greater part-time work and time off for child and eldercare, lower levels of financial literacy and lower risk/lower return investment choices. As a result,...Read More

Life is a series of decisions, and everyone has to live with the results of the decisions they make. One of the most serious decisions that we all face is how to prepare for retirement, but frequently we don’t make the best choices to protect our futures. What are some of the most critical decisions...Read More

An educated employee is an empowered employee, especially when it comes to retirement savings and financial wellness. To help employees better understand their fiduciary process, the key features of your company’s retirement plan, and the importance of setting aside money for their future, it’s crucial to offer financial education. Financial education can come in many...Read More

According to a Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) report fewer than four in ten U.S. workers know about a tax credit that may help them save for retirement, per the IRS. The Saver’s Credit is available to eligible taxpayers who are saving for retirement. The Saver’s Credit is a non-refundable tax credit, and can be...Read More