Most Recent
Regs leave 401(k) business 'wide open' for advisers
February 3, 2013
When it comes to retirement plans, more-stringent regulations could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for financial advisers. The Labor Department released tougher rules for fee disclosure last summer and is expected to release a re-proposed broader definition of “fiduciary” ...
Roth 401(k) switch is a good deal for younger taxpayers sitting on cash
January 6, 2013
The Senate's decision to lift restrictions on Roth 401(k) conversions will be a boon to select individuals — those who can afford the tax bill now and whose employers have a Roth plan in place. A key to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, buried at the end of the 157-page law...
Retirees can cut their taxes by delaying Social Security
December 16, 2012
When individual retirement accounts and 401(k)s were created decades ago, the idea was to offer tax-deferred savings on retirement plan contributions while workers were most likely in their highest tax brackets and to tax distributions during retirement when, presumably, their income and tax rates...
Sens.: Protect retirement plans
December 16, 2012
Retirement industry groups are rallying around a proposal championed by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., to protect the tax incentives of saving in retirement plans. This so-called sense of the Congress resolution stresses that not only do tax incentives...
Plan sponsors don't choose advisers based on pricing
December 9, 2012
Fees are important to plan sponsors shopping for advisers, but they aren't necessarily a deal breaker. In fact, in a study of sponsors by Chatham Partners and Franklin Templeton Investments, pricing came in fourth when employers were asked to cite the reasons why they select a...
No 'crew cut' to 401(k) tax breaks, ASPPA chief vows
November 4, 2012
The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries said last week that it is launching a lobbying initiative designed to protect tax deferrals for worker contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans. ASPPA executive director Brian Graff said the organization will begin the ...
State pensions weaken for fourth straight year
November 4, 2012
Funding for state retirement plans fell for a fourth straight year as insufficient contributions and inadequate investment gains overwhelmed cuts that more than 40 legislatures have made to benefits since 2007. The median funding ratio was 71.7% for the year through June 2011, down from 74....
Election to decide fiduciary regulation proposed by DOL
November 4, 2012
The fate of a proposed regulation that could have a profound impact on investment advisers is resting on the results of tomorrow's presidential election.
Goldman offers DC plans an alternative with fund
October 21, 2012
In the latest effort to address some of the asset allocation challenges and missteps seen on most employer-sponsored defined-contribution plans, Goldman Sachs Asset Management has launched an alternative strategy specifically for DC plans. Although the name might not make it clear, the new ...
The Hartford makes 180-degree turn with reorganization
October 7, 2012
The recession has forced a makeover of sorts at The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., where financial advisers are contending with a significantly different insurer than they did five years ago. In its most recent move to divest assets, the insurer last month sold its block of 700,...
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