401(k) fees aren't everything, says Flanagan

As they examine the 401(k) retirement plan system, policy makers would be wise not to focus all their attention on fees, Martin L. Flanagan, chairman of the Investment Company Institute of Washington said today at the ICI’s general membership meeting.
MAY 09, 2007
By  Bloomberg
As they examine the 401(k) retirement plan system, policy makers would be wise not to focus all their attention on fees, Martin L. Flanagan, chairman of the Investment Company Institute of Washington said today at the ICI’s general membership meeting. Fees are important, said Mr. Flanagan, who is also the chairman and chief executive of AMVESCAP PLC of London, but “too much focus on fees could… drive employers and workers to look at holding down total investment costs when they should be looking at how to provide investment growth by constructing portfolios with the full range of investment options to help build retirement nest eggs,” he said. Mr. Flanagan also warned that as policy makers look at improving disclosure in 401(k) plans, they look at improving disclosure required of all investment vehicles in such plans – not just mutual funds. Mutual funds account for just half the assets in 401(k) plans, he said. The remaining half are invested in other vehicles such as employers’ stock, guaranteed income contracts and separately managed accounts, Mr. Flanagan said.

Latest News

Judge OKs more than $90 million in settlement money for GWG investors
Judge OKs more than $90 million in settlement money for GWG investors

Mayer Brown, GWG's law firm, agreed to pay $30 million to resolve conflict of interest claims.

Fintech bytes: Orion and eMoney add new planning, investment tools for RIAs
Fintech bytes: Orion and eMoney add new planning, investment tools for RIAs

Orion adds new model portfolios and SMAs under expanded JPMorgan tie-up, while eMoney boosts its planning software capabilities.

Retirement uncertainty cuts across generations: Transamerica
Retirement uncertainty cuts across generations: Transamerica

National survey of workers exposes widespread retirement planning challenges for Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.

Does a merger or acquisition make sense for your firm? Why now is the perfect time to secure your firm’s future
Does a merger or acquisition make sense for your firm? Why now is the perfect time to secure your firm’s future

While the choice for advisors to "die at their desks" might been wise once upon a time, higher acquisition multiples and innovations in deal structures have created more immediate M&A opportunities.

Raymond James continues recruitment run with UBS, Morgan Stanley teams
Raymond James continues recruitment run with UBS, Morgan Stanley teams

A father-son pair has joined the firm's independent arm in Utah, while a quartet of planning advisors strengthen its employee channel in Louisiana.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave