More than half of plan sponsors are considering reducing or eliminating their employer contributions until the COVID-19 crisis is over, according to a survey of plan record keepers conducted by two groups associated with the defined contribution business.
Twenty-one plan record keepers responded to the survey, conducted by the SPARK Institute and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association. The record keepers said they are adjusting their processes to accommodate coronavirus-related distributions, or CRDs; 80% said they have already updated their systems and procedures to accommodate the CARES Act.
None of the surveyed companies has plans for layoffs or staff reductions, although many have put in place hiring freezes. But 98% of the industry is now working from home, up from 20% in January, to address social distancing guidelines. The transition to working from home caused minimal disruption since the industry has had work-from-home procedures in place for more than a decade.
To address the increase in employees working from home, record keepers have responded with an increased focus on cybersecurity, supplying employees with necessary technology and online team calls.
Participants are not shifting their investments, in a break from their behavior during the 2009 financial crisis. Instead, they are looking for loans or hardship withdrawals, the record keepers said. For those participants that are moving assets, the shift is toward fixed-income products.
“Surprisingly, a significant portion of participants are increasing their deferrals,” according to the press release.
The Reddit trading community's formal comment letter against the proposal is drawing widespread attention across finance and tech circles.
RIA aggregator adds $4.8 billion in client assets across seven states as demand grows for alternatives to traditional succession models.
As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management
Shareholder targets FS KKR Capital's directors over alleged portfolio valuation and dividend missteps.
UBS has a history of costly litigation stemming from the sale of volatile investment products.
As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management
Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline
