Recent News

Fidelity Reports Record Gains for 401(k) Participants May 24, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Fidelity Investments released a quarterly analysis of its 401(k) accounts, which found that the overall average balance achieved a record high $80,900 at the end of the first quarter. Kevin McGuinness editors@planspon

Bill Would Spare Tax Penalties for Distributions May 24, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new bill could assist homeowners affected by Hurricane by allowing them, under certain conditions, to avoid tax penalties for making withdrawals from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or 401(k) plans. Kevin McGui

Marketing for Advisers: It’s All About Trust Corie Russell A successful client/adviser relationship is 50% about investments and 50% about trust, according to Stacey Haefele, CEO of HNW, a marketing and technology firm. And if an adviser shares a strong relationship with his client, it can actual

Atlanta RIA Allegedly Stole $2M from Investors Jill Cornfield The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Blake Richards, a registered representative of a broker/dealer, with misappropriating retirement savings from widows or widowers. Late last week, the SEC filed an emergency action se

Progress, Hurdles Continue for African Americans Jill Cornfield Light on retirement savings and burdened with student debt, African Americans continue making financial progress, according to the follow-up to Prudential’s 2011 study.  The 2013 African American Financial Experience study shows this p

Aspen Briefs Congress on Retirement, Financial Security Kevin McGuinness The Aspen Institute presented a briefing to Congress last week on retirement and financial security. The briefing took place on May 16, 2013, and addressed enhancing retirement security for American households. According to the

CUIT Opportunistic Bond Fund Launched May 24, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR) – Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) has launched the CUIT Opportunistic Bond Fund (OBF). Kevin McGuinness editors@plansponsor.com The new commingled fixed-income fund is available for tax-exempt Catholic institutions

How to Combat the 401(k) Loan Problem May 24, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Many 401(k) retirement plans allow participants to borrow from their accounts, which can lead to defaults and inadequate retirement savings.   Corie Russell news@plansponsor.com Participants take 401(k) loans for

How to Combat the 401(k) Loan Problem Corie Russell Many 401(k) retirement plans allow participants to borrow from their accounts, which can lead to defaults and inadequate retirement savings.   Participants take 401(k) loans for many reasons, but buying a house is among the most common, J

Aspen Briefs Congress on Retirement, Financial Security May 24, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – The Aspen Institute presented a briefing to Congress last week on retirement and financial security. Kevin McGuinness editors@plansponsor.com The briefing took place on May 16, 2013, and addressed enhanci

DOL Announces Two Fiduciary Seminars Kevin McGuinness The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) will be offering two seminars about retirement plan compliance and fiduciary responsibilities. These seminars are being presented by the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) as part of its “Getti

The Regulators Are Coming Rebecca Moore The Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefit Security Administration’s (EBSA) budget has decreased for 2014, but this will not affect enforcement. Bradford P. Campbell, of counsel at Drinker Biddle & Reath in Washington, D.C., during an audiocast sponso

The Regulators Are Coming May 23, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – The Department of Labor (DOL) Employee Benefit Security Administration’s (EBSA) budget has decreased for 2014, but this will not affect enforcement. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com Bradford P. Campbell, of counsel at Drinker Bi

Rollovers Rule the IRA Roost Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs) get the most contributions, and IRAs funded by rollovers hold the most money, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found. Of the new contributions, most go into Roth IRAs, but most of the assets are held in traditional

Higher Education 403(b)s An Opportunity for Advisers Rebecca Moore As 403(b) plans continue to evolve, there are still ample opportunities for plan advisers to help plan sponsors improve their plans and processes. The fifth annual 403(b) plan survey, from the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA)

Altegris Bulks Up Macro Strategy Porfolio Jill Cornfield The global strategies of 300 North Capital and Willowbridge Associates were added to the Altegris Macro Strategy Fund to enhance its potential to generate absolute returns. The Altegris Macro Strategy Fund seeks to generate absolute returns