Date Title
2008-08-20
MSRB Revises Series 51 Exam

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) said it revised its exam for 529 college savings plan dealers.
2008-08-18
IMHO: Crisis of Confidence

I’m old enough to have been a driver (albeit a young one) the last time we had a “real” gas crisis.
2008-08-14
The Trials and Tribulation

The World's Most Unusual Olympic Trial
2008-08-11
IMHO: What Will Participants Do?

At the moment, the industry is scrambling to respond to the DoL’s call for comments on the proposed participant fee disclosure regulations by September 8.

2008-07-30
Fidelity Sticks with Controversial Ads

TIAA-CREF has agreed to pull a controversial ad urging federal employees to roll over their assets, but Fidelity refusals to halt a similar ad.
2008-07-29
DoL, SEC Ink Information Sharing Pact

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to continue sharing information about retirement plan investments.
2008-07-24
Calling Steve Bartman….

Boston Red Sox fans finally got to see their dreams come true (twice) – and the Chicago White Sox finally overcame their World Series jinx going back to the infamous Black Sox scandal of 1919.

2008-07-18
House Panel OKs Auto Enrolling New Fed Workers

A House Committee approved a measure to auto enroll new federal workers in the Thrift Savings Plan with a 3% deferral.

2008-07-18
ICI Pushes DoL for More Employee Advice

The Investment Company Institute (ICI) urged the Department of Labor (DoL) to provide workers and retirees with more access to advice and education about managing assets and income in retirement.
2008-07-14
IMHO: Motivationally Speaking

As anyone who has (or has been) a teenager can attest, motivation is a tricky business. Once upon a time, it took little more than a smile or a “good girl” to motivate my children to do the right things (alongside the occasional threat to rely on corporal punishment).

2008-07-11
SPARK Updates 403(b) Info Sharing Practices to Reflect DTCC Project

The SPARK Institute released a new version of its “Best Practices for 403(b) Plans Information Sharing -- Minimum and Comprehensive Data Elements” reflecting a project by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) to develop an information sharing service.
2008-07-03
National Save for Retirement Week Set for October

In order to encourage Americans to make saving for retirement an everyday event, the government is set to dedicate a whole week to it.
2008-06-30
IMHO: National Treasure

This coming Friday, the nation will, in large part, set aside its normal business for a three-day weekend filled with cookouts and fireworks displays, as we commemorate the birthday of our nation.

2008-06-27
EBRI Testifies to Congressional Committee about IRAs

The CEO of EBRI testified to the Committee on Ways and Means that IRAs are an important part of the retirement landscape.
2008-06-26
A Healthy Focus on Finances

Those looking to improve their health and happiness may want to review their portfolio before revving up the treadmill.
2008-06-23
Finding the Right Target

Panelists discussed the issues surrounding QDIA strategies at PLANSPONSOR’s Plan Designs conference in Chicago.
2008-06-23
IMHO: “Swimming” Pool

Having just spent most of the past week in Chicago at our annual Plan Designs conference (bigger and better than ever, I might add!), my head is still swimming with new ideas, modifications of existing “assumptions,” and the occasional validation of the “tried and true.”
2008-06-23
Using Plan Data to Improve Features and Operations

In addition to facilitating administrative and fiduciary functions, retirement plan data can help plan administrators decide on value-added plan features and services.
2008-06-19
Door Jam?

Here’s what happens when you only have half a plan….
2008-06-16
IMHO: Time Enough?

My dad has been on my mind a lot of late—for no particular reason that I’ve been able to identify.

2008-05-07
SPARK Releases Final Best Practices for 403(b)s

The SPARK Institute released final versions of its "Best Practices for 403(b) Plans" and a sample Information Sharing Agreement (ISA).