JHS Capital Adds Lincoln Model(k) Solution

JHS Capital Advisors now offers Lincoln Trust Co.’s Model(k) plan solution for broker/dealers in the small and mid-sized 401(k) market.

The retirement plan solution supports full 3(21) fiduciary protection and provides access to a core fund lineup of risk-based asset allocation models.

“Lincoln Trust’s open model allows our advisers to provide competitive 401(k) plan designs via access to over 24,000 mutual funds,” says Eileen Canady, vice president of strategic development and marketing at JHS Capital Advisors.

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Canady says another attractive feature of the Model(k) solution is that it doesn’t impose product requirements on advisers, and it strives to have transparent fees. Tom Gonnella, executive vice president of Lincoln Trust, says his firm is excited about the strategic relationship with JHS.

“With fiduciary protection and full transparency, our partnership will allow JHS advisers to offer a unique platform for participants seeking an alternative yet strategic retirement option to a traditional 401(k),” Gonella says.  

In addition to full 3(21) fiduciary protection, Model(k) provides professional fund management, compliance assistance and fee disclosure coverage. Gonella says this is attractive for an adviser’s business, as it will allow staff to focus on managing client relationships, knowing the plan is professionally managed.

Advisers also benefit from other automated support features, the firm says. These include:

  • Investment policy statements;
  • Plan design assistance;
  • Year-end reporting preparation;
  • A participant call center;
  • Mid-year or projected nondiscrimination testing;
  • Sponsor, adviser and participant websites; and
  • Quarterly investment option reporting.

Lincoln says the Model(k) solution will combat the high costs and opaque fee structure sometimes associated with packaged solution products by incorporating such features as personalized expense ratio reports.

Another feature, the online LincolnTrust Personalized Expense Ratio Calculator, walks investors through a five-step process to calculate and benchmark the real cost of their 401(k) plan.

More information about JHS Capital Advisors is available here. More on Lincoln Trust Co. is here.

Cost of Romance Forecast to Hold Steady

After healthy yet modest holiday shopping, consumers will keep an eye on the budget even when it comes to romance, a survey says.

Pets, teachers and colleagues join spouses and significant others on gift lists again this year, with spending on dining and jewelry expected to reach into the billions of dollars, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Valentine’s Day spending survey.

Men are the big spenders on Valentine’s Day. Men are projected to spend $108.38 on gifts for their significant others, twice as much as women, who will spend $49.41 on their special someone. But Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. People show their appreciation for family members (59%) friends (22%) teachers (20%) and colleagues (12%). And like every holiday, Americans won’t forget about their pets: 19% will buy gifts for their furry friends, spending an average of $5.51. 

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The number of celebrants is forecast to tick down, with 54% of American consumers celebrating with their loved ones this year, compared with 60% in 2013. The average person plans to spend a bit more this year: $133.91 for candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more, just slightly above last year’s $130.97. Total spending is expected to reach $17.3 billion.

The main purchase is candy (49%), followed by flowers (37%). More than half those marking the holiday will send cards (51%). About one in five (19%) will treat their significant other to something sparkly. Jewelry spending will total $3.9 billion. More than a third (37%) will celebrate with an evening out, spending an estimated total of $3.5 billion. Others will give clothing (16%) or gift cards (14%).

About a quarter of Valentine’s Day shopping takes place online (26%), almost the same number as last year. Online shopping is in line with the trend of cautious spending: 24% will research products or compare prices on their smartphones and 32% on their tablets.

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