April 2023
Special Coverage
NQDCs Have Never Been More Popular. Is There Room for Them to Grow?
Trying to attract and keep talent, firms offering nonqualified compensation plans may need more innovation than expansion.
For NQDCs to Meet Growth Potential, Experts Turn to Customization
Less than half of recordkeepers currently offer “top hat service” for highly compensated employees.
Beyond Comp: What Makes Advisory M&A Deals Stick
When it comes to setting up a successful long-term relationship with top advisers, firms still generally rely on sticks instead...
Past Special Coverage
DCIO and Investment Menus
This month’s special coverage considers the defined contribution investment products, services and trends that are shaping participant outcomes.
TDFs: Set, But Not Forgotten
TDFs may be ‘set it and forget it’ investment vehicles, but they continue to evolve to meet plan sponsor needs...
CIT Growth Continues With Adviser Backing
As more plan sponsors turn to collective investment trusts to reduce costs, industry experts see both opportunities and challenges.
DC Plan Experts See Slow, Steady Progress in Plan Personalization
Solutions such as managed accounts and custom TDFs are evolving, but challenges to uptake remain, according to industry players.
Asset Managers Exploring Fresh Avenues to Bring Alts Into DC Plans
Per Cerulli, asset managers are leveraging CITs and interval funds to try and get into DC plans; an adviser sees...
Plan Cybersecurity
September’s special coverage series considers the current cybersecurity needs and focus areas for employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Retirement Plans
The game is continually evolving for keeping plan data and systems safe. In this special coverage article, experts discuss how...
Keys to Guarding Retirement Plan Data Against Human Error
Mistakes managing employer-sponsored plan data often expose vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors.
AI Is Here. Fiduciaries Must Remain Diligent
Experts discuss how the benefits of artificial intelligence for 401(k) plan administration and management also come with risks to be...
Cybercriminals Pose Threat via Executive Accounts
Executives’ workplace retirement plan accounts provide the authority and access hackers need to attack other databases.
Cybersecurity Insurance Considerations
Expert Steve Taylor gives his views on cybersecurity insurance, as breaches proliferate in financial services.
6 Steps to Help Participants Safeguard DC Assets
McKinsey cybersecurity experts give tactics to protect against scammers.
Retirement Plan Litigation
Retirement plan litigation is getting no rest in 2024, with lawsuits focused on new areas of retirement plan design and legal developments including a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Chevron doctrine. This month, we consider various topics related to 401(k)s and the courts.
Major 401(k) Litigators Are ‘Back in Action,’ With More Entering the Fray
After a lull in filings last year, 2024 is seeing an uptick, including from law firms not previously active in...
Top Advisers: Diligence About 401(k) Plan Litigation as Crucial as Ever
Plan advisers share their expertise on what types of plans are most at risk for 401(k) litigation and how they...
Are District Court Rulings the ‘Final End’ For DOL’s Fiduciary Rule?
Two federal courts in Texas halted the DOL’s new fiduciary rule. An appeal is likely, but ERISA experts say Congress...
The High Price of Discovery in ERISA Class Action
An ERISA consultant and expert witness in 401(k) litigation details how advisers can best prepare for potential class action suits.
‘Emerging’ Health Plan Litigation Signals Need for Plan Adviser Diligence
A Wells Fargo health plan lawsuit is a reminder for plan advisers and sponsors to carefully consider and document their...
Participant Service
July’s special coverage delves into participant service from qualified plan advisers, recordkeepers and other players in the retirement ecosystem.
From Plan Education to Wealth Management
When does financial education and planning for a 401(k) participant turn to individual wealth management? Practitioners discuss best practices for...
Challenges Facing Young Savers
Industry experts discuss how to address challenges facing young workers.
Participants’ Progress
Fresh research shows signs of progress for 401(k) savers, but challenges from lack of access to losing momentum due to...
Facing Delayed Retirement, Many Americans Wish They Had Started Saving Sooner
According to new reports from Voya and F&G Annuities & Life, most Americans wish they had started saving for retirement...
The Scramble to Make the Saver’s Match Work
Industry groups, including Pew and the Retirement Clearinghouse, game plan while awaiting a Treasury request for information.
Workplace Advice Use Trending Up, But Age, Assets Matter
Data from Hearts & Wallets found that more middle-asset, middle-aged households are turning to the workplace for financial guidance, but...
The Rothification of Retirement
June’s special coverage series considers the push toward increased Roth use in defined contribution plans and the implications for plan advisers, sponsors and participants.
Roth in Reality
Further guidance is needed for recent federal retirement legislation as industry faces implementation.
Counting on Roth
Federal retirement legislation is in part looking to Roth 401(k) savings to help pay for related incentives—but uptake may be...
Why Roth? Benefits for Plans and Participants
After many years of availability, many employers now offer a Roth 401(k) as part of their plan design—which will make...
The ‘Rothification’ of Retirement Plans: Opportunity and Complexity
In-plan Roth contributions have been available for over 20 years, but recent retirement legislation will increase both their use and...
Nuts & Bolts: Should I do Roth 401(k), Traditional Or Half and Half?
In this Nuts & Bolts entry, PLANADVISER unpacks this essential, but often misunderstood area among participants.
Vanguard: Roth 401(k) Savings Show Steady Growth
Vanguard’s annual America Saves report shows an uptick of Roth 401(k) use both in terms of availability and participant use.
Plan Design Innovation
In May’s special coverage series, PLANADVISER considers innovations and tactics for best in class workplace retirement plan design.
Beyond Auto
Impactful plan design innovations that plan sponsors can make to incentivize workers to save.
Top Advisers Talk Plan Design
Advisers navigate auto and personalization options to maximize plan design.
Why Emergency Savings May Be Staying Out of Plan
PLESAs are tax-privileged and can auto-enroll, but their out-of-plan alternative are currently more popular to many plan sponsors due to...
Addressing Auto Holdouts
Auto-enrollment and escalation are considered the key to 401(k) success; what should advisers do when plan sponsors push back?
Small Business Plan Design in Practice
Advisers and recordkeepers discuss plan design for the burgeoning small business 401(k) market.