Sellers’ Market Brings Succession Planning to the Fore
RIA industry analysts and executives agree that it’s a “sellers’ market” when it comes to acquisitions and mergers among independent advisory shops; they warn many potential sellers are ill-prepared for an ownership transition.
Liquidity Buckets and Other Strategies to Protect Boomers’ Savings
Building sources of near- and mid-term liquidity is increasingly important for Baby Boomers.
What Is a DOL Adviser Investigation Like?
The number of Department of Labor investigations of financial advisers has steadily increased over the years; here is a primer on the DOL’s sources of authority, and what to expect when examiners come knocking.
Managed Account QDIA Mechanics Challenge Plan Sponsor Clients
ERISA attorneys and plan design consultants say they are hearing more questions from sponsors about using managed accounts as a plan’s default investment, but the most common use case remains opt-in managed accounts.
Assessing Likely Impacts of IRS Hardship Withdrawal Rule Changes
New rules established by Congress and the IRS simplify the process for participants to request a hardship withdrawal of DC plan assets; some experts say this could increase “leakage,” while others anticipate more positive effects, such as lower debt among cash-strapped participants.
Gen Xers Should Consider Sequence of Returns Risk
The recent bouts of equity market volatility highlight the importance of balancing portfolio growth aspirations with the need to protect what has already been accumulated; Generation X faces a difficult task in balancing short- and long-term financial priorities.
Plan Sponsors Have Questions About Dynamic Default Investments
Progressive plan design features take time to catch on, including the emerging “hybrid QDIA” approach that pairs TDFs and managed accounts; experts say plan sponsors are interested, but they remain unsure about the right way to design and deliver a dynamic default investment.
For Millennials, Market Volatility Can Bring Opportunity
While workers with nearer retirement dates fret stock market volatility, Millennials have the chance to buy discounted shares and enjoy compounding returns.
State-Based Fiduciary Regulations Take Shape in 2019
Regulators and legislators in a growing number of states say they are acting to fill a perceived void created by federal government disengagement; just last week, a long-awaited Nevada proposal was made public.
Strategies to Manage Retirement Plan Loans
Enshrining these in a well-crafted loan policy statement can help plan sponsor clients take control of leakage and excess early withdrawals; like any stated compliance policy, what is written must be followed.
Advisers Play Important Role in Bringing ESG to ERISA Plan Clients
The Department of Labor issued a Field Assistance Bulletin in 2018 that caused some confusion about its true stance with respect to ESG investing inside ERISA plans; investment experts and attorneys say interest remains strong among plan sponsors and participants, nonetheless.
This Plan Sponsor Is All-In on ESG TDFs
Many plan sponsors fear being a trendsetter, but United World College-USA is proud of using ESG investing themes in its custom target-date QDIA, built with TIAA and LongView Asset Management, and offering a guaranteed retirement income solution.
Fee Transparency, Custom Defaults on Client Agendas for 2019
Even as the retirement plan industry has evolved in important and significant ways, the manner in which providers present fees and articulate value has not changed all that much.
Cash Balance Plan Clients Need Specialized Administrative Systems
Cash balance plan participants expect the same service and information from their pension plan as from a defined contribution (DC) plan.
Can Congress Help Change Sponsors’ Take on In-Plan Annuities?
Experts believe the annuity provider selection safe harbor provision in the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act could limit fiduciary liability for plan sponsors offering guaranteed income in their DC plans.