Fidelity Releases 403(b) Document Generator

Fidelity Investments has introduced 403(b) Quick, a Web-based plan document tool designed to help tax-exempt employers generate recordkeeping agreements and plan documents to help them comply with new 403(b) regulations.

According to the company, the 403(b) Quick tool is simple enough to allow employers to establish a standard recordkeeping agreement with Fidelity and create a plan document in as little as 15 minutes. Employers answer a series of questions and enter information about the plan, including the employer’s contact information, plan information (e.g., plan type and effective dates), plan features (e.g., whether the plan offers catch-up contributions or loan and hardship withdrawals), and information on other approved investment providers offered, and the tool will generate a new recordkeeping agreement that will be mailed to the employer to sign.

The recordkeeping agreement enables Fidelity to provide 403(b) plan administration to the new plan. Once the agreement is complete, Fidelity will then send the completed plan document to the employer along with a how-to manual that takes them through the most essential provisions of the new regulations, according to Fidelity.

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The 403(b) Quick tool will be made available at no cost to employers interested in working with Fidelity.

Fidelity additionally announced it is releasing a second report on the 403(b) regulations called, “From Surviving to Thriving: Making the Most of the New 403(b) Regulations,” which the company said will be available May 2. The report provides employers with an understanding of the basic requirements of the legislation to aid compliance and offers employers factors to consider when thinking strategically about 403(b) plan design.

According to a recent survey of Fidelity clients, almost 30% of employers have not yet created a written 403(b) plan document – a requirement under the new regulations – and many offer 403(b) plans from multiple providers, increasing the amount of administrative work it will take to comply with the new regulations.

All of Fidelity’s 403(b) tools and resources are, or will be, available online at www.Fidelity.com/403bregulations.

Pioneer Investments Names New U.S. Institutional Leader

John (Jack) F. O’Connor has joined Pioneer Investments as Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Institutional, effective April 28, 2008.

According to the company, in this newly created position, O’Connor is responsible for managing Pioneer Investments’ institutional business in the U.S., including Sales, Client Service, Consultant Relations, and related support staff. He leads a group of 11 professionals in Pioneer’s U.S. institutional team, and will coordinate closely with the global institutional organization.

O’Connor has 14 years of experience in the institutional investment business, the announcement said. Prior to joining Pioneer, he was Senior Vice President and Director of North American Sales and Consultant Relations at MFS Investment Management in Boston. Prior to MFS, O’Connor spent two years as Vice President of Marketing and Client Services at Franklin Portfolio Associates in Boston, and previously worked at BankBoston where he was a Vice President in the Asset Management Group and Securities Department Sales.

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“Jack brings a wealth of experience to Pioneer Investments and we look forward to his leadership of our institutional team,” Daniel K. Kingsbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pioneer Investment Management USA Inc., said in a company announcement.

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