
Most Advisers Seeking Options Like HSAs, 529s to Compete for New Plans
Advisers are most interested in adding HSAs, 529s and emergency savings accounts to their offerings, according to a survey by small plan provider Vestwell.

Research: Adding Alts To Target-Date Funds Can Boost Savings Outcomes
Adding private market investments to TDFs can boost retirement income as much as 2%, according to Georgetown and WTW research.

TIAA Survey Suggests Women May Be Better at Predicting Life Expectancy
The research shows that most people don’t know average life expectancies, but women have a better handle on it than men.

Reconsidering Target-Date Funds After a Rocky 2022
Advisers and plan sponsors should consider both use and education around target-date funds after 2022 declines, according to new research from MFS.

Research Shows Workers Favor Guaranteed Income Over Financial Wellness Tools
Almost half of respondents agreed annuities can offer safety and stability, though other research shows in-plan defined contribution annuities are not picking up among employers.

Fiduciary Concerns Continue to Stymie Annuities in 401(k)s
Employers have embraced 401(k) plan benefits changes for 2023, but are still shying away from annuities, according to Alight.

CDC Says U.S. Life Expectancy Fell to 76.4 Years in ‘21, Lowest Since 1996
Retirement plan consulting and actuary head says COVID-19 has muddled mortality outcome tracking, with the industry awaiting delayed IRS mortality improvement tables.

Betterment, Vanguard Find Workers Tapped Retirement Savings in 2022
Workers are increasingly dipping into savings to cover costs that are increasing due to inflation, creating a moment for advisers to work with plan sponsors on their financial benefit programs.

Workers, Employers, Contributed to Retirement Plans at Record Rates
Retirement contribution rates reached record highs, with combined worker and employer contributions equal to 13.9% of pay in 2021, new data from the Plan Council of America show.

Study: Women Say Competing Priorities Hinder Retirement Saving
Although women live longer than men, many retire earlier than planned and few can save enough to reach the income replacement levels as men in retirement.

Morningstar Raises “Safe” Retirement Withdrawal Rate to 3.8%
Morningstar researchers say higher interest rates and lower equity evaluations will make starting with a 3.8% withdrawal rate safe for a balanced saver over a 30-year time horizon.

Self-Directed Retirement Investors In Brokerage Accounts Stay in Equities Despite Volatility
According to a Charles Schwab report, the average account balance decreased approximately 20%, year-over-year.

Plan Advisers Value Trustworthiness, “Personal” Touch from DC Recordkeepers
Retirement plan advisers respond to DC recordkeepers that are present, active, and trusted partners, according to an annual Cogent Syndicated brand survey.

Sharp Year-End Decrease In Bonuses Expected for Financial Sector
In the financial services sector, base salaries increase 4% to 5% for the second straight year in 2022, while bonuses are set to fall amid volatile markets, according to Johnson Associates.

Retirement Account Balances Down 21% or More in Q3, Fidelity Data Shows
Data from more than 35 million participants in Fidelity accounts shows a steep hit to balances during the market downturn, but the majority of workers (86%) kept their savings contributions unchanged.

Retirement Plans Still Vital in Talent War to Retain Employees
Research from Voya finds U.S. workers still value a retirement plan about as much as a flexible work arrangement. Ubiquity Retirement + Savings backed up the findings, saying it will double sales of 401(k)s in part due to the war for talent.

53% of Savers Who Rely on Workplace Plans Don’t Work with Advisers
U.S. consumers have a growing appetite for professional financial advice, but more than half of people relying on their employer-sponsored plan don’t go beyond self-service options, according to Hearts & Wallets.

Expert Panel: The Economic and Political Sides of ESG
Experts caution against including political values in investment strategy, but explain that ESG is not a political agenda.

Smaller Asset Managers Lag Behind in Adviser Digital Experience
Gap in website satisfaction between large and small asset managers could lead to less investment.

Financial Advisers Focused on Client Outreach
A new survey finds that a majority of advisers expect marketing efforts to play a big role in growing their client base as they prepare for 2023.