In Practice

Plan sponsors should avoid using “jargon” investment language that some participants do not understand, even terms that would seem to be common knowledge, such as “equity.”

Arnerich Massena Inc. released “Seeking the Investment Frontier,” a white paper examining the pros and cons of the frontier market asset class.

Nearly two in 10 individuals, or 18.5%, have taken a loan from their 401(k) plan, Navigant Economics said in a policy brief.

No recession is forecast, but investment managers show less confidence in U.S. economy, according to Northern Trust’s second-quarter survey.

 A dividend tax rate hike scheduled for January might have an impact on Americans who rely directly and indirectly on dividends, a study found.  

 The defined contribution (DC) retirement plan industry has a “self-esteem problem” that must be addressed, one industry expert contends.     

Some women say if their relationship with a spouse or partner terminated, they would also end their relationship with a financial adviser. 

Retirement plan sponsors say automatic features are increasing employees’ retirement readiness, according to a study from Lincoln Financial Group and Retirement Made Simpler.

Employees who have one-on-one sessions with retirement professionals more likely participate in retirement plans and save more than those who do not.

Data from the 2010 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) suggests retirement savings progress has slowed and even reversed in the wake of the financial crisis.

Diversified has released a white paper about improving retirement plan enrollment. 

Identifying a plan sponsor’s objectives for a defined contribution (DC) plan should drive the investment consulting process.

Assets in employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs and annuities totaled $17.9 trillion at year-end 2011, up slightly from 2010, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI).

Almost 40% of registered investment advisers (RIAs) plan to hire additional staff in the next six months, TD Ameritrade...

High-net-worth women put a high premium on performance and personalization from their financial advisers, a survey by Schwab Advisor...

An SEI quick poll of 50 corporate defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors found 26% use a 3(38) fiduciary manager. 

Plan sponsors should be adding more fixed-income choices to their investment menus, according to a study.  

Despite the rising cost of health care, many retirees are not concerned about paying for it.

One-third of all 401(k) plan participants in plans recordkept by Vanguard invested their entire account balance in a professionally managed asset allocation and investment option in 2011.

Because of the economy and recent employment-related legislation, many employers have shifted to benefits that place primary responsibility and control on employees, a survey found.