IMHO: A Window of “Opportunity″
The past year has brought with it an extraordinary amount of change to our industry.
In Practice
Two-Thirds of DC Plans Use Management Consultant
Sixty-nine percent of defined contribution plan sponsors use an investment management consultant, according to a new survey.
Schwab Finds Participants Reap Rewards from 401(k) Advice and Target-Date Funds
Participants using an advice product in 401(k) plans administered by Schwab Corporate&Retirement Services earned an average 3% higher return than those who did not, according to new data.
Hiring in Financial Services Expected to Rise in 2008
Half of financial services firms plan to increase professional hiring in 2008.
Sponsors Searching for Ways to Boost Participation Rates
Automated retirement plan features such as automatic enrollment are driving up 401(k) plan participation rates at U.S. companies, according to Diversified Investment Advisors, Inc.
Advisers Face Obstacles to Offering Retirement Income Planning
As Baby Boomers retiree, advisers and broker-dealers must decide how they will differentiate themselves and deliver an efficient retirement income program.
Advisers Planning to Increase Use of Managed Accounts
Although all advisers plan to increase their use of managed accounts, registered representatives at broker-dealer firms are twice as likely to plan on doing so.
Investors Looking for Advisers to Provide Security
Referrals and a need for reassurance that savings will last through retirement are the main way and reason clients come to a financial adviser.
IMHO: Motivationally Speaking
This week, PLANSPONSOR’s November issue will start arriving in the mail (and, with a little bit of luck and time, online).
New Report Highlights Benefits of Adviser Teams
The best adviser candidates for adviser teams are those constantly looking to improve their practice, the most recent Cerulli report says.
Use of Auto Features Triples in One Year at Principal
In one year, the number of employer clients offering at least one auto-savings tool, automatic enrollment or automated savings increases, nearly tripled to more than 30,000, according to...
Widowed Women Most Likely to Turn to Financial Advisers
Nearly half (40.5%) of widows say they rely on financial advisers for investing advice, more than double any other female demographic group, according to The OppenheimerFunds, Inc. 2007...
Money Not Openly Discussed In Families
Baby Boomers appear to be talking more with their adult children about family finances than with their parents, a new study says.
Poll Pull
Think you know what it takes to be a top-ranked college football team? Think again.
Fund Ownership Most Common Through Tax-deferred Accounts
About twice as many U.S. households own mutual funds through tax-deferred accounts – employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs, and variable annuities - as own funds outside such accounts, according...
Study Shows Savings Growth Potential of Fixed Income Annuities
Incorporating a fixed income annuity in a retirement income account yields greater long-term wealth for an investor, and more income security, than a portfolio of equity and bond...
Small Business Employers Not Eager to Offer Retirement Plans
Nearly half (47%) of small business owners who do not currently offer a 401(k) said they never intend to offer one, according to a recent survey.
Report Provides Suggestions for Improving Sales Compensation
A new report finds that the range and composition of sales compensation varies significantly among asset management firms.
While the Cats Away, the Mice….
Three-quarters of employees in a recent poll said it doesn’t make any difference to the quality of their work whether their supervisor is on the premises or not.
COLI Use As NQDC Funding Vehicle Increases
Non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans continue to be widely utilized and more employers are turning to corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) to informally fund them, according to a new...