In Practice

Troubling, many of the companies that say they have formal succession planning programs in place in truth dedicate very few hard-dollar resources, if any, to help.

Forty-six percent say they would “save less” or “stop saving” in their 401(k) if the tax deferred status of their plan was taken away, according to the Wells...

More than 60% of advisers say they work within a team structure, yet only one-third of teams regularly collaborate in their daily decisions and processes.

Another 40% say they reduced their debt during the year.

More than half (52%) of Americans surveyed think individuals will play a larger role in health insurance and retirement savings, a survey finds.

A Lincoln Financial Group study found government employers want to see better technology, advanced plan designs and personalized service from providers. 

Eighty percent of single women keep a portion of their savings in cash, with 35% keeping 50% or more in liquid savings.

60% say life in retirement exceeds their expectations.

Initially more of an advertising vehicle, a company web page today may be a graphically vivid entrée to valuable information.

Nearly half of sponsors do not think they are fiduciaries, up markedly from 30% in 2011.

Advisers focused on client retention take heed—spouses are increasingly influencing retirement income planning decisions, says Hearts & Wallets research.

Over three-quarters purchased their IRA through an investment professional.

While 66% of larger plans use automatic enrollment, only 51% of smaller plans do.

Nearly one in four say they would be willing to save more than 50% of their paycheck to have more money in the long run.

Cerulli says they are more receptive to comprehensive financial planning than Gen X or Boomer advisers.

With the health care industry facing many uncertainties, organizations are looking to attract top talent.

In a policy paper, Morningstar says state-run plans and multiple employer plans in their current form would create a more fragmented U.S. retirement system for employees.

Fifty percent of Gen Xers surveyed say they cannot start saving for retirement until they pay off their credit card debt.

Fifty-seven percent of employees surveyed do not want their employer to send personalized messages to people facing important financial decisions.

More than one in four now avoid the market and nearly half have altered their spending and savings habits.