In Practice

Federal data collection efforts to date have captured little information on retirement accounts holding unconventional assets—such as real estate, precious metals, private equity, and virtual currency. 

However, small and mid-sized business owners survey by The Pew Charitable Trusts do like the idea of auto-IRAs and other ways to provide retirement plans to employees.

A new series of white papers from Fiduciary Benchmarks asks the challenging question, “Who has the job of determining whether an adviser’s compensation is reasonable?”

With the amount of advances in 2016, RIAs anticipate 2017 to see even more increases—despite rules that lie ahead. 

A new study suggests 78% of Americans are stressed about their financial future regardless of income, but they can reverse this trend by exhibiting specific behaviors.

Looking to 2017 and beyond, investors must accept that expectations for market returns over the next 10 to 15 years have declined for most asset classes. 

The company also predicts continued changes in adviser fee models and stricter requirements for DC plan loans.

Today, investors are enjoying retirement income costs lower by as much as 14% versus a few months ago, according to BlackRock’s CoRI Retirement Indexes.

Clients are demanding new approaches to investing and new ways to address fiduciary risks; advisers are finding ways to oblige them. 

The oldest segment of respondents is likelier to say they don’t make enough money to worry about financial planning.

Robo-advisers gained some traction in the DC industry this year, and many have come to see how the technology could work with, rather than against, traditional advisers.

However, concerns towards fiduciary risk decreased—with less than 11% of plans citing it as a top concern.

A wide-ranging economic analysis suggests the top 1% continues to earn vastly more in the markets than the average U.S. citizen; but the middle class is gaining ground...

More than 87% of respondents to a survey believe employer-sponsored student loan contribution programs are significant.

In light of heightened regulatory pressure, advisers are reevaluating portfolio management strategies to generate sufficient retirement income in a low-interest-rate and cost-sensitive environment.

Surveys show a majority of advisers believe they will continue to manage their clients’ money for multiple generations, even if they don't know the heirs. 

A GAO analysis finds the number of borrowers, especially older borrowers, who have experienced offsets of Social Security benefits to repay defaulted federal student loans has increased over...

A new study highlights the idea of financial independence in retirement and suggests retirees should turn to family for financial support as they age.

Both employers and employees remained committed to funding defined contribution plans during the year, which saw significant market swings and bouts of uncertainty. 

The Urban Institute has suggested policy proposal that could help Hispanics' retirement income prospects.