ESG Congressional Hearings Show Partisanship Intensifying
Republicans and Democrats are mostly speaking past each other on ESG, which could create regulatory risk and uncertainty going forward.
Recordkeeper “House” Investment Options Worth a Look, But Carefully, Advisers Say
Proprietary recordkeeper fund options can be worth the fee reduction in investment plans, but they must be looked at carefully, note advisers in a PLANADVISER practice progress webinar.
Financial Advisers Rank American Funds, Vanguard as Top Asset Managers
Advisers are most swayed by trust, performance and ease of business when evaluating a manager, according to ISS Market Intelligence.
Fed Raises Rates Again, But How Can Investors Hedge Against Inflation?
Wharton School Professor Emeritus Jeremy Siegel spoke out against Fed rate hikes and laid out potential investor responses.
Designing a Plan Investment Menu in Unprecedented Times
CITs May Be the New Mutual Funds of DC Plans: Have They Earned It?
TDF Asset Growth Off to Good Start in ‘23, Still Below Record ‘21
American Funds and Vanguard captured the most new TDF inflows in the year’s first quarter.
Prime Time for Diversifying with Municipal Bonds, According to Capital Group
Munis provide a good recession buffer in the current market, experts say.
Investment Service & Product Launches
American Century launches actively managed ETF; Nomura starts fund with exposure to private credit; Singapore-based Eastspring launches first CIT for US; and more.
TDF Assets Fell 14% in ‘22, but Inflows Stayed Strong
While market depreciation drove TDFs off a record '21, inflows stayed strong, according to Morningstar.
In Face of Volatility, Diversity Rules in Retirement Plan Menus
Experts discuss how to diversify—and remain calm—despite the headlines.
SVB Collapse Likely to Discourage Rate Hikes
PGIM fixed income experts see a 25 basis point hike next week, no others this year as inflation is less of a risk than larger economic headwinds due to bank concerns.
To Rollover or Not to Rollover? That is the Question for Retirees
A line is being drawn in the retirement industry between those advocating for participants to roll out of plans and those looking to keep them in plan, according to Cerulli.
As US Awaits Biden Veto to Keep ESG Rule, Advisers Shrug
Much ink has been spilled over legislation to overturn a DOL rule that allows ESG investing in retirement plans. Plan advisers say that no matter what happens, they will stick to current operations.
Fidelity: Gen Z Savers Pour Into IRAs
For all age groups, however, average 401(k) balances were down 23% in 2022 due to declines in both stocks and bonds.
Investment Service and Product Launches
California ABLE program selects Vestwell for disability savings; Embark launches automated investing platform; and more.
60/40 Portfolio Can Be Improved With Creative Use of Alternatives, Experts Say
After stock-and-bond “bloodbath” in 2022, retirement savers may want to rework the old 60/40 return model.
Collective Trusts Expected to Top Mutual Funds as Primary Target-Date Vehicles in 2023
Most target-date providers saw losses in 2022, with gains coming mostly from CIT-based funds.
Putnam Adds Sustainable Retirement TDFs
Putnam brings its first ESG-focused target-date series to defined contribution plans, with plans for further choice, personalization.
529 Flows Dip to $1.5B, But Still Strong Amid Market Volatility
As of the fourth quarter of 2022, the total market for 529 savings plans rose to 16 million accounts with $411 billion in assets, according to data from ISS Market Intelligence.