News

It was a relatively quiet year on the target-date fund glide path front—at least as far as major equity/fixed-income changes go, according to Morningstar.

 The Fidelity Investments App was updated to enable stock plan participants to better access and track their portfolios, and conduct transactions.   

 CAPTRUST hired three industry veterans in executive positions: Bonnie McCullough, John Curry and Doreen O’Dowd.   

 The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company introduced the Smart Foundation Variable Annuities that add some flexibility to guaranteed retirement income.   

“Overly complex” and “overwhelmed” are two of the feelings expressed by investors in the MFS Investing Sentiment Survey.  

The Hartford introduced three investment managers and 16 investment options to its defined contribution (DC) retirement program offering.

Stephen J. Wagenbach, an institutional relationship manager, will lead Commonfund’s efforts in the firm’s Midwest region.

 Two groups of participants—women and Gen Y members—are increasing their savings in defined contribution plans, according to MassMutual Retirement Services.   

Financial Engines' Income+ has been integrated into J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services’ 401(k) offering.   

Exchange-traded fund (ETF) assets dropped by $5.3 billion (0.4%) in April.

Putnam Investments plans to offer two new share classes to qualified retirement plans.

Despite efforts by employers to educate workers on their 401(k) offering, most workers are not taking full advantage of their plans.

 Marvin W. Tuttle Jr., executive director of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) since 2004, said he will step down from the position in 2014.   

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued frequently asked questions about the requirements of new participant fee disclosure rules.  

 Pacific Life introduced an online tool to help advisers engage clients in a conversation about building sustainable lifetime retirement income.   

Findley Davies, a human resources consultant, launched “Retirement Focus,” a mobile application for iPhones and Android smartphones.

 Service members who work with an adviser cited financial know-how and moral fiber as the top attributes they look for, a survey found.   

Travis Crowell joined the firm BFT Financial Group in Bedford, Texas.  

More than half of high-net-worth Americans (59%) lack confidence in their advisers’ ability to help manage health care costs in retirement.

A certification program for ERISA 3(38) for advisers was initiated by Rosenbaum Law Firm and DALBAR Inc.