February 15th, 2018

Fee and Industry Shifts Mean Retirement Plan Providers Can Play Hardball A look back at how Fidelity will charge new plan sponsor clients on its platform who choose Vanguard products makes visible the hard-nosed competition that defines the retirement plan recordkeeping and brokerage industries. Read more > Self-Reporting to SEC of 12b-1 Conflicts of Interest Not Without Risk Offering some preliminary commentary on the SEC’s newly announced adviser 12b-1 fee conflict of interest “amnesty” program, as it’s being referred to in the trade media, Wagner Law Group attorneys warn of the inherent risks in the self-reporting of violations. Read more > Robo-Adviser Tech Enthusiasts Report Less Provider Trust Cerulli Associates’ latest reporting offers a deep dive into the differences in investor preferences measured across those who seek out and prefer traditional, in-person advisory relationships, compared with those who prefer Web-based advisory programs. Read more > Cybersecurity and Benefit Plans One unresolved issue is whether private participant data is a plan asset under ERISA’s fiduciary duty provisions. While ERISA does not provide a general definition of “plan asset,” courts have followed the position of the DOL that notions of ordinary property rights address that question, but that analysis is of limited help with respect to private participant plan data. Read more > MOST READ ARTICLES

Sponsored message from Ascensus Change Management: The Value of Flexibility The shifting retirement plan landscape offers advisers a chance to rethink the range of solutions they use with clients. Read more > Manning & Napier Updates Social Security, Medicare Guides Updates to the firm’s Social Security and Medicare guides, among other publications, aim to help individuals and employers make the best decisions when it comes to maximizing and coordinating private and government benefits. Read more > PLANADVISER Recordkeeper Services Guide Recordkeeping has always been a challenging business, as exemplified by the shrinking number of providers participating in the annual PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey and accompanying PLANADVISER Recordkeeping Services Guide. Brian O’Keefe, director of research and surveys at Strategic Insight, parent of PLANADVISER, says, “Recordkeeping is often described as a commodity, and that might be true for the administration of participant accounts, but the 55 providers responding to this year’s survey showcase a wide range of investment, technology and servicing options.” Read more > Market Mirror Wednesday, the Dow gained 253.04 points (1.03%) to finish at 24,893.49, the NASDAQ closed 130.11 points (1.86%) higher at 7,143.62, and the S&P 500 increased 35.69 points (1.34%) to 2,698.63. The Russell 2000 was up 27.15 points (1.82%) at 1,522.10, and the Wilshire 5000 climbed 396.83 points (1.44%) to 28,004.59. The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 24/32, boosting its yield to 2.916%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond fell 1 10/32, bringing its yield up to 3.181%.

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