Week ending February 17th, 2017

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Happy Friday, readers! We learned this week that the retirement plan advisory industry will have to wait even longer to see a Department of Labor Secretary first questioned and then either confirmed or denied by the U.S. Senate. You’ll likely have heard by now that President Trump’s first pick couldn’t get enough support to actually win the job—even from a Senate controlled by Republican allies—leading to a last-minute withdrawal for the nominee just before his confirmation hearings were set to start. Find below our initial coverage of the new nominee, Alex Acosta, along with the week’s other top news.

Editor's choice

President Names DOL Nominee With Deeper Labor Ties

Days after the surprise withdrawal of Andrew Puzder as President Trump’s Labor Secretary nominee, the White House is now confirming their new pick for the job, former member of the National Labor Relations Board R. Alexander Acosta. Read more >

Fiduciary RIAs and Investment Brokers Have Opposing Views

A new Cogent Reports analysis explores the strong difference of opinion about the DOL fiduciary rule visible across different advisory market segments. Read more >

Lawmakers Move to Block Final Rule on State-Run Retirement Plans

Their concerns are that small businesses will be discouraged from offering retirement plans to employees, and that employees put into state-run plans will not have the protections of ERISA and will have limited control over their retirement savings. Read more >

Financial Wellness Should Focus on Building Confidence

Confidence likely has more bearing than actual financial acumen on a worker’s ability to improve his or her financial situation, Mercer concludes from survey findings. Read more >

MOST POPULAR STORIES

The 2022 Retirement Landscape Takes Shape

The U.S. faces a $4 trillion retirement savings gap heading in the new year, but both public and private solutions are coming online to help more people prepare adequately for life after work.

Employees Favor Retirement Plans That Substitute Annuities for Bonds

A survey also found nearly half of employees prefer to have a mix of investments and lifetime income over either traditional pensions or investments alone.

NFP’s Wealthspire Acquires Private Ocean

Wealthspire’s leadership calls the acquisition “a significant opportunity to plant a flag on the West Coast and demonstrate our growing national scope.”

Plaintiffs File ERISA Excessive Fee Lawsuit Against VCA

The lawsuit claims the veterinary hospital network’s retirement plan, which has more than $500 million in assets, should have paid lower fees for recordkeeping and administrative services.

Retirement Industry People Moves

Portfolio Evaluations adds senior fiduciary consultant; Voya Investment Management to acquire Tygh Capital Management; and Alan Biller and Associates makes key promotions.

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