
Plan Advisers Value Trustworthiness, “Personal” Touch from DC Recordkeepers
Retirement plan advisers respond to DC recordkeepers that are present, active, and trusted partners, according to an annual Cogent Syndicated brand survey.

Private Real Estate Funds Are Up 7.4%. Can More DC Participants Get a Foot in the Door?
Private real estate investments typically only available for institutional and wealthy investors can be a stable hedge against inflation and volatility. They’re available for DC retirement plans, but uptake so far has been slow.

Will ETFs Ever Break Into the Retirement Plan Space?
DOL Cautions Small Plan Fiduciaries Against Diving Into Private Equity Investments
The agency issued a supplemental statement in response to stakeholder concerns that private equity investments could be inappropriate for small DC plans.
Paper Offers Tips for Incorporating ESG Investing in DC Plans
DCIIA says it aims to provide practical steps consistent with fiduciary obligations.

David Blanchett Named as QMA’s Head of Retirement Research
One of his top priorities will be to provide research to develop retirement income products for DC plans.
DCALTA Publishes Framework for Implementation of Private Equity in DC Plans
DCALTA says its framework addresses the key implementation challenge identified by plan sponsors: operational aspects of daily valuation of private alternative assets that do not trade on an exchange.

How 3(38) Advising Profits Clients

Best Candidates for Annuities
DOL Issues Guidance About Private Equity Investments in DC Plans
An Information Letter addresses private equity investments as a component of a professionally managed asset allocation fund and outlines what plan fiduciaries should consider.
Willis Towers Watson Outlines DC Plans 3.0
Willis Towers Watson’s Thinking Ahead Institute says defined contribution plan designs and communications will leverage technology to deliver a far more customized experience for participants.
Financial Illiteracy Challenges Those Investing Only in DC Plans
A research report argues that even defined contribution (DC) plan participants in plans with a default investment do not have the financial acumen to know whether the default is right for them or whether they should opt out.
Advisers Can Help Start-Up Retirement Plans Evolve
PLANSPONSOR’s 2018 Defined Contribution Survey found many start-up plans have not yet adopted plan design best practices and many are unsure about fees, but fortunately, nearly two-thirds employ the services of a retirement plan adviser or institutional investment consultant.
Using Behavioral Finance to Boost Retirement Security
IFEBP looks at how emotional, social and cognitive factors can be used to help participants better prepare for retirement and suggests 10 ways sponsors can employ behavioral finance in their retirement plan.
Trends in DC Plan Market to Propel Greater Interest in Managed Accounts
Cerulli believes managed accounts will continue to gather assets as a customized solution for a targeted cohort of a plan’s overall participant population, as well as address decumulation and financial wellness concerns.
Few Retirees Keep Assets in Their DC Plan
Participants who were age 60 or older when they retired were more likely to keep assets in the plan if it permitted installment payments, according to Alight Solutions.
Factors Hindering Adoption of ESG Investments in DC Plans
According to a Cerulli report, fee sensitivity, concerns about performance and regulatory confusion are headwinds to environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment adoption in defined contribution (DC) plans.
Stretching the Match May Produce Unintended Consequences for NHCEs
A Vanguard study focusing on non-highly compensated employee (NHCE) behavior finds higher match thresholds are typically associated with lower plan participation and lower employee contribution rates.
Participants Remained Committed to Their DC Plans During 2018
In the first three quarters of 2018, only 2.2% of participant stopped contributing to their plans, ICI data shows.
Fidelity Sees Continued Progress in 401(k) Plans Despite Market Volatility
With participants not panicking in Q4 2018 and the longer term trends resulting from automatic plan features, Fidelity Investments finds an overall improvement in average participant savings and account balances.