Tag: Enrollment participation

The percentage of people who contributed to their Fidelity IRA in Q1 2018 increased 14% over a year ago; among Millennials, IRA contributions increased even more.

A new analysis from Charles Schwab shows those with a written financial plan are much more likely to have a higher overall Modern Wealth Index score, be regular savers, and effectively manage their debt.

Chris Barlow, national director of defined contribution investments for BMO GAM, riffs on the results of a new “DC Conversations” industry assessment; among the top findings is a downward trend in deferral rates across all sectors since 2010.

While not a traditional topic for retirement specialist advisers to speak about, experts agree that student loan repayment benefits are a powerful boon to financial wellness programming—and a topic that financial advisers should learn more about. 

In a wide-ranging interview with PLANADVISER, DCIIA leaders Lew Minsky and Peg Knox outline their lead policy priorities for the remainder of 2018, including a focused push around “open MEPs.”

A new analysis published by MetLife examines employers’ and employees’ attitudes towards automation and its role in the workplace—including how changes in technology could impact compensation and the basic definition of what it means to work.

The Wells Fargo/Gallup Investor and Retirement Optimism Index remains at a 17-year high, despite a clear uptick in volatility, with the index at +139 in the first quarter; the firm’s head of retirement dissects the findings for PLANADVISER readers.

A new analysis out from Empower Retirement finds historical investment performance does not serve as an optimal overall measure of value delivered by a managed account; there is strong evidence to suggest “engaged participants” extract more value from managed accounts.

Health savings accounts are often described as the 401(k) of health care—so it is only natural that retirement specialist advisers can play an important role in educating the public about these important savings vehicles; survey data shows more education and advice is desperately needed. 

The firm says it does not have additional information to share at this juncture beyond what has been noted in a 2017 year-end SEC filing; in that newly emerged document, Wells Fargo Advisors says it has begun an internal investigation into “whether there have been inappropriate referrals or recommendations” made by its advisors, including with respect to rollovers for 401(k) plan participants.

The annual report from BlackRock offers quite a deep dive into the large 401(k) plan population; highlighting many well-known retirement industry trends, but also a few that are less well-observed.

Anne Ackerley, head of BlackRock’s defined contribution business, sat down last week with PLANADVISER to offer a sneak peek at the DCIO provider’s latest DC Pulse Survey; the data shows increased confidence among plan participants, while sponsors have emerging decumulation concerns.

According to data from CEM Benchmarking, defined benefit pensions have outperformed defined contribution plans by less than half a percentage point over the last decade—described as a “huge improvement” for DC plan sponsors.

Military members using an adviser report contributing nearly double the amount to their retirement accounts on average compared with those lacking regular financial guidance.

The new financial wellness program is designed to inspire, educate and encourage employees to make lasting financial behavior changes.

Josh Robbins, lead strategy officer for the direct-to-sponsor plan provider America’s Best 401K, offers a closer look at the virtues and potential weaknesses of the firm’s “disruptor” model and short sales cycle.

The interactive technology enables retirement advisers to demonstrate to plan sponsors how modifications in plan design can impact their employees’ retirement readiness, and the shifting cost of providing the plan for the employer.