
15th Anniversary of RPAY: Joe Connell
Sign-up Here for the 2021 Top 100 Retirement Plan Adviser Process
Individuals and teams interested in being considered for PLANADVISER’s 2021 Top 100 Retirement Plan Adviser designation should complete our short registration form by Wednesday, September 9. This first step only takes a moment, so don't wait!
More Advisers Look for Co-Fiduciary Support from their B/Ds
A look at the results of the PLANADVISER Practice Benchmarking Survey between 2011 and 2019, showing some areas of significant evolution in the way advisers build and run their practices.
Broadridge Acquisition of Fi360 Underlines RIA Fiduciary Evolution
Leading up to its own acquisition by the larger Broadridge organization, Fi360 had been actively acquiring other fiduciary solutions firms, aiming to build a comprehensive suite of RIA services.
Reg BI Could Make It Easier for B/Ds to Compete With Retirement Plan Advisers
Experts say the new SEC rules could allow brokers to encroach into the traditional territory of advisers without having to meet the same fiduciary standard of care.
Half of Americans Believe All Advisers Must Act in Their Best Interest
Many do not know if their adviser is technically a broker/dealer or an adviser, Personal Capital learned in a survey.
Investor Advocacy Groups Question SEC Customer Relationship Summary Form
Noting that they believe a more viable customer relationship summary (CRS) form can still be developed by the SEC as part of its Regulation Best Interest proposal, a group of retiree and investor advocacy organizations has published a report calling the draft CRS form misleading and unhelpful.
Wagner Building Database for New Adviser Search Service
Advisers interested in participating are called on to submit info electronically.
With Litigation Rush, Fiduciary Insurance Adequacy Is Critical
States Start Knitting a Patchwork of Best Interest Fiduciary Regulations
With the judicial defeat of the Obama-era DOL fiduciary rule hanging in the air, individual states are moving to establish their own best interest regulations for the sale and service of investment products; attorneys warn that more piecemeal regulation is likely, as are lawsuits to test some complex ERISA preemption issues.
District Court Sides with Checksmart and Cetera in ERISA Fee Litigation
After siding with defendants and applying the shorter of two potential limitations periods, the district court decision states clearly that plaintiff’s claims are foreclosed by ERISA's three-year statute of limitations; the detailed decision tackles head-on a complex set of precedent-setting cases, including Tibble vs. Edison.
Mandate Issued by 5th Circuit to Officially Vacate DOL Fiduciary Rule
While the deadline had already technically passed for the DOL to appeal the circuit court ruling vacating its fiduciary rule reforms, this highly anticipated move by the court is truly the end of an era.
Cetera Debuts 401(k) Practice Development Program
It consists of six live, web-based training sessions conducted over a three-month period.
Benefit Consultants Relaunches AdvisorEdge Practice Management Platform
It offers advisers prospecting tools, plan management resources, including fiduciary support, and educational materials.
Reflections on a Dramatic Year for Retirement Plan Regulation
Breaking Down Fiduciary Uncertainty for Plan Sponsor Clients
Backing away from the topic of the DOL fiduciary rule, ERISA attorney Fred Reish focused his speech at the Plan Sponsor Council of America’s national conference on general compliance duties of ERISA plan sponsors; he noted that courts have applied what is called the “two hats” doctrine.
Attorneys General, Other Third-Parties Move to Revive DOL Fiduciary Rule in 5th Circuit
Anticipating the DOL will not itself ask the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a crucial mid-March panel ruling that vacated the Obama-era fiduciary rule expansion, attorneys general and retiree advocacy organizations are speaking out, asking the full appellate court to reassess its decision.
Pershing Reveals New DC Plan Oversight Tool
The solution is aimed at helping advisers and home offices realize better efficiencies and increase transparency in retirement plan management.
SEC Signals Start of Formal Broker Fiduciary Rule Examination
Nearly a month after an appellate court unexpectedly quashed the DOL fiduciary rule expansion, the Securities and Exchange Commission has announced a date and time for its first formal meeting on the topic.
With DOL Fiduciary Expansion Faltering, CFP Board Requires Best Interest Service
The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards has adopted a revised ethics code that requires a CFP professional to act as a fiduciary in all client service contexts, and therefore, to act in the best interests of the client at all times when providing financial advice.