Cybersecurity
A review of the questions plan sponsors can ask their providers and their teams, as they try to keep plans safe from cyber attacks.
Special Coverage
Plan Security Relies on Vetting 3rd-Party Providers
As third-party subcontractors continue to experience data breaches, plan sponsors must ensure they are asking the right questions about their...
Insider Threats: Are Disgruntled Employees a Cybersecurity Risk?
Limiting access, creating protocols aimed at keeping data safe can mitigate sabotage.
A Guide to Buying and Maintaining Cyberinsurance
Now more than ever, plan sponsors need to understand what types of coverage are available and what will fit them...
Public Sector Increasingly Relies on CISOs Amid Continued Digital Threats
According to a Deloitte-NASCIO survey, these executives are leading state and local governments’ responses to the constant threat of cyberattack.
Past Special Coverage
Small Plans
A review of the administrative, operational and cost choices small employers should be aware of when considering retirement plan options.
No Matter How Small, Businesses Have Retirement Plan Options
If small employers want to offer a retirement plan, they can start small and ‘graduate’ to more custom, tailored plans when the company grows.
Smaller Plans, Larger Costs
While 401(k) plan fees are a bigger ask for small plans, the savings benefits to participants still tend to be worth the price.
From Auto-IRAs to PEPs: How Small Employers Can Offer Retirement Savings
For some employers, offering a state-facilitated retirement plan is the best and easiest option, but for others, sponsoring their own plan or joining a PEP are more attractive.
Benefits
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The Case for State Auto-IRAs: ‘Simplest Avenue’ to Facilitate Retirement Savings
For the smallest of employers, offering a state auto-IRA program provides minimal administrative and fiduciary burdens.
Retirement Income
A review of the variety of different options and issues plan sponsors should consider when evaluating choices around retirement income.
Benefits
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How Sponsors Should Consider Different Lifetime Income Options
Sponsors have both legal and practical ramifications to weigh.
Benefits
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Managed Accounts Provide Opportunity, Challenges as a Retirement Income Solution
With their ability to provide personalized advice, managed accounts have become a more attractive retirement income solution, but the high fees attached to them continue to be a major criticism.
Understanding In-Plan Retirement Income Fees
Plan sponsors have a number of factors to consider when comparing investment, insurance and drawdown options for their participants.
Opinions
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The Golden Anniversary of ERISA: Celebrating Progress and Charting the Future of Retirement Security
As we mark the 50th anniversary of the law, it is an opportune moment to reflect on its profound impact on the American retirement landscape and consider the opportunities ahead.
Benefits
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Defaulting Into Managed Accounts Helped a Plan’s Older Participants Save for Retirement
The director of benefits at Wayne-Sanderson Farms shares how offering an in-plan managed account service helped its employees older than 50.
DC Plan Design
A review of how plan sponsors can use defined contribution plan design to help participants meet retirement goals.
Benefits
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Design Options: Building Strong Retirement Plans
Retirement plan designs that include features and investment options incorporating retirement income into defined contribution plans are a 'good starting point' but can be a ‘blunt force instrument approach.'
Benefits
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Providing Retirement Benefits Can Benefit Employers
Tax benefits and new credits aim to offset the cost of setting up new retirement plans and can be a ‘big win’ for plan sponsors.
Benefits
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Upcoming Trends in Plan Design: From the Perspective of a Retiring Plan Sponsor
Carl Gagnon, assistant vice president of global financial well-being and retirement programs at Unum Group, reflects on his tenure and provides insight into the future of plan design.
Optimizing Plan Design in the Investment Menu
Experts discuss the trends of streamlining the investment menu and adding lifetime income options
Opinions
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Encouraging Trends in 401(k) Plan Design
A review of topics plan sponsors should consider as they review their plans before the 2024 enrollment season.
LDI, PRT and Plan Termination
A review of the opportunities and risks to consider when deciding whether to continue offering and operating a defined benefit plan.
Benefits
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Now It Is About Protecting Healthy Funded Levels
Higher interest rates since 2022 have put corporate pension funds at their highest funding levels in many years, prompting plan sponsors to consider options to hold onto the gains and limit their risk.
Benefits
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Increased Litigation Around PRTs Brings Insurance Industry Practices to Light
As defined benefit plan sponsors look to de-risk and offload pension liabilities, the selection of annuity providers has come under increased scrutiny in recent lawsuits.
Investment Strategies are Among the PRT Alternatives
Plan sponsors can consider plan conversions, similar to what IBM has done, hibernation or different investment strategies to reduce risk without transferring it.
Benefits
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High Bond Yields Drive Increase in PRT Contracts
The rise in yields in recent years have not boosted the size of the contracts.
Opinions
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Why PBGC’s Flat-Rate Premiums Need to Drop
Lowering premiums might spur some organizations to consider offering a defined benefit plan, which could be an additional form of income in retirement.
DOL’s Late IB 95-1 Report Concludes More Time Is Needed
The long-awaited report makes no recommendations for changes.
Recruiting, Hiring and Training Plan Sponsors
What companies are doing to hire for their benefits teams, especially for the teams that run their retirement plans.
The Landscape at the Entry Level
Business-related degrees are important, but so are data management and soft skills.
Training Benefits Teams to Work with the Retirement Plan Looks Different for Every Organization
Staffers have varying degrees of experience with retirement plans, so providing training and education is vital when managing a benefits team.
Retaining Skilled Experts Requires Employer Flexibility
Implementing a phased approach to retirement and transitioning workers in a ‘flex-tirement’ paradigm helps employers to remain competitive and keep down hiring costs.
Dealing with Stress, Burnout in the HR, Benefits Department
With fatigue and exhaustion on the rise among HR leaders, plan sponsors are tasked with managing the stresses that their benefits teams face while also prioritizing the needs of their participants.