Cover
Harvesting The Right Facts and Figures
In this age of ‘big data,’ sponsors have the analytic tools at hand to make more informed decisions.
MAGAZINE ARCHIVE
PLANSPONSOR September 2017
Insights
Inside Assumptions
In my last column (“Taking Responsibility,” PLANSPONSOR, July/August 2017), I wrote about the challenges our industry faces when narratives take hold that aren’t entirely true. My focus in that...
Gaining Insight
Everything we do today can be measured. For instance, I’m able to count the steps I take each day toward my fitness goal. But more importantly, I can take...
Survey Says
Annuities And Lifetime Retirement Income
Concerns about ensuring lifetime retirement income for employees have increased substantially over the years. We asked NewsDash readers, “Do you own an annuity, and do you think individuals can...
Loan Repayment Capabilities
Spotlighting industry data from PLANSPONSOR’s proprietary research
Future Flows of DC Assets
There has been growing industry discussion about flows in and out of retirement plans and how the impending retirement of Baby Boomers will drain dollars from defined contribution (DC)...
2017 Target Date Fund Buyer’s Guide
The current role of strategic vs. tactical asset allocation in target-date funds.
Compliance Update
Compliance Update
Summaries of the latest news from Washington and the courts—what’s coming, what’s contemplated and what’s critical for plan sponsors to know
Sponsors Must Actively Manage The Aging Work Force
A national survey found nearly seven in 10 plan sponsors believe most employees at their company could work until age 65 and still not have enough to meet their retirement needs.
Nonproprietary TDFs Gain Attention
Larger plans are taking the lead in moving away from proprietary TDFs, and research shows plan sponsors are also moving to CIT TDFs.
More Sponsors Turn To Cash Balance Plans
Small business continues driving cash balance growth, with 92% of cash balance plans in place at firms with fewer than 100 employees, research from Kravitz finds.
UpFront
Cost Factors When Freezing Your Plan
Just because a plan is frozen, doesn’t mean fees will go away altogether.
UpFront
Helping With College Debt and Savings
Eighty percent of respondents from an IonTuition survey said they would like to work for a company that offers student loan repayment benefits, a 10% increase from 2015 findings.
Many Miss Out On the Full Company Match
Best-in-class plan design in addition to financial wellness programs can get retirement plan participants to maximize their savings opportunity.
Education Against Hardship Withdrawals
This time of year is a peak time for hardship withdrawal requests, providers say, and call center staff and provider websites can help educate participants about implications and other options.
TDF Fixed-Income Exposure
Greater exposure to higher-yielding corporate bonds can notably dampen a fixed-income allocation’s diversification benefits to equity investments.
Plan Sponsors’ Fear vs. Participants’ Favor
Worried about participant pushback?
Running the Fund
Rothification of DC Plans
Sponsors say this step would deter participation and lower savings rates.
Total Benefits
Allocating Benefit Dollars
Finding a balance when funding health and retirement plans.
Fiduciary Management Model
A plan sponsor is able to address its overall investment objectives