Newsdash Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy from PLANSPONSOR
December 22nd, 2014
Benefits & Administration
Preparing Baby Boomer Workers for Retirement
Baby Boomers have good retirement savings habits, but accumulated savings may not be adequate. Seventy-one percent of Baby Boomer workers have access to a 401(k) or similar plan offered by their employers, including 78% who are working full-time and 42% part-time.Read more >
The Importance of Hiring a Skilled Plan Auditor
Generally, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requires employee benefit plans with 100 or more participants to have an audit as part of the obligation to file an annual return/report via the Form 5500 Series. A report from the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) explains that the plan administrator must hire an independent qualified public accountant to do the job. Read more >
Sponsored message from New York Life
PLANSPONSOR interviews Colette Sagar of New York Life Retirement Plan Services.Read more >
Products, Deals & People
A 2015 Defined Contribution Plan Checklist
With the economy continuing its slow but steady improvement, Mercer expects that plan sponsors will focus on leveraging their defined contribution (DC) plans to achieve a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent during 2015. Plan administration and governance will continue to be a focus of regulators from the Department of Labor, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Internal Revenue Service, Mercer predicts. There will also be pressure from new and ongoing participant lawsuits. To address these challenges, Mercer offers recommendations.Read more >
Economic Events
THE ECONOMIC WEEK AHEAD: Today, the National Association of Realtors will report about existing home sales for November. Tomorrow, the Census Bureau will report about durable goods orders and new home sales for November. Wednesday, the Labor Department will issue its initial claims report.
MOST READ ARTICLES
Benefits
UAW Members Ratify Contracts With Big 3 Automakers
Ask the Experts
Can a Plan Sponsor Limit Hardship Distributions?
Deals and People
Nomination Period Open for 2024 Plan Sponsor of the Year Awards
Market Mirror

Friday, the Dow was up 26.65 points (0.15%) at 17,804.80, the NASDAQ increased 16.98 points (0.36%) to 4,765.38, and the S&P 500 closed 9.42 points (0.46%) higher at 2,070.65. The Russell 2000 gained 3.78 points (0.32%) to finish at 1,195.94, and the Wilshire 5000 climbed 94.20 points (0.44%) to 21,727.50.

On the NYSE, 3.2 billion shares traded, with 1.8 advancing issues for every declining issue. On the NASDAQ, 2.8 billion shares changed hands, with a slight lead for advancers.

The yields for the 10-year Treasury note and 30-year Treasury bond were 2.165% and 2.755%, respectively.

WEEK’S WORTH: For the week ending December 19, the Dow increased 3.03%, the NASDAQ was up 2.40%, and the S&P 500 closed 3.41% higher. The Russell 2000 climbed 3.77%, and the Wilshire 5000 gained 3.42%.

Compliance
Regulators Increased Attention on In-Plan Annuities
With invigorated provider interest and new guidance from key regulators, 2014 turned out to be an important year for annuities in employer-sponsored retirement plans.Read more >
2014: The Year in Regulation and Guidance
Several regulations and pieces of guidance issued in 2014 will have a lasting impact on retirement plans.Read more >
Small Talk
ON THIS DATE: In 1775, the Continental Congress created a Continental Navy, naming Esek Hopkins, Esq., as commander in chief of the fleet. In 1808, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67—the “Fifth Symphony”—received its world premiere in Vienna. In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray, of his wife’s hand. In 1971, the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) defeated the Baltimore Bullets 127-120 in Baltimore for their 27th straight victory, breaking the previous record for the longest winning streak in professional sports.
SURVEY SAYS: Favorite Holiday Song
Last week, I asked NewsDash readers, what is your favorite holiday song? Readers could choose from a list or submit their own. Eighteen percent of responding readers chose their own, with the most popular choice Mary, Did You Know?, followed by All I Want for Christmas Is You. Carol of the Bells was the fourth most popular choice from the list, while The Christmas Song (“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire . . .”) and Silent Night tied for third place. In verbatim responses, readers shared irritation with how early holiday day songs start to play on the radio. Many shared how it was hard to choose just one favorite, and a few shared what songs they dislike. Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who snuck his or her favorite holiday movie pick into this year’s survey: “Here Comes Santa Claus is my favorite BECAUSE it plays such a clever place in my favorite holiday movie (Christmas Vacation)!” Thanks to everyone who participated in the survey!Read more >
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Editorial: Alison Cooke Mintzer alison.mintzer@strategic-i.com

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