February 16th, 2022 Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday Benefits Lessons Learned From Public Employee Financial Wellness Programs Employers that were part of an initiative to start or improve their programs—using a wide variety of approaches—shared challenges, surprises, rewards and advice. Opinions Key Considerations for the DOL’s Proposed Rule Regarding ESG Lew Minsky, of DCIIA, offers four considerations for the Department of Labor’s rule about including environmental, social and governance factors in the evaluation of retirement plan investments. Most Read Benefits Social Security COLA Increase to Add About $50 per Month in 2025 Administration Many Taxpayers Dodged Penalty Tax for Early Retirement Withdrawals Administration Bills to Ban Arbitration Clauses Reappear in House, Senate Economic Events The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 1.0 percent in January, as prices for final demand services rose 0.7 percent, and the index for final demand goods moved up 1.3 percent. Final demand prices advanced 9.7 percent for the 12 months ended January 2022. Market Mirror Tuesday, the Dow gained 422.67 points (1.22%) to finish at 34,988.84, the Nasdaq closed 348.84 points (2.53%) higher at 14,139.76, and the S&P 500 increased 69.40 points (1.58%) to 4,471.07. The Russell 2000 was up 55.67 points (2.76%) at 2,076.46, and the Wilshire 5000 climbed 807.87 points (1.82%) to 45,297.96. The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 6/32, increasing its yield to 2.049%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond decreased 1 27/32, bringing its yield up to 2.360%. Ask the Experts Excluding Employees From Mandatory and Employer 403(b) Contributions “We are a private university that sponsors an ERISA 403(b) plan with a base employer contribution and an employee mandatory contribution. We want to create a new class of employees that is not eligible for the employer contribution and would not be required to make the mandatory contribution. However, our recordkeeper is insistent that we cannot do that due to universal availability rules. Is that correct?” Compliance Default Lifetime Income Legislation Introduced in House Legislators say the LIFE Act builds upon the SECURE Act provision that enhanced the safe harbor on which plan sponsors rely when choosing an annuity provider. Small Talk ON THIS DATE: In 1857, the National Deaf Mute College was incorporated in Washington, D.C. It was the first school in the world for advanced education of the deaf. The school was later renamed Gallaudet College. In 1923, in Thebes, Egypt, English archaeologist Howard Carter entered the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen. In 1938, the U.S. Federal Crop Insurance program was authorized. In 1968, in the U.S., the first 911 emergency telephone system was inaugurated in Haleyville, Alabama. In 1970, Joe Frazier began his reign as the undefeated heavyweight world champion when he knocked out Jimmy Ellis in five rounds. In 1972, Wilt Chamberlain (Los Angeles Lakers) reached the 30,000-point mark in his NBA career during a game against the Phoenix Suns. In 1984, Bill Johnson became the first American man to win an Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing, a sport long dominated by European athletes. In 2005, the NHL announced the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season due to a labor dispute. It was the first time a major sports league in North America lost an entire season to a labor dispute. WEDNESDAY WISDOM: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.”—Ernest Hemingway, American novelist Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get NEWSDash directly in your mailbox! Unsubscribe | Manage Subscriptions | Contact Us Copyright ©2024 Asset International, Inc. All rights reserved. No reproduction without prior authorization. Modern Slavery Statement 2022 | Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Privacy (including cookies), Social Media & Legal 702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850