February 27th, 2020 Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday Benefits As Health Costs Rise, Voluntary Benefits Promote Financial Wellness Employers can offer certain benefits that give employees peace of mind following a medical event. Opinions Now Is the Time: The Retirement Tier Peg Knox, Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA) discusses the “retirement tier,” which allows a DC plan sponsor to broaden the plan’s goal from accumulation to decumulation. Most Read Compliance DOL ESG Proposal Throws a Cloud Over Prior Guidance Compliance Lawsuit Says Plan Fiduciaries Should Have Chosen Less Expensive CITs Opinions COVID-19 Compliance Corner: IRS Expands CRD Eligibility and Clarifies Loan Rules Economic Events Sales of new single‐family houses in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 764,000, according to estimates released jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 7.9% above the revised December rate of 708,000 and is 18.6% above the January 2019 estimate of 644,000. Market Mirror Wednesday, the Dow decreased 123.77 points (0.46%) to 26,957.59, the NASDAQ was up 15.16 points (0.17%) at 8,980.78, and the S&P 500 was down 11.82 points (0.38%) at 3,116.39. The Russell 2000 lost 19.14 points (1.22%) to finish at 1,552.76, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 179.90 points (0.56%) lower at 31,741.79. The price of the 10-year Treasury note increased 2/32, bringing its yield down to 1.331%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond was up 1/32, decreasing its yield to 1.823%. Compliance Supreme Court Sides With Plaintiffs in Intel ERISA Challenge Testing ‘Actual Knowledge’ Expert attorneys say the ruling is significant for a variety of reasons—not least because it expands the potential liability plan sponsors face in fiduciary breach lawsuits. Transamerica Dismissed From the Singing River Health System DB Plan Saga A federal judge said the special fiduciary appointed to oversee the plan has sole authority to file lawsuits on behalf of the plan. Products ERISApedia Offers Plan Corrections eSource It addresses all the common and not-so-common retirement plan blunders and provides step-by-step instructions for making things right again. Empower Platform Integrates E*TRADE Stock Plan Insights Employees will gain a single sign-on experience between both platforms and will also have access to both customer service teams. Small Talk ON THIS DATE: In 1827, New Orleans held its first Mardi Gras celebration. In 1896, the “Charlotte Observer” published a picture of an X-ray photograph made by Dr. H.L. Smith. The photograph showed a perfect picture of all the bones of a hand and a bullet that Smith had placed between the third and fourth fingers in the palm. In 1922, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 19th Amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote. In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, limiting presidents to two terms. In 1974, “People” magazine was first issued by Time-Life. In 1980, “I Will Survive” won the first—and last—Grammy ever awarded for Best Disco Recording. In 1990, the Exxon Corporation and Exxon Shipping were indicted on five criminal counts in reference to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. SURVEY SAYS: The retirement industry is shifting focus from just accumulating savings to helping employees secure income in retirement. This week, I’d like to know, other than Social Security, do you have a source of guaranteed income for retirement? And what source of guaranteed income in retirement do you think is best? You may respond to this week survey by 6 p.m. Pacific time today. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get NEWSDash directly in your mailbox!

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