NewsDash – July 9, 2025

July 9th, 2025
Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday

Investing

Empower Responds to Warren, Urging Private Markets Inclusion in 401(k)s

The asset classes should be available to retirees to help with the ‘democratization of private investing,’ the company stated.

Benefits

Defaulting Some DC Plan Assets Into Annuities Could Improve Income in Retirement

Three academics explored a guaranteed payout path involving defaulting retirement assets into annuities.

Most Read

Data and Research
Employers Buckle Down on Pharmacy, Medical Costs

Compliance
8th Circuit Tosses Wells Fargo Forfeiture Complaint on Lack of Standing

Compliance
DOL Eases Enforcement of New Rules for Paper Benefit Statements

MARKET MIRROR

Tuesday the Dow fell 165.60 (0.37%) to close at 44,240.76, the Nasdaq rose 5.95 (0.03%) to close at 20,418.46 and the S&P 500 fell 4.46 (0.07%) to close at 6,225.52. The Russell 2000 rose 14.51 (0.66%) to close at 2,228.74 and the FT Wilshire 5000 Index fell 25.68 (0.04%) to close at 62,238.92.

The 10-year Treasury note fell 2/32, bringing the yield to 4.409%. The 30-year Treasury bond fell 1/32, bringing the yield to 4.929%.

Benefits

Retirement Relief Available Amid Texas Floods

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration, clearing the way for assistance.

Ask the Experts

Must a New 403(b) Plan Have Automatic Enrollment?

Experts from Groom Law Group and CAPTRUST answer questions concerning retirement plan administration and regulations.

SMALL TALK

ON THIS DATE: In 1762, Catherine the Great overthrew Peter III and began her reign as empress of Russia, leading her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe and extending Russian territory. In 1816, the Congress of Tucumán declared Argentina’s independence from Spain. In 1850, Zachary Taylor, 12th president of the U.S., died only 16 months after taking office. In 1960, the Thresher, the first of a class of U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarines, was launched; it sank in 1963 in the worst submarine accident in history. In 2001, the British TV series “The Office,” created and written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, debuted and became a huge hit, spawning a popular American version and making Gervais a star. In 2002, fearing that there would not be enough eligible players to continue, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig stopped the annual All-Star Game in the 11th inning with the score tied at 7–7. In 2011, South Sudan declared its independence after a referendum to secede from Sudan passed overwhelmingly. In 2019, businessman and politician Ross Perot— who ran for U.S. president as an independent in 1992, receiving some 19% of the popular vote—died at age 89.

Industry Intel Roundup—Featured White Paper

PLANSPONSOR is pleased to present the next edition of our Industry Intelligence roundup. This week, we are featuring white papers offering key insights and analysis about the industry. The content was created to educate, inform and offer ideas for plan sponsors regarding plan design, investing, administration and compliance.