March 6th, 2025 Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday Data and Research Vanguard Sees All-Time High Deferral Rates, Plan Design Improvements in 2024 According to a preview of its ‘How America Saves’ report, Vanguard found that average account balances increased in 2024 and participants’ deferral rates are rising. Compliance Is Investment Performance a Fiduciary Duty? ERISA attorneys review what the law and a decade or more of case law require of plan sponsors. Most Read Compliance Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Simplify Form 5500 Reporting Benefits Plan Sponsors Warm Up to Super Catch-Up Benefits Retirement Account Balances Often 'Are Far Too Low' For a Secure Retirement MARKET MIRROR Wednesday, the Dow rose 485.60 points (1.14%) to close at 43,006.59, the Nasdaq rose 267.57 points (1.46%) to close at 18,552.73 and the S&P 500 rose 64.48 points (1.12%) to close at 5,842.63. The Russell 2000 rose 21.22 points (1.02%) to close at 2,100.75, and the FT Wilshire 5000 Index rose 665.63 points (1.15%) to close at 58,366.64. The 10-year Treasury note decreased 25/32, bringing the yield to 4.287%. The 30-year bond decreased 28/32, bringing the yield to 4.574%. Opinions Exploring Alternative Investment Vehicles in Employee-Sponsored Retirement Plans Options such as collective investment trusts and institutional separate accounts have gained traction in recent years. VIDEO PLANSPONSOR Roadmap: SECURE 2.0 – Catch-Up Provisions While plan sponsors now have the option to offer “super catch-up” contributions to their employees aged 60 to 63 under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, many employers and participants still have questions when it comes to implementing and administering this provision. Watch the video of the PLANSPONSOR Roadmap: SECURE 2.0 Livestream on catch-up contributions. SMALL TALK ON THIS DATE: In 1957, the Gold Coast, Northern Territories and British Togoland became the independent nation of Ghana, part of the British Commonwealth, led by Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah. In 1964, boxer Cassius Clay took the name Muhammad Ali, given to him by his spiritual mentor, Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam. In 1986, painter Georgia O’Keeffe—whose well-known works included large-format paintings of natural forms, especially flowers and bones—died at age 98. In 1981, journalist Walter Cronkite, known as “the most trusted man in America,” signed off as the longtime anchor of the “CBS Evening News.” In 2016, first lady and actress Nancy Reagan—the first lady during the 1981-89 administration of her husband, President Ronald Reagan, and his most trusted adviser and the most zealous protector of his reputation—died in Los Angeles.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get NEWSDash directly in your mailbox! Unsubscribe | Manage Subscriptions | Contact Us Copyright ©2026 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