October 31st, 2019 Insight on Plan Design & Investment Strategy Every Weekday Benefits Employers Recognize Need to Reduce Health Benefit Costs for Employees Many are turning to innovative tech-enabled programs that cut costs for them while not shifting costs to employees, Mercer found. Products Fidelity’s New Retirement Income Solution Avoids Guarantees While there is significant interest being voiced among policymakers and plan sponsors about in-plan annuities, providers are favoring retirement income innovations that don’t involve guarantees. Most Read 1 Getting SECURE Act’s Lifetime Income Provisions Right 2 2020 Best in Class 401(k) Plans 3 IRS Announces 2020 Contribution and Benefit Limits 4 Why Nonprofits May Prefer a 403(b) Plan Over a 401(k) 5 2020 ERISA Plan Compliance Calendar SPONSORED BY: Optum Bank Is financially preparing for a chronic condition possible? To understand consumers’ needs and concerns about health saving and spending related to managing chronic care conditions, Optum Bank® conducted qualitative research with patients and caregivers who are currently dealing with a range of chronic conditions. Market Mirror Wednesday, the Dow gained 115.27 points (0.43%) to finish at 27,186.69, the NASDAQ closed 27.12 points (0.33%) higher at 8,303.98, and the S&P 500 increased 9.88 points (0.33%) to 3,046.77. The Russell 2000 was down 4.23 points (0.27%) at 1,572.85, and the Wilshire 5000 was up 84.24 points (0.27%) at 31,063.00. The price of the 10-year Treasury note was up 6/32, decreasing its yield to 1.776%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond increased 1 6/32, bringing its yield down to 2.261%. Compliance Plaintiffs Left With Only One Claim in CenturyLink ERISA Case CenturyLink seems to be off the hook regarding a specific fund offered in its 401(k), but its investment management company still faces litigation. California Requires Additional Notices for FSAs A new law, effective on January 1, provides that all employers sponsoring FSA plans must provide notice to participants of deadlines to withdraw funds. ERISA Examination ‘Compensation’ as a Plan Term What sponsors include, or exclude, can lead to big problems. SPONSORED BY: Ayco Ayco’s 2019 Executive Benefits Survey A benchmark of Corporate America’s executive benefits and perquisites landscape from a third of the S&P 100. Small Talk ON THIS DATE: In 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace Church. The event marked the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany. In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state to join the U.S. In 1926, magician Harry Houdini died of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix. His appendix had been damaged twelve days earlier when he had been punched in the stomach by a student. During a lecture Houdini had commented on the strength of his stomach muscles and their ability to withstand hard blows. In 1941, Mount Rushmore was declared complete after 14 years of work. At the time the 60-foot busts of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were finished. In 1950, 21-year-old Earl Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game when he took the court in the season opener for the Washington Capitols. In 1956, Rear Admiral G.J. Dufek became the first person to land an airplane at the South Pole. Dufek also became the first person to set foot on the South Pole. In 2001, Microsoft and the U.S. Justice Department reached a tentative agreement to settle the antitrust case against the software company. SURVEY SAYS: What do you think about your company’s performance appraisal process? Did someone forward you this newsletter? Sign up here to get NEWSDash directly in your mailbox!

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