Week ending August 30th, 2019

Legislation, regulations and industry trends help retirement plan sponsors in designing their plans. However, even the most well-intentioned plan designs may have unintended consequences. And, if participants don’t understand how retirement plans work, it could adversely affect their savings behaviors. In this edition of PLANSPONSOR Weekend, we share 10 key design principles for defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors. For defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors, there are strategies to reduce Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums. And for public DB plan sponsors, a case study from Maine reveals how to turn around a troubled public pension system. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Editor's choice

Administration

Plan Sponsors Should Watch for Unintended Consequences of Defaults

A research paper warns that changing to a default fund that is preferred by more employees may lead people to be less well-prepared for retirement.Read more >

Administration

Misunderstanding Retirement Plans Affects Participant Savings Behavior

Research reports find a large proportion of employees don’t understand their retirement benefits—with some not even realizing they are participating—and better communication is needed to help participants take the best savings actions.Read more >

Administration

A New Way of Thinking About Retirement ‘Plans’

Mike Sasso, with Portfolio Evaluations, and a professor at Boston University, explained a new way of thinking to get plan sponsors to focus on retirement income for participants.Read more >

Administration

Pragmatic Strategies to Reduce PBGC Premiums This Year

Pension plan sponsors have taken various actions to reduce their PBGC premiums in the last year, resulting in a decline in premiums paid in 2018 of $1.2 billion.Read more >

Administration

MainePERS Has Some Suggestions for Struggling Public Pensions

The plan’s history offers a case study for how to turn around a troubled public pension system after years of neglect; the system at one point was no better than 20% funded.Read more >

MOST POPULAR STORIES

Heroes Act Now In the Hands of a Skeptical Senate

The Heroes Act, passed by a narrow majority in the House, includes union pension partition relief and a waiver for the reinvestment of 2019 and 2020 RMDs.

Final Electronic Disclosure Rule Published by DOL

The leadership at the regulator says this measure will reduce printing, mailing and related plan costs by an estimated $3.2 billion over the next decade.

Share Class Issues Cited in ManTech ERISA Lawsuit

The new complaint closely resembles others that have been filed by the Capozzi Adler P.C. law firm.

Employers Are Beefing Up Financial Wellness Programs

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed workers’ need for financial coaching and for employers to offer resources.

Advancing DC Plan Design

Many features are working to help DC plan participants grow their savings, so it’s time to look at investments for the next element of design evolution.

Editorial: Alison Cooke Mintzer alison.mintzer@strategic-i.com

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