It’s true that when participants fully understand their retirement plans and options such as rollovers it can help them be more prepared for retirement. However, the communication that has garnered much attention recently is about financial wellness. Our columnist Michael Barry, president of October Three (O3) Plan Advisory Services LLC, predicts the future of the retirement plan industry will be about financial wellness. Fact is, employees will have a hard time saving for retirement if they don’t have their financial house in order. But, despite employers’ efforts, a study finds employee perceptions of financial wellness have not improved. Financial wellness programs need to be more personalized, and employee engagement with these programs needs to improve. Enjoy this edition of PLANSPONSOR Weekend!

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that passive funds would have resulted in better returns net of fees that the actively managed funds offered in the plan.

The lawsuit says the so-called “incentive” Yale offers for participating in the wellness program are in fact a “penalty” that violates non-participants’ right, and it notes that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) withdrew the incentive portions of its wellness program rules.

Some legislative proposals, such as the SECURE Act, may address challenges to retirement income adequacy women face, but there are also things retirement plan sponsors can do.

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

Advertising: Paul Zampitella paul.zampitella@strategic-i.com