SURVEY SAYS: How’s the Weather at Work?
We recently covered a survey in which top management said a sense of humor is important in the workplace.
Voices
Opinions |
Barry’s Pickings Online: Roth-only?
Michael Barry, president of the Plan Advisory Services Group, shares his thoughts about lawmakers’ consideration of making the current pre-tax retirement savings system an after-tax system.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – What Are 410(b) and 401(a)(4) Tests?
“We recently established an ERISA 403(b) plan with both a base (discretionary) and a matching contribution at a newly created tax-exempt entity at which I work.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – When to Expect 403(b) Pre-Approved Plans
“I’ve been reading about the remedial amendment period for 403(b) plan documents. Does this mean that pre-approved 403(b) plans will be available for use soon?”
SURVEY SAYS: Common Questions From Plan Participants
Retirement plan sponsors have reported in the past receiving common, repeated questions from plan participants—such as ‘How does the plan work?’ ‘How much should I save?’ and ‘What...
(b)lines Ask the Experts – Can Church 401(k) Plans Be Merged With 403(b) Plans?
“I read your Ask the Experts column regarding 403(a) plan mergers and you made brief mention of the fact that church 401(a) and 403(b) plans could be merged....
SURVEY SAYS: Interaction Between Sleep and Work
We covered a survey that found many employees say thinking about work keeps them up at night.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – Can Churches Sponsor 457 Plans?
“I recently started working with a religious entity that sponsors a 457(b) plan. I thought that churches couldn’t sponsor 457(b) plans? Am I incorrect?”
(b)lines Ask the Experts – What If the Last Day of the Plan Year Falls on a...
“We are a 501(c)(3) organization that encountered a year-end retirement plan issue that is new to us; hopefully it is not new to the Experts!
SURVEY SAYS: Tooth Fairy Payouts
Reviewing findings from a recent poll, I was shocked to learn that the average amount a child gets for losing a tooth is almost $5.
Opinions |
Barry’s Pickings Online: Taxing the Low-Paid in the Name of Retirement Security
Michael Barry, president of the Plan Advisory Services Group, discusses how the taxation on early withdrawals from retirement plans hurts retirement security for low-paid participants.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – Rolling from a 403(b) Plan to a 401(a) Plan
“We are a large controlled group with some entities eligible to sponsor a 403(b) plan, and some not.
SURVEY SAYS: Most-Anticipated Daily Activity
Every day I look forward to the evenings when I can spend time reading or watching a good show.
Opinions |
Keeping All Options Available for Higher Education Retirees
Choice and annuities are critical components of retirement plans for higher education employees, argues Larry Edward Penley, Ph.D., president of Penley Consulting, LLC.
SURVEY SAYS: Loving Your Job
A recent study found that for some workers, the ‘honeymoon’ is over after the first year of work.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – What Is ‘Includible Compensation’?
“I noticed in a recent Ask the Experts column you mentioned a special ‘includible compensation’ definition that was unique to 403(b) plans.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – Payroll Versus ACH Deductions for Loan Repayments
“Do the Experts have a preference between payroll deduction or automatic checking account deductions (ACH) for loan repayments?”
Opinions |
An Effective DC Plan for Uncovered Workers: The Flex MMM Model
Prof. Robert C. Merton and Dr. Arun S. Muralidhar propose a model for the design of state-run retirement plans.
(b)lines Ask the Experts – 3401(a) Definition of Compensation
“Our recordkeeper-provided documents for our 403(b) plan states that we should be using a ‘3401(a)’ definition of compensation.