Author Archives: admin

As an ERISA attorney who drafts plan documents at a flat fee, my biggest competitors are not other ERISA attorneys, but third-party administration (TPA) firms. Plan documents are just another service that TPAs can provide and they can provide it … Continue reading →

If you read my writings, you know that fiduciary liability is one of the plan sponsor’s more important concerns as a plan fiduciary. Since participant-directed plans under ERISA §404(c) are supposed to limit a plan sponsor’s liability, I have consistently … Continue reading →

I’ve watched Survivor since it first started about 23 years ago and I never tried out for the show. I’m unathletic and I can’t swim, I’d be the first one voted off. I’m also on the path of least resistance, … Continue reading →

When I first heard about ERISA §3(38) fiduciaries, I was a lowly law firm associate and I saw that it was going to be a growth area for advisors. According to PLANADVISER’s most recent survey about 15% of Defined Contributions … Continue reading →

I have a client who is a third-party administrator and it appears that a former employee put them in a bind by giving some truly awful advice to a client. The advice was that the plan sponsor could make a … Continue reading →

I always say a retirement plan provider needs to find its niche to stand out in the retirement plan marketplace. A new firm, Annuity Research & Consulting, has been created to help 401(k) retirement plan sponsors and their record keepers … Continue reading →

Minnesota is slated to become the next to adopt a measure creating a state-run retirement program that provides coverage for private-sector employees whose employers do not. The state Senate approved the bill in a 34-33 vote. The House passed it in a 71-60 vote. The … Continue reading →

Some disturbing projections came out of a Pew study on retirement plan savings. The new research from Pew has found America’s retirement savings gap could create a $1.3 trillion economic burden through 2040. The Pew study says as many as … Continue reading →

Vestwell announced new industry partnerships and integrations to help advisors. Vestwell was selected to support J.P. Morgan expand their recordkeeping options and help with Everyday 401(k), Chase’s small business 401(k) workplace savings platform. Vestwell also expanded its distribution partnerships with leading advisory firms, including Commonwealth Financial Network and … Continue reading →

As the time owning my house is coming to an end, my wife and I are embarking on one last project: renovating a patio that should have been replaced when we bought the house 18 years ago. Trying to not … Continue reading →