Category Archives: Retirement Plans

In the world of retirement plans, some stories feel like déjà vu with a fresh set of dollar signs. The latest lawsuit filed by former participant Brian Byrne against TIAA and its associated retirement plans is no exception. But beneath … Continue reading →

When I was at American University Washington College of Law, the dean at the time was a man named Claudio Grossman. He was from Chile and seemed to carry that fact around like a passport that needed stamping at every … Continue reading →

ERISA is filled with traps for the unwary. Some are complex, hiding in layers of regulatory nuance. Others are deceptively simple—like plan forfeitures. Yes, I’m talking about those dollars left behind when participants fail to vest in employer contributions. Easy … Continue reading →

The 401(k) match has long been one of the most powerful tools for building retirement savings. It’s the “free money” we’ve all been trained to chase—and advise our clients to chase. So when Fidelity, Schwab, and others start finding new, … Continue reading →

I was never going to be the guy—the one people rallied around, the golden child, the anointed one. I wasn’t the star quarterback of anyone’s career fantasy draft. More often than not, I was the last pick in the schoolyard … Continue reading →

If you’ve worked in the retirement plan industry long enough, you’ve had that moment — that gut punch — where you know you’re the best person for the job, but the gig goes to someone else. Someone who isn’t as … Continue reading →

In this business—the retirement plan business, the ERISA world—you don’t build anything alone. You might draft the documents, run the meetings, fix the failures, and chase the clients, but if you’re lucky, a few people walk the road with you. … Continue reading →

I’ve been working with organizations—political, civic, religious, and business—since my days at Stony Brook, back when I was involved with student political groups and the school paper. I’ve written ad copy, designed flyers, and helped companies craft their messaging. And … Continue reading →

When it comes to your health, there are signs—little warnings your body gives you—that something might be off. You don’t ignore chest pain, blurry vision, or persistent fatigue (at least, you shouldn’t). The same is true with your company’s 401(k) … Continue reading →

When I draft a new 401(k) plan for a client, one of the first provisions I’ll recommend—including with some reluctance—is a loan feature. Not because I enjoy dealing with it. On the contrary, it’s an administrative pain. But because I … Continue reading →