Category Archives: Retirement Plans

I’ve been in the retirement plan business for 27 years, and during that time, I’ve seen the best and the worst it has to offer. But without a doubt, the most despicable person I’ve encountered is Matt Hutcheson. Matt paraded … Continue reading →

After six long years of litigation, Intel’s 401(k) plan design just got a big legal endorsement. A three-judge panel from the Ninth Circuit dismissed a lawsuit filed by plan participants who claimed that including hedge funds and private equity in … Continue reading →

The Investment Company Institute (ICI) just confirmed what many of us have seen on the ground: 401(k) mutual fund fees keep dropping, and that’s great news for plan participants. According to ICI’s 2024 report, average equity mutual fund expense ratios … Continue reading →

The IRS just dropped Revenue Ruling 2025-15, and while it’s not revolutionary, it’s a reminder that when it comes to uncashed distribution checks, constructive receipt still rules the day. Here’s the deal: If a participant or beneficiary doesn’t cash their … Continue reading →

News that Principal has transitioned administration of its largest pooled employer plan (PEP), Principal EASE, to FuturePlan by Ascensus isn’t just a reshuffling of duties — it’s a smart move in a maturing market. Principal EASE serves a large base … Continue reading →

When I look back at my time as an employee, before I ran my own practice, before I was speaking in stadiums and calling the shots, I remember two kinds of people: the good ones and the bad ones. And … Continue reading →

itcoin has blown past $120,000 and, predictably, the buzz is back. Advisors are getting questions. Participants are curious. And yes, some plan sponsors are starting to wonder if it’s time to add crypto to their 401(k) investment lineup. Let me … Continue reading →

It’s not often you see the U.S. Department of Labor jumping into the legal ring to back plan sponsors, but when they do, you know something bigger is at stake than just one plan participant’s gripe. That’s exactly what happened … Continue reading →

For years, if you asked a 401(k) plan sponsor what their top concern was, you’d get a predictable answer: cost. Cutting expenses. Reducing fees. Pinching pennies. And it made sense. In a post-fee lawsuit world, with advisors and fiduciaries sweating … Continue reading →

When Congress passes sweeping retirement legislation, the details often come later—and those details usually come in the form of regulatory spaghetti that plan sponsors and administrators are left to untangle. Case in point: the Roth mandate under Section 603 of … Continue reading →