Category Archives: Retirement Plans

There are so many articles for plan sponsors (I’ve written quite a few) where they go on and on about what plan sponsors need for a successful 401(k) plan. Rather than go into a whole diatribe, here is a Reader’s … Continue reading →

A new report by research consultant Corporate Insight (CI) highlights that TIAA, Fidelity, and T. Rowe Price provide the best digital experiences among U.S. recordkeepers. The report, titled “DC Plan Sponsor Website Experience Benchmark,” evaluates the digital experiences of leading … Continue reading →

A rising number of plan participants are making early 401(k) hardship withdrawals. A report by Vanguard found that 4.8% of participants initiated a hardship withdrawal in 2024, which us up from 3.6% in 2023. What will happen in 2025? That … Continue reading →

ERISA requires disclosure of certain plan documents to participants including a summary plan description, statements, and notices. The problem is what do you do with people who aren’t participants such as potential employees? If you’re scared about providing an SPD … Continue reading →

I’ve been in the retirement plan business for 26 years and I’ve been through a few recessions in that time. There was the dot-bomb implosion, added by 9/11. Let us not forget when our entire financial system was on the … Continue reading →

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has decided not to dismiss a class action lawsuit against The Clorox Company and the employee benefits committee of The Clorox Company 401(k) Plan. The lawsuit claims that Clorox violated … Continue reading →

The average Self-Directed Brokerage Account (SDBA) 401(k) balance at Charles Schwab finished the fourth quarter of 2024 at $352,605, up by 13.6% since 2023, according to Charles Schwab’s latest SDBA Indicators Report. SDBAs at Schwab experienced a 1.5% increase from … Continue reading →

Former Angels pitcher and current Angels broadcaster Mark Langston will be the guest for our event in Anaheim at Angels Stadium on Thursday, June 5th. For just $100 or $50 each for multiple attendees from the same firm, you can … Continue reading →

The Senate approved President Trump’s nominee to be the next Secretary of Labor. Lori Chavez-DeRemer was approved by a vote of 67-32. Chavez-DeRemer was formerly a Representative for Oregon’s 5th District.

One of my favorite Yiddish words is “schnorrer.” While it means beggar or sponger, it essentially refers to a cheapskate who tries to get something for nothing. There is nothing wrong with potential clients negotiating fees to get a bargain. … Continue reading →