401(k) Plans

SECURE Act Guidance: What DC Plan Sponsors Need to Know
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Wellness Regulatory Retirement U.S.

SECURE Act Guidance: What DC Plan Sponsors Need to Know
Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

Federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL), have been busy issuing guidance on some of the more complex provisions of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act since it was signed into law […]

Continue Reading....
Five Critical Retirement Planning Decisions You Need to Consider Today
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Financial Wellness Retirement U.S.

Five Critical Retirement Planning Decisions You Need to Consider Today
Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

Retirement planning is an important exercise for everyone. And when you have only a modest retirement nest egg, there is little room for error when planning for how to make those savings last. So what are the most important items for preretirees […]

Continue Reading....
The State of Defined Contribution Retirement Plans in 2021
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Employee Benefits Survey Financial Education Retirement U.S.

The State of Defined Contribution Retirement Plans in 2021
Justin Held, CEBS
 

The number of organizations offering defined contribution (DC) retirement plans has increased over the past two years, making them the primary retirement vehicle for an increasing share of the U.S. workforce. The International Foundation’s 2020 Employee Benefits Survey showed that 87% of […]

Continue Reading....
Organizations Face New Health and Retirement Benefit Implications Due to COVID-19
401(k) Plans Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Benefits Health Care Retirement U.S.

Organizations Face New Health and Retirement Benefit Implications Due to COVID-19
Anne Patterson
 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted employee benefits? The International Foundation has been tracking implications for workplaces across the country, providing a snapshot of the difficult decisions employers and their workers are making regarding their retirement and health care benefits. The latest […]

Continue Reading....
SRI Investments in 401(k) Plans—Myths and Challenges for Plan Sponsors
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Investments Retirement U.S.

SRI Investments in 401(k) Plans—Myths and Challenges for Plan Sponsors
Justin Held, CEBS
 

Despite growing demand for sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investments from participants, a small percentage of 401(k) plans provide such options in their investment menus. In a Benefits Magazine article from earlier this year, Gregory D. Wait, CEBS, reviews the challenges that […]

Continue Reading....
401(k) Hardship Withdrawals: No More Six-Month Contribution Suspensions
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Regulatory Retirement

401(k) Hardship Withdrawals: No More Six-Month Contribution Suspensions
Lois Gleason, CEBS
 

In September 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Treasury issued final regulations easing restrictions on hardship distributions from defined contribution retirement plans. While there were a number of important changes in the regulations, this blog focuses on changes regarding […]

Continue Reading....
Three Steps to Reduce Plan Costs and Improve Retirement Security
401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Investments Retirement

Three Steps to Reduce Plan Costs and Improve Retirement Security
Robbie Hartman, CEBS
 

Plan sponsors have long provided education on the magic of compound interest as a powerful force for retirement readiness. But most plan members—and even many plan sponsors—forget about the flip side of that coin: the long-term impact of compounding costs from investment […]

Continue Reading....