401(k) Plans

The State of Defined Contribution Retirement Plans in 2021

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 […]

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

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 […]

SRI Investments in 401(k) Plans—Myths and Challenges for Plan Sponsors

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 […]

401(k) Hardship Withdrawals: No More Six-Month Contribution Suspensions

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 […]

Three Steps to Reduce Plan Costs and Improve Retirement Security

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 […]