401(k) Archives - Word on Benefits

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Expanding 401(k) Investment Choices With Alternative Asset Allocation Funds

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

16 Sep 202529 Sep 2025

An executive order signed in August may give 401(k) participants more access to investment strategies under which a portion of their contributions are allocated to alternative assets, offering them the opportunity to accumulate more money in their retirement accounts.

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits SECURE 2.0 U.S.

IRS Guidance on Qualified Student Loan Payment (QSLP) Match Programs

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

11 Sep 202423 Sep 2024

Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 allows employers to make matching contributions toward employees’ qualified student loan payments (QSLPs) to 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and governmental 457(b) plans (and SIMPLE IRAs plans not summarized in this blog). Internal Revenue […]

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits Retirement U.S.

Top Reasons for 401(k) Loans

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

04 Sep 202404 Sep 2024

Many 401(k) plans allow participants to take out loans from their individual 401(k) account. According to Employee Benefits Survey: 2024 Survey Report, 81% of corporate employer plans offered a 401(k) loan provision. While loan options provide flexibility for those tentative to contribute […]

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Educating DC Plan Participants for the Long Hike to Retirement

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS

16 Apr 202416 Apr 2024

Many years ago, I visited Grand Canyon National Park with my mom and aunt. It was unseasonably hot, but I wanted to walk down into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. My companions were not up for the hike, so I […]

Employee Benefits Retirement

SECURE 2.0 Act: Where Are We Now?

Amanda Wilke, CEBS

23 Jan 202423 Jan 2024

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) encompasses a number of changes affecting retirement plans that go into effect over the next few years. SECURE 2.0 aims to make it easier for employers to offer retirement plans and help employees plan […]

401(k) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Education (U.S.) Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

Matching Contributions for Qualified Student Loan Payments Under SECURE Act 2.0

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

31 Aug 202331 Aug 2023

With the federal student loan debt relief plan ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, more employers are expected to consider offering student loan repayment benefits (covered in Part 1) or retirement plan matching under the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022. The optional […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Legislative Regulatory Retirement SECURE 2.0 U.S.

SECURE 2.0 Act: A Breakdown of Ten Big Implications for Employers

Anne Patterson

31 Jan 202310 Mar 2023

The SECURE 2.0 Act was included in a 4,155-page omnibus spending bill that passed on December 23 when President Biden signed it into law. We broke down the law in the latest Talking Benefits podcast episode, focusing on major implications for plan […]

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Cryptocurrency Guidance for 401(k) Plan Fiduciaries

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

04 May 202204 May 2022

Last week, we shared five reasons why cryptocurrencies can present serious risks to 401(k) fiduciaries and participants. Since then, there has been some confusion about fiduciary duties when it comes to a cryptocurrency option that is fully integrated into a plan’s core […]

Employee Benefits

Five Reasons Why Cryptocurrencies Can Present Serious Risks to 401(k) Fiduciaries and Participants

Jenny Gartman, CEBS

28 Apr 202228 Apr 2022

On March 10, 2022, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released compliance guidance that cautions plan fiduciaries to exercise extreme care before they consider adding a cryptocurrency option to a 401(k) plan’s investment menu for plan participants. The guidance […]

401(k) Plans Defined Contribution (DC) Plans Employee Benefits Financial Education Financial Wellness Investments U.S.

The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: 10 DC Plan Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS

09 Feb 202209 Feb 2022

According to The Multiemployer Retirement Plan Landscape: A 15-Year Look (2004-2018), the average defined contribution (DC) plan account balance increased from increased from $18,300 at the end of 2004 to $42,300 at the end of 2018, while aggregate disbursements also grew. The […]