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It’s that time of year—rest, reflection, and a look back at the big retirement stories (most clicked) that got your attention. I’ll warn readers now that the MOST clicked story absolutely blew away the others and was far, far ahead of the No. 2 spot in terms of pageviews. We’ll save that for Part... READ MORE
For those looking for an official analysis and explanation of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, Congress’ Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) has just posted a helpful resource. Prepared by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation in consultation with the staffs of the House Committee on Ways and... READ MORE
Generation Z—the youngest generation in the workforce—may also be the most interesting regarding retirement and preparing for it. Studies reveal a mix—cacophony?—of behaviors and attitudes among its members that suggest it is a group that may be receptive to a range of approaches in working to... READ MORE
The IRS has issued a reminder that people born before 1951 need to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from funds held in IRAs and other retirement plans by the end of the year. And in so doing, it provides an opportunity to remind participants as well as clients whose participants may be... READ MORE
  A report by The Pew Charitable Trusts released on Dec. 22 revealed that state automated savings programs in the United States have collectively reached over $1 billion in assets as of November. This development is part of a broader initiative to assist private sector workers, especially those... READ MORE
On December 20, the IRS released the long-awaited SECURE 2.0 guidance (a/k/a the “Grab Bag”) in the form of Notice 2024-02.  The notice is 81 pages of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on various SECURE 2.0 provisions. As expected, there was no guidance related to student loan matching, pension... READ MORE
A brand new year awaits us – and with the New Year comes an opportunity to assess and reassess – for some when, resolutions for the cessation of bad behaviors and the beginning of better ones are in vogue. Here are some for plan fiduciaries for 2024 – that could benefit plan outcomes for years to... READ MORE
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published the unofficial transcripts of its online hearing on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary” and related proposed prohibited... READ MORE
If ever there was a Groundhog Day movie moment, this might be it, as battles over implementing a new fiduciary advice rule and confirming a labor secretary continued this week. The latest salvo comes from a powerful group of Republican senators who on Dec. 18 wrote to Acting Labor Secretary Julie... READ MORE
A new study finds that two-thirds of people are confident they will be able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement, but diving deeper into the data shows that sentiment varies dramatically across demographic segments. Overall, roughly 1 in 4 Americans (24%) strongly agree they are... READ MORE
The IRS on Dec. 20 issued the 2023 cumulative list of changes in plan qualification requirements for pre-approved defined contribution (DC) plans. The changes are contained in Notice 2024-03. The 2023 Cumulative List is intended to assist providers applying to the IRS for opinion letters for the... READ MORE
Well, here we are again at the end of yet another—albeit shortened—workweek…and yet, there’s (still) no shortage of…well, just look at what happened to these guys and gals… The Worst National Park Reviews of the Year, including classics like “There was nothing to do, I didn’t see a bear, and that... READ MORE
Do you feel that a lack of a solid online presence costs you clients? You’re not alone It started with a recent LinkedIn alert. I hadn’t talked to this guy in about a year, and he hit me up: “Hey Spencer, business is going great, but I’ve realized that I never spend time building my personal brand... READ MORE
The Internal Revenue Service has just released new guidance in the form of questions and answers addressing several key provisions contained in the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. The IRS advises that the notice (Notice 2024-02) is not intended to provide comprehensive guidance as to the specific... READ MORE
While participation rates in 401(k) plans dropped in 2022, participation rates increased in 403(b) plans in the same time frame to a record high, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America’s (PSCA) 2023 403(b) survey. PSCA is part of the American Retirement Association. The survey,... READ MORE
In a preemptive move to protect financial markets and the retirement savings system from being unfairly manipulated by AI-generated content, a bipartisan pair of senators introduced legislation to address the potential threats. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Kennedy (R-LA)—both members of the... READ MORE
Another major industry acquisition was announced on Wednesday with news that Aon will buy NFP. Aon will pay $13.4 billion ($7 billion in cash and $6.4 billion in stock). The acquisition reportedly expands Aon's reach in the large and middle-market risk, benefits, wealth, and retirement plan... READ MORE
ERISA consultants at the Retirement Learning Center (RLC) Resource Desk regularly receive calls from financial advisors on a broad array of technical topics related to IRAs, qualified retirement plans and other types of retirement savings and income plans, including nonqualified plans, stock... READ MORE
A new suit claims that the interest rates paid on Merrill Edge retirement accounts have lagged market trends and fallen short of the “reasonable” rates they claim to provide. The suit was brought by one Margaret McCrary, who has filed a class action suit for breach of contract on behalf of herself... READ MORE
The retirement market presents an “underappreciated” growth opportunity for advisors who are not necessarily retirement specialists, according to a new study that looks at key trends shaping the future of financial advice in 2024. Drawn from research published by Envestnet’s Market Intelligence... READ MORE
Retirement and benefits administration service provider BPAS announced that its AutoRollovers service has joined with the SS&C Technologies’ Automatic Rollover Program (ARP) to enhance retirement plan servicing.   The collaboration between BPAS AutoRollovers and SS&C's ARP aims to simplify... READ MORE
“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout…” Those are, of course, the opening lyrics to that holiday classic, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” And while the tune is jaunty enough, the message—that there’s some kind of elfin “eye in the sky” keeping tabs on us—has always struck... READ MORE
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is concerned about the ability of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) to exercise oversight and protect the integrity of benefit plans, particularly concerning audits. The OIG for the U.S. Department of Labor... READ MORE
The Labor Department says a federal judge mis-instructed the jury on the burden of proof in an excessive fee suit—and wants them to get another hearing. The suit against Yale University was one of the first to be filed in this area—and by Schlichter Bogard & Denton LLP (now just Schlichter... READ MORE
Even though a recession never materialized, 2023 ended up being a challenging year for investors with the Fed calling the shots, Bob Doll observes in looking back on his 2023 predictions. As things currently stand, he will have achieved just 5 out of 10 correct predictions for 2023, which he notes... READ MORE

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