President Trump signed legislation on Oct 6, 2017, that allows broker-dealers to publish public research reports on exchange-traded funds.The Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017 (S. 327), sponsored by Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), directs the SEC to establish a safe harbor for research... READ MORE

Thought leadership, especially when focused on how to increase client satisfaction or generate retirement income, is a “big differentiator” when it comes to developing targeted and successful communication strategies directed at financial advisors (FAs), according to a new study.Other key... READ MORE

Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans are once again emerging as a critical plan design opportunity – and one on which a growing number of advisors are focused. This week, we’d like to know if NQDC designs are in your portfolio.NQDC plans come in a variety of formats and designs: account... READ MORE

In July, Pew Charitable Trusts issued a report on employer perspectives on the barriers to offering retirement plans; now, the organization has a new report on worker perspectives on barriers to saving and the results suggest, not surprisingly, that access to an employer-sponsored plan is key.The ... READ MORE

One of the fiduciary regulation’s most ardent supporters has expressed both concerns – and skepticism - that brokerage firms are shifting investors into account structures that result in higher costs.The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) this week wrote to Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta,... READ MORE

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton reiterated on Oct. 4 that he is “focused on the standards of conduct” for investment professionals. He made his remarks in testimony before the House Financial Services Committee concerning the SEC’s agenda, operation and budget.Clayton’s... READ MORE

While employees continue to invest in their company’s stock, more are choosing to invest through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) instead of buying company stock through their 401(k), according to a recent analysis.Fidelity Investments found that the percentage of employees with company stock... READ MORE

Think of all the articles that have been published this year. What do you think are the top-trending retirement plan words?This is important for retirement plan advisors to know about because plan sponsors are searching the internet for these specific words. By updating your website with key search... READ MORE

Citing the rulings in a number of other university 403(b) suits, a federal district court has weighed in on the issues in a case involving Johns Hopkins University.The suit, brought against the plan fiduciaries of Johns Hopkins’ $4.3 billion plan (as of 2014) a little more than a year ago by the... READ MORE

While many are likely aware that the Best Interest Contract Exemption (BICE) requires satisfaction of three impartial conduct standards, there is a fourth, less well known requirement.In his most recent blog post concerning the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule and exemptions, ERISA attorney... READ MORE

To help plan sponsors insure their employees’ data is protected within their retirement plan, new industry best practices for how recordkeepers should report their cybersecurity capabilities to plan sponsors and plan consultants have been developed by the SPARK Institute.“For years plan sponsors... READ MORE