A recent report notes that the average expense ratios that 401(k) plan participants pay have fallen for the seventh year in a row, while much of the controversy around the fiduciary regulation revolves around whether removing the conflicts of interest will raise or lower fees. What’s your sense –... READ MORE

Many people are still not taking all of the steps they should to prepare for retirement and are relying on uncertainties like receiving an inheritance in planning their retirement income funding, according to a recent survey by Natixis Global Asset Management.The nationwide survey found that 78% of... READ MORE

Steady growth in the adoption of Roth plans is anticipated by plan sponsors, given the feature’s tax diversification benefits, according to Vanguard’s How America Saves 2017 report.The percentage of Vanguard plans offering a Roth feature increased to 65% at year-end 2016, compared to 49% that ... READ MORE

In his latest blog post on the fiduciary regulation, Fred Reish examines the components of a “best interest” process.The first step of a best interest, or prudent process, is to determine the information that is “relevant” to making a decision that is “informed.” In other words, Reish explains,... READ MORE

Another investment manager has been sued by participants of its own 401(k) plan for what they said were “conflicted, disloyal, imprudent, and self-interested decisions.”This suit, brought by D’Ann Patterson against Capital Group (on behalf of herself and the 7,000+ participants and beneficiaries of... READ MORE

The vast majority of DC plan participants continued making contributions to their plans in 2016 and most “stayed the course” with their asset allocations, according to the latest findings of the Investment Company Institute’s recordkeeper survey.Consistent with activity in prior years, the... READ MORE

An excessive fee lawsuit that harkens back to the first wave of litigation more than a decade ago has finally been settled.The settlement (Waldbuesser v. Northrop Grumman Corp., C.D. Cal., No. 2:06-cv-06213-AB-JC, motion for settlement approval filed 6/12/17), agreed to by the parties, but still... READ MORE

Concerns about retirement and health care loom large for American workers and the U.S. Senate is reportedly close to its version of a health care reform bill. We need your help ASAP to tell Congress to make it easier for workers to manage their health and retirement savings.What’s the Issue?The tax... READ MORE

Another institution of higher learning – this one having been selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates to host more presidential and vice-presidential debates than any other institution in history – now finds itself sued for the practices of its 403(b) plan.The suit (Davis v. Wash. Univ.... READ MORE

Morgan Stanley has launched a sustainable investing e-learning education program directly to the desktops of each of its approximately 16,000 financial advisors.Morgan Stanley offers individual and institutional clients sustainable and impact investing solutions through its proprietary Investing... READ MORE

A new survey finds that a third of workers won’t be taking a vacation this year, and nearly as many say they stay connected with work during vacation. So, what plans do you have for vacation – and (how) will you be checking in?Actually, considering my vacation history, I’m surprised those numbers... READ MORE

Having lost its attempt to dismiss the charges, the broker-dealer has struck a settlement.The settlement in Fernandez v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (S.D. Fla., No. 1:15-cv-22782-MGC, motion for preliminary approval of class settlement filed 6/8/17) was reached after two years... READ MORE