Americans whose parents set good financial examples are more likely to be among the 62% of Americans who have a financial plan and feel confident in their financial future, a new Genworth survey finds. One important factor: We learn our financial feelings, attitudes and behaviors from our parents... READ MORE

Will 401(k) plans become an important market for private equity and buyout firms like KKR? Recent reports in the business press, like Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, indicate that the possibility seems increasingly likely. While pension plans have traditionally invested in these types of funds... READ MORE

In a thought provoking and insightful piece, noted industry journalist Chris Carosa tackles the controversial question of whether the Morningstar star ratings are useful in predicting performance. If they're not, the almost parochial reliance on these ratings by plan sponsors and advisors is really... READ MORE

Because of the Great Recession, fewer small employers are likely to offer benefits to their employees. According to a LIMRA study of 754 firms with fewer than 100 employees, only 47% indicated that they offered benefits — the lowest level in the past 20 years. With 98% of businesses considered “... READ MORE

InvestmentsWhile the Wall Street Journal was taking shots at TDFs, claiming they lagged the S&P average for 2012 [1. https://www.napa-net.org/news/plan-optimization/target-date-funds/wsj-takes-a-shot-at-tdfs-2/] and don’t help participants who need to catch up, Morningstar [2. https://www.napa-... READ MORE

While it may be a marketing advantage to be a named fiduciary, many advisors aren’t permitted to do so, and there are instances where it doesn’t make sense. The law firm Lewis and Roca lays out guidelines on which activities make an advisor a fiduciary and how advisors can avoid liability if they... READ MORE

Picking up on the HelloWallet study showing how participants are tapping their 401(k) plans to pay bills, Time magazine this week raised the question of the effectiveness of the system. Though the concerns are real — with one quarter of workers planning to use their 401(k) plans for current... READ MORE

Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series of posts by speakers at the 2013 NAPA/ASPPA Summit, March 3-5, 2013 in Las Vegas. Charlie Epstein and Marcia Wagner address the question of how you can accept rollover business from a 401(k) participant — even if you’re a fiduciary advisor to the plan.... READ MORE

A federal appellate court dismissed claims by a few BoA DB participants that bank-affiliated funds were used improperly. Upholding a lower court's ruling, the appeals court dismissed the suit on procedural grounds without determining the validity of the claims. Citing harm to the plan caused by the... READ MORE