Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Gardner & White, an employee benefits consultant based in Indianapolis specializing in the health care industry. Last week Gallagher announced two other acquisitions, including Michigan-based Eriksen Group and Minnesota-based Unisom.... READ MORE

The Wall Street Journal picked its 2012 winners and losers after a year that showed steady gains with low volatility amid worries and uncertainty like the fiscal cliff, European debt and China’s slowing growth. The S&P (counting dividends) was up 15%, the DJIA 6%, NASDAQ almost 14% and junk... READ MORE

Just two weeks after it was started, the NAPA LinkedIn group has grown to more than 500 retirement plan professionals — many of whom are participating actively in discussion threads. As of today, for example, there were 22 posts in a wide-ranging discussion sparked by a commentary about the pending... READ MORE

This may be news only to the president and Congress, but not only do American workers think the government should take steps to enhance tax incentives for retirement plans like 401(k)s, but most don’t expect to rely on Social Security — which younger workers don’t even think will be around when... READ MORE

Part of the deal that avoided the fiscal cliff allows eligible DC participants to more easily convert to a Roth IRA (free registration required). That put 401(k) plans front and center with the press, including the Washington Post, New York Times and Forbes.As a result, participants will pay taxes... READ MORE

If your clients’ New Year’s resolutions include being a better plan fiduciary, they are certainly part of a small and heady group. Here’s a list of 10 resolutions they might consider, provided by the Bryan Cave law firm:• Get fiduciary liability insurance.• Three P’s — practice procedural prudence... READ MORE

Here are the 10 most-read items on NAPA Net last month, listed Letterman-style:10. Cliff Diving Now Looks More Likely 9. Social Security Changes for 2013 and FAQs on 403(b) and 457 Plans 8. WSJ: Advisors in the Driver’s Seat of 401(k) Plans 7. LPL’s New Worksite Financial Solutions Hinges on... READ MORE

In a relatively quick timeframe, MassMutual announced today that it has completed its acquisition of The Hartford’s retirement business. The acquisition was originally announced last September. There are only a few providers with significant business in the small (<$10 million) and mid-sized ($... READ MORE

Fred Reish, Drinker Biddle’s resident ERISA expert, provides an investment policy guide to plan fiduciaries when selecting and monitoring TDFs. Though TDFs are similar in nature to other plan investments, Reish suggests that they are sufficiently different to warrant different treatment. In... READ MORE