How important is it to consistently participate in a 401(k) plan? According to new research from the EBRI/ICI 401(k) database, the average account balance among consistent participants at year-end 2015 was almost double the average account balance among all participants in the database.EBRI's issue... READ MORE

A new study shows that the face of wealth is changing and is beginning to “tip” to Gen X and Millennials (Gen Y), who look and act much differently than older generations of millionaires do.Fidelity Investments’ ninth Millionaire Outlook study finds that today’s younger millionaires differ from... READ MORE

While plan sponsors express a high level of satisfaction with their retirement advisors, that satisfaction does not necessarily translate to commensurate levels of loyalty, according to a new white paper.Chatham Partners’ study, “The 2017 Advisor Cx,” which looks into plan sponsors’ perceptions of... READ MORE

A biennial global finance report gives the U.S. the highest overall grade in terms of global best practices for mutual funds from the perspective of fund shareholders, but says the U.S. lags in its regulation and taxation practices.Morningstar’s 209-page Global Fund Investor Experience Study covers... READ MORE

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s ruling dismissing prohibited transaction and fiduciary breach claims against Prudential over the use of revenue sharing, allegedly excessive fees and a so-called “pay-to-play” arrangement.In Rosen v. Prudential Ret. Ins. &... READ MORE

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

Baby Boomers are exhibiting a stronger sense of financial preparedness and confidence, according to a recent study that explores generational perceptions of retirement readiness.Allianz Life’s “Generations Ahead Study” of 3,000 Americans found that more than 7 in 10 Boomers (72%) said they feel... 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

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