Today’s investors are exposed to more information than any previous generation, with access to data and research that would have been available only to financial professionals in the past, but that does not necessarily lead to improved knowledge or understanding, a new study finds.  To get a... READ MORE

Legislation supported by the American Retirement Association (ARA) that would allow 403(b) plans to invest in collective investment trusts (CIT) took a significant step forward in the House of Representatives.  In a markup vote late Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee approved an ... READ MORE

More consumers are multi-sourcing their investment decisions, with financial professionals being most influential, but reliance on online and employer resources is also increasing, according to a new research report. Saving and investing consumers today consult an average of 6.4 different sources... READ MORE

With more than a third of the U.S. workforce said to be currently engaged in temporary, contract or on-demand work, a bipartisan group of senators has reintroduced legislation to test “innovative portable benefit designs” to help level the playing field for these workers who lack access to benefits... READ MORE

While there’s much debate over the pros and cons of auto-features and whether participants need a nudge, the results of a new study suggest that plan sponsors can boost “default escalators” in 401(k) plans without decreasing participation. The results are based on a new field study conducted... READ MORE

While traditional benefits, such as retirement savings plans, health coverage and paid time off remain very important, new research shows that most younger workers are also prioritizing non-traditional benefits. Now in its second year, LIMRA’s 2023 BEAT Study: Benefits and Employee Attitude... READ MORE

While they may not realize it, there is an opportunity for small employers to offer competitive retirement benefits, as only a third (34%) currently offer retirement savings to employees today, according to Fidelity Investment’s 2023 Small Business Retirement Index. Of those that do not offer a... READ MORE

Appearing at the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2023 Spring Policy Forum on May 11, Lisa Gomez, Assistant Secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), told attendees that the department is busy working on getting guidance out the door.   On the retirement side, Gomez... READ MORE

According to Bank of America’s latest 401(k) Participant Pulse report, there was some good news to offset the less favorable news amid ongoing economic headwinds.  Notably, the firm’s first quarter, 2023 data shows that fewer participants took loans, but for higher amounts, while hardships... READ MORE