This week’s first annual NAPA DC Fly-in Forum was a seminal event in the evolution of the plan advisor profession — the latest in a series of initiatives by ASPPA and NAPA to help the profession move... Read More
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Managing a Practice
BY Fred Barstein | 9/16/2013
This week, FINRA’s board will take up the issue of whether advisors will be required to report bonuses received when switching broker dealers. The issue had been on the agenda for their July board... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 9/11/2013
When is the best time for a financial advisor to retire? According to FP Transitions, which has valued 1,000 firms with an average value of $1.4 -$1.5 million, the best age is 59, when advisors are... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 8/26/2013
Most parents are concerned about saving for their kids’ college education, as costs continue to rise with no end in sight. Companies can offer a Section 529 college savings plan that acts much like a... Read More
BY John Ortman | 8/22/2013
Employees today are relying more on their employers and demanding more from them. As a result, many larger employers have raised the bar for their DC plans. The result: more pressure on plan advisors... Read More
BY NAPA Net Staff | 8/8/2013
A recent survey found that the percentage of companies participating in the survey that offer employee health benefits for retirees dropped from 32% in 2007 to 25% in 2012. (Other surveys have... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 8/5/2013
With more and more wirehouse and regional reps turning to a fee-based financial planning model, experts say it’s getting harder for RIAs to distinguish themselves. Even if these reps are not acting... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 7/26/2013
As NAPA’s 1st Annual DC Fly-in Forum approaches, many top DC Congressional leaders and policymakers have agreed to speak, with more expected. Currently the agenda for the September 17-18 meeting... Read More
BY Andy Stonehouse | 7/26/2013
Feeling a bit like you've got 404a-5 participant fee disclosure overload? You're not alone. But as noted by Legacy Retirement Solutions, the controversial (and paper-heavy) rules are indeed on the... Read More
BY Andrew Remo | 7/25/2013
On Tuesday, July 24, the Aspen Institute’s Initiative on Financial Security organized a briefing for congressional staff to discuss how reforming the tax code could affect the retirement security of... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 7/24/2013
People are watching the Detroit bankruptcy filing carefully, wondering whether it is the start of a trend for other cities and municipalities in financial trouble – many driven by underfunded pension... Read More
BY Marcus Chandler | 7/24/2013
If an employer is seriously considering hiring your firm to manage their retirement plan, at some point in the sales cycle, chances are they will ask you for references. It goes without saying that... Read More
BY Fred Reish | 7/24/2013
The Office of Management and Budget has posted that it received a proposed regulation from the Department of Labor. Unfortunately, it is not the much-anticipated proposed regulation on fiduciary... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 7/22/2013
If you’re looking for retirement and medical benefits, it’s better to work for larger companies or state and local entities, according to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report covering data... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 7/19/2013
As part of the deal struck by Senate Democrats with Senate Republicans to fast-track a handful of the president’s nominations, Thomas Perez was confirmed July 18 as the new Secretary of Labor. Perez... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 7/1/2013
In a new package of rules filed by FINRA with the SEC, gone is the previously proposed requirement that broker dealers supervise non-securities-related businesses — apparently as a result of industry... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/27/2013
According to research by Cerulli, the headcount for advisors dropped 1.3% in 2012 — a trend that’s expected to continue through 2016. Combined with the fact that the average age for advisors is 51,... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/27/2013
Concerns among employees about their retirement security is an opportunity for advisors to be more competitive, asserts a white paper from ADP that also offers some simple solutions. In addition, ADP... Read More
BY Rick Meigs | 6/26/2013
Tom Clark, chief compliance officer and director of fiduciary oversight at FRA/PlanTools, has spent considerable time and energy delving into and analyzing the DOL's Form 5500 database for usable... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/24/2013
The Schlichter law firm strikes again in a $35 million settlement involving Cigna. Participants in Cigna’s own 401(k) plan filed suit against both the company and Prudential, which bought Cigna’s... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/24/2013
The New York Times took up 401(k) fees in a recent lead article that highlighted lawsuits, especially the 15 cases brought by Jerome Schlichter, as well as last year’s DOL fee disclosure regulations... Read More
BY John Ortman | 6/18/2013
Now that the back end of the record keeping business is fully commoditized, a significant portion of the competition for business is now based on fees for services. This is never a good sign — just... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/17/2013
Who are the top 10 DC record keepers? This question and others are answered in the PlanSponsor’s 2012 annual survey now in its 15th year. Along with top 401(k) record keepers, the top 403(b), 457,... Read More
BY Fred Barstein | 6/12/2013
Moving from a wirehouse to be a pure RIA is a difficult and daunting proposition, with only an estimated 500-1,000 reps taking the plunge. Research shows that spousal support is important. But Focus... Read More
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