Tag Archives: 401k compliance

The Art of Fiduciary Investing: Controlling the Controllable

“[I]nvesting intelligently is about controlling the controllable.” Ben Graham, “The Intelligent Investor” The world of fiduciary investing is going through a significant stage, as more attention is being focused on various issues such as advisory fees, annual fees charged by … Continue reading

Posted in 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, pension plans, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE Key Factor in Liability Risk Management

I was at a conference recently to serve on a panel to discuss various fiduciary issues, including FINRA Regulatory Notice 12-25 and the universal fiduciary standard. When I am at a conference, I rarely attend other presentations for the very … Continue reading

Posted in 401k compliance, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, RIA Compliance, securities compliance, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Faces of Fiduciary Prudence

In defining prudence, ERISA’s rules and regulations state that [A] fiduciary shall discharge his duties with respect to a plan solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries…with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, pension plans, securities, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2014 – Brave New Fiduciary World

2014 promises to be a important year for fiduciary liability issues. ERISA advisers, sponsors and attorneys await the Court of Appeals’ decision in Tussey v. ABB,Inc. and its impact on fiduciary issues such as prudence, loyalty and due diligence. If … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, pension plans, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Hidden” Assets – Potential Liability Implications of the LaRue Decision for Attorneys and Fiduciaries

During a recent deposition of an executor, I asked the executor, a bank trust officer, whether the bank had evaluated the defined contribution plan in which the deceased had participated. The trust officer replied that the funds in deceased’s account … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, pension plans, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative Chaos – Creating a Win-Win Situation for Investors and Investment Advisers

Having been involved in the quality of investment advice arena for twenty-five years in some capacity (e.g., securities attorney, RIA consultant, B/D compliance director), I have seen numerous changes in both the industry and the surrounding legal/regulatory environment. There is … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, RIA, RIA Compliance, securities compliance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Upon Further Review: Do We Already Have a Universal Fiduciary Standard?

The debate over a universal fiduciary standard for the financial services industry continues.  To date, as John Adams lamented in “1776,” “piddle. twiddle and resolve, not a damned thing do we solve.” Several studies have conclusively shown that the American … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, securities compliance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How “Safe” Are ERISA 401(k)/404(c) Safe-Harbors?

Like so many others, I provide consulting services to pension plans. Unlike others, I focus on the risk management aspect of pension plans instead of the fundamental, or administrative, aspects of a plan.  I chose to focus on the risk … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, securities | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Tibble Decision – 3 Valuable Lessons for Plan Sponsors and Other Plan Fiduciaries

Reading the Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Tibble v. Edison International, I could not help but notice three issues that I believe will significantly impact ERISA plan sponsors and other plan fiduciaries going forward. First, the Court correctly pointed out … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“The 401(k)/403(b) Investment Manual”

My new book, “The 410(k)/403(b) Investment Manual” is now available from both Amazon and CreatSpace. The manual is intended to provide both plan participants and plan sponsors with valuable information to allow them to properly evaluate the investment options within … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, compliance, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investments, retirement plans, RIA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment