Tag Archives: DOL fiduciary rule

“Fair Dealing”-The Key to Navigating the Suitability, Best Interest and Fiduciary Standards

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius-and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. – Albert Einstein With FINRA’s recent announcement that it will keep its suitability rule and … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c compliance, Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, best interest, closet index funds, compliance, consumer protection, cost consciousness, cost-efficiency, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, fiduciary liability, fiduciary standard, pension plans, Reg BI, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Future is Now: SCOTUS and Putnam Investments, LLC v. Brotherston

SCOTUS has yet to decide whether to hear the case of Putnam Investments, LLC v. Brotherston. I continue to argue that the ultimate decision in this case could have a significant impact on the future of the 401(k) industry and … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, best interest, consumer protection, cost consciousness, cost efficient, cost-efficiency, ERISA, ERISA litigation, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, fiduciary liability, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Judge Judy and the SEC’s Best Interest Proposal

The SEC recently announced its “kinda fiduciary”proposal, allegedly to provide investors with protection against abusive marketing strategies used by the investment industry. Interestingly, the SEC choose not to use the term “fiduciary” in announcing its proposal, instead referring to new … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, BICE, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, financial planning, Impartial Conduct Standards, investment advisers, investments, IRA, IRAs, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, securities compliance, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Avoiding ‘Lipstick on a Pig’: Evidence-Based Investing for ERISA Fiduciaries”

“You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.” – Wall Street saying I often serve as a consultant to securities/ERISA attorneys and 401(k)/403(b) retirement plans. I am often asked to perform a forensic analysis of an … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, closet index funds, compliance, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, ERISA litigation, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, Impartial Conduct Standards, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Active Management Value Ratio 3.0: Investment Returns and Wealth Preservation for Fiduciaries and Plan Fiduciaries

Studies have consistently shown that people are more likely to understand and retain information that is conveyed visually rather than verbally or in print. I regularly receive requests for copies of the PowerPoint slides. So for those of you that … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, BICE, closet index funds, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, elderly investment fraud, ERISA, ERISA litigation, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, Impartial Conduct Standards, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2017 Year-End Top 10 DC Funds AMVR Analysis

Each year “Pensions and Investments” publishes a list of the top 50 mutual funds used by defined contribution (DC) plans. The rankings are based solely on the amount of money invested in each fund within DC plans. I do an … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, BICE, closet index funds, compliance, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, ERISA, ERISA litigation, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, Impartial Conduct Standards, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, wealth management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fiduciary Litigation 2018: A Pure Heart and an Empty Head Are No Defense

After my recent post, “Are We At A ‘Tipping Point’ in ERISA Fiduciary Litigation,” I received a number of calls and emails from legal colleagues and investment professionals who wanted to discuss the points I raised.  In the post, I … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 403b, 404c, closet index funds, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, ERISA, ERISA litigation, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, financial planning, Impartial Conduct Standards, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There Are No Mulligans in Fiduciary Law

Webster’s dictionary defines a mulligan as “a free shot sometimes given a golfer in informal play when the previous shot was poorly played.” While various organizations are currently promoting various erroneous definitions of “fiduciary” and what a fiduciary’s duties include, as the … Continue reading

Posted in Annuities, BICE, compliance, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, Impartial Conduct Standards, pension plans, retirement plans | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are We At a “Tipping Point” in ERISA Fiduciary Litigation?

As I went through my daily social media review, I noticed a post indicating that DOL Secretary Acosta has indicated that the DOL is ready to enforce the department’s new fiduciary rule (“Rule”). Excuse me if I’m skeptical, given the … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, closet index funds, compliance, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unintended Consequences: Financial Advisers and Potential Liability Issues Under State Fiduciary Laws

With the investment industry driving and celebrating the continuous efforts of the DOL and Congress to emasculate the DOL’s fiduciary rule, I have received emails from stockbrokers and RIAs/IARs as to what the practical meaning of these actions, from a … Continue reading

Posted in BICE, compliance, cost consciousness, DOL fiduciary rule, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, Impartial Conduct Standards, pension plans, prudence, retirement plans, RIA, RIA Compliance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment