Tag Archives: retirement plans

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

Secrets to a Successful 401(k) Plan

Over the holidays I was catching-up on my reading. One of the articles I came across involved a debate over which metric was more effective in assessing the success of a defined contribution plan, a plan’s rate of participation or … Continue reading

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

Seeing Is Believing: Marketing to Plan Sponsors

One of the most common questions I get is from advisor is how to convince plan sponsors that they need to review their plan for potential compliance issues.  When I ask plan sponsors what it takes to get their attention, … Continue reading

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The Active Management Value Ratio™- Revealing the Undisclosed Cost of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

Despite overwhelming evidence that actively managed mutual funds generally under-perform passively managed index funds, the evidence indicates that most investors continue to purchase and hold actively managed funds.  Even when an actively managed fund does outperform its relevant index, the … Continue reading

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

Is ERISA Section 408(b)(2) the New 401(k) Fiduciary’s Achilles’ Heel

On July 1st, the disclosure requirements of ERISA 408(b)(2) go into effect with regard to plan providers and plan sponsors.  Disclosure requirements between plan sponsors and plan participants are scheduled to go into effect at the end of August. Plan … Continue reading

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New Compliance and Liability White Paper

With the new year comes the renewal of the debate over one universal fiduciary standard for those providing investment advice to the public.  What many compliance professionals do not realize is that many jurisdictions already impose a fiduciary standard on … Continue reading

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

Don’t Go There!

My clients are familiar with several pet phrases that I use to state my opinion in a short, yet definitive manner.  One of those phrases that I find myself using a lot is “don’t go there.”  As a compliance consultant … Continue reading

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The RIA’s Achilles’ Heel

As an attorney and a compliance consultant, I realize the difference between RIA compliance and RIA risk management.  I also realize the importance of both.  Unfortunately, I see far too many cases where RIA firms have unnecessary liability risk exposure … Continue reading

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