Tag Archives: wealth preservation

Controlling the Controllable: Factoring Investment Costs Into the Prudence/Suitability Equation

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. – Aldous Huxley In an earlier post, I discussed the benefits of controlling the controllable aspects of investing. Investors cannot control the performance of the markets. Investment fiduciaries are not … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, DOL fiduciary standard, elderly investment fraud, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, Fiduciary prudence, fiduciary standard, financial planning, investment advisers, investments, IRAs, pension plans, retirement plans, RIA, robo-advisors, special needs advice, special needs planning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emerging Asset Allocation “Trap?”

As both a securities/ERISA attorney and a CFP® professional, I realize that I often see things from a different perspective that other in those professions. Some would say that is an advantage, others say it’s a disadvantage. I have definitely … Continue reading

Posted in 401k compliance, 404c compliance, compliance, DOL fiduciary standard, elder law, elderly investment fraud, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, fiduciary standard, financial planning, investment advisers, investments, IRAs, pension plans, RIA Compliance, securities, special needs advice, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Special Needs Trusts and Your Value-Added Proposition

Excellent discussion and analysis on a subject that is gaining increasing attention by both financial planners, financial advisers and attorneys, as the need for such services continues to grow as people realize the significant benefits, and protection, that experienced professionals … Continue reading

Posted in elder law, elderly investment fraud, financial planning, investment advisers, special needs advice, special needs planning, trust realtionships, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make a Little Magic: Developing Trust Relationships With Clients

As both a securities attorney and a CFP® professional, I get to see a side of the financial planning and wealth management industries that few get to see – the consumer’s inside viewpoint on the marketing and service practices side … Continue reading

Posted in DOL fiduciary standard, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, investment advisers, Trust marketing, trust realtionships, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Fiduciary Blueprint: The Restatement of Trusts, the Prudent Investor Rule and the DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule

A [fiduciary] is held to something stricter than the morals of the market place.  Not honesty alone, but the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive, is the standard of behavior…. Meinhard v. Salmon, 249 N.Y. 458, 464 (1928) Ever … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, Annuities, BICE, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investment advisers, investments, IRAs, pension plans, retirement plans, RIA, RIA Compliance, securities compliance, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Mr. Schlichter Understands…and Plan Sponsors and Investment Fiduciaries Need to Understand As Well

This week attorney Jerome Schlichter, already known for his actions against 401(k)s and plan sponsors for alleged breaches of their fiduciary duties, added a new category of defendants to his practice, 403(b) plans of private colleges and universities. By my … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 403b, 404c, 404c compliance, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investment advisers, investments, pension plans, retirement plans, RIA, RIA Compliance, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Tipping Off” Potential ERISA Fiduciary Violations – Part 1

As a former catcher, I always enjoyed watching a pitcher to see if he was “tipping off” his pitches so our team could gain an advantage. As an ERISA attorney, one of the services I provide to ERISA consulting clients … Continue reading

Posted in 403b, Annuities, compliance, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, evidence based investing, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, pension plans, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

401(k) Alert: Protecting Plan Sponsors and Plan Participants Under the BICE Exemption

Most of the litigation against 401(k) plans has focused on excessive fees and/or the poor quality of investment options within a plan. With the effective date of DOL’s new fiduciary standard and the Best Interests Contract exemption (BICE) coming in … Continue reading

Posted in 401k, 401k compliance, 401k investments, 404c, 404c compliance, BICE, compliance, DOL fiduciary standard, ERISA, fiduciary compliance, fiduciary law, investment advisers, investments, IRAs, pension plans, retirement plans, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The End of Human Investment Advisors Exaggeration

Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked. Warren Buffett This weekend I saw yet another story on the predicted end of the human investment advisors and the takeover of the robo-advisors. Whenever I see … Continue reading

Posted in investments, RIA, robo-advisors, roboadvisors, wealth management, wealth preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Little More Knowledge on Reducing 401(k) Plan Sponsor Liability

As I have mentioned several times, I believe that the current environment presents investment advisors with a perfect opportunity to enter the 401(k) arena and prove the value added proposition that they can provide. The DOL’s recently announced fiduciary standard … Continue reading

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