Companies look at new ways to help employees save
Like fax machines, telephone booths, cassette tapes and typewriters, company-provided employee pension programs have all but been eliminated. Companies are encouraging employees to look at retirement saving programs in different ways. “Employer-sponsored retirement plans are the main conduit for employees to save for a financially sustainable retirement,” said Chatrane Birbal, director[...]
What’s in your 401(k)? Probably just 1 fund
More and more retirement savers have their entire 401(k) account in just a single mutual fund, and investment advisers are fine with it. Last year, for the first time, more than half of Vanguard’s 4.6 million retirement account participants were invested in a single target-date retirement fund, according to an analysis by the mutual fund […]
Outdated 401(k) rules are shortchanging Americans
Many company 401(k) retirement savings plans could use a swift kick into the 21st century, according to a new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. A number of longtime 401(k) plan designs fail to reflect a new, more mobile workforce and hurt employees’ ability to save, according to the report. Among the arguably outmoded […]
Justices signal support for investors in 401(k) lawsuits
The Supreme Court appeared likely Tuesday to make it easier for participants in employee retirement plans to challenge companies' investment decisions that eat into retirement savings.
Chicago firm files lawsuit while airliner remains missing
A Chicago law firm files lawsuit against Malaysia Airlines and Boeing, and other items in this week's Law Blog Roundup.
401(k)-like plans proposed for businesses with at least 5 employees
Maryland businesses with at least five employees could be required to offer a payroll-deduction retirement plan under legislation being considered by the General Assembly.
Think strategically about your company’s health benefits
A complicated, frustrating and costly issue for small business owners is only going to get more so.
Gary S. Williams: Managing inherited assets takes diligence
Your options in managing assets that you inherit from a loved one's qualified retirement plan may depend on the type of plan in question — for example, 401(k)/403(b) plan or IRA — and your relationship to the deceased.
Kevin Q. Williams: Changes allow more control over 401(k)s
While 401(k)s are still where most people keep most of their retirement savings, many of us don’t pay much attention to how they are doing until an event like a change in jobs prompts us to take action.
Gary S. Williams: Pay attention to IRS rules on inheritances
If you recently inherited retirement assets from a deceased loved one, it is important to pay attention to IRS rules that govern this type of bequest. Your options in managing this money typically depend on your relationship to the deceased and the type of retirement account (401(k) or 403(b) plan, IRA or annuity that you […]
Kevin Fusco: New 401(k) regulations to help investors
Determining, and actually accumulating, adequate retirement savings has never been an exact science, and many investors and workers have become increasingly frustrated by not only the performance of their 401(k)s, but also other detractions that have tarnished the nation’s most popular retirement savings vehicle. Since its advent in the 1980s, the 401(k) has been a […]
Joseph Conroy: 4 options for your old job’s retirement plan
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that Americans will change jobs about 11 times between the ages of 18 and 42. A lot of these job changes will create a financial decision to be made with the retirement plan at the former employer. What should you do with the old […]