John Iekel

Many recent events have changed the way we look at access to teachers in order to provide long-term retirement planning. A Feb. 27 panel discussion at the NTSA Summit looked at best practices as well as the likely trends for the future. Panelists included the following: Brad Hope, AIF®, PPC,... READ MORE

Eleanor “Ellie” Lowder, TPGC, was honored with the 2023 Bob D. Schiller Award. Lowder, a volunteer with the NTSA for decades, passed on in 2022.  Born in 1938 in Virden, IL, Ellie was a loving mother and dedicated wife, and in a time in which it was more traditional for women to not enter the... READ MORE

Are retirement plans SECURE? American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff, NTSA Executive Director Nathan Glassey, and ARA Director of Federal and State Legislative Affairs Andrew Remo at the Feb. 26 opening session of the 2023 NTSA Summit in Tampa, FL discussed Washington’s take on that. And,... READ MORE

Lisa Stubbs, CRES, of Security Benefit, has taken the helm as 2023 NTSA President. In her remarks at the opening session of the 2023 NTSA Summit, she set growth as a priority. “We’re going to do that in a big way,” she said.  “My goal this year is to get more people engaged,” said Stubbs,... READ MORE

The latest deadline for registering with the Connecticut Retirement Security Program — also known as MyCTSavings — looms. And the program itself could be fine-tuned if legislation now before the state House of Representatives is enacted.  The Connecticut Retirement Security Program is a state-... READ MORE

The West Virginia Senate has passed a measure that would include certain public charter schools under state public retirement system coverage. Sen. Eric Nelson (R-Kanawah) introduced the bill, SB 449, on Jan. 24. It passed in that chamber on Feb. 9 in a 33-0 vote. What the Bill Would Do The bill... READ MORE

Employee participation in retirement plans could be better, by some measures. How to improve it has long been a topic of discussion — and knowing what employees are looking for in a plan is a key factor in bringing that about.  It’s the Economy, S_____ What employees want can be a bit of a moving... READ MORE

A bill is before the Illinois Senate that would allow a financial institution or investment provider to offer or provide services to certain 457 plans. Sen  Michael W. Halpin (D-Rock Island) introduced SB1233 on Feb. 2, 2023.  The bill provides that a financial institution or investment provider... READ MORE

OregonSaves, CalSavers, Illinois Secure Choice…call it what you will, they and their counterparts boil down to one basic thing — a retirement plan sponsored by the state government to provide at least some kind of retirement plan coverage for individuals who lack access to one. In most cases, that... READ MORE