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Fred Barstein

Do not-for-profit entities that have 403(b) plans care more about outcomes than for-profit firms with 401(k) plans?Though the recent Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) 2015 403(b) Plan Survey does not answer that question directly, there are indications that 403(b) plans may, in fact, be more... READ MORE
Though markets averaged a 7.45% return from 2004-2012, unfunded liability of public pension funds tripled — to just under $2 trillion — over that same period, according to a recent Moody’s report. Along with trying to recover from the recent recession, public entities are simply not providing... READ MORE
Though markets averaged a 7.45% return from 2004-2012, unfunded liability of public pension funds tripled — to just under $2 trillion — over that same period, according to a recent Moody’s report. Along with trying to recover from the recent recession, public entities are simply not providing... READ MORE
While assets in IRAs are larger than those in DC plans, the vast majority of their growth comes from rollovers, according to research from EBRI. The EBRI database covers $2.09 trillion of the ICI-estimated $5.6 trillion in IRAs as of the end of 2012 and includes 25.3 million accounts for 19.9... READ MORE
In a recent speech in Washington, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) laid the groundwork for moving more state workers into a blended 401(k)/DB plan to fill a $807 million hole in the state’s $33 billion budget. Currently, the state’s retirement plan is underfunded by an estimated $51 billion, the... READ MORE
Reacting to a forensic investigation initiated by state employees, North Carolina’s $87 billion state pension system may be moving from a sole trustee to a board soon. As reported in P&I, a panel convened by State Treasurer Janet Cowell (D) is recommending the change amid allegations set forth... READ MORE
Qualified retirement plans offer employees significant tax savings and have become a mainstay of most group benefits. But to maintain their qualified status, they must comply with a set of comprehensive rules and regulations. Failure to comply can result in the immediate taxation of all... READ MORE
According to research by ING, plan participants who use TDFs are more confident about meeting their retirement goals. They also defer more and are less stressed. In an online survey of more than 1,000 plans conducted last September by ING (which will be known as Voya starting in May), 54 percent of... READ MORE
New research by EBRI indicates that the level of participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans decreased in 2012 for almost all size plans. Even participation in public sector plan decreased in 2012. Participation rates in both public sector and private plans with more than 500 employees are... READ MORE