Practice Management

Asset allocation models are among the key drivers that advisors use to provide education and advice that will help participants make the best possible decisions about saving, investing and preparing for retirement. In MarketBeat, Amy L Simonson and Robert J. Toth provide a discussion of the use of... READ MORE

DB plans had a tough month in September. Recent reports indicate that both private and public plans’ funded status declined.Corporate plans’ funded ratio dropped to 81.8% in September according to BNY Mellon Fiduciary Solutions, BenefitsPro reports. That drop was primarily fueled by losses in the... READ MORE

Suppose a full-time employee becomes a part-time employee and does not work 20 hours per week consistently. In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder tells us if that employee can continue to contribute to the employer’s 403(b) plan. READ MORE

ERISA does not preempt the application of all federal laws and regulations to retirement plans — and that includes website privacy standards set by the Federal Trade Commission.In a recent post on his Business of Benefits blog, Robert Toth, Principal at Toth Law, discusses a recent court ruling on... READ MORE

Shari Harley brought her “Candid Culture” leadership style to the 2015 NTSA 403(b) Summit in Nashville, discussing ways that advisors can give and receive criticism openly and respectfully, while improving relationships with their clients. Now, she’s sharing those best practices on NTSA Net, as the... READ MORE

If there is a bankruptcy, will a 403(b) come under attack or will other creditors be able to attach the 403(b) funds? In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder tells us how 403(b) assets are handled in a bankruptcy. READ MORE

The IRS issued procedures Sept. 14 for a waiver from the requirement that Forms 8955 and 5500-EZ be filed electronically. In IRS Revenue Procedure 2015-47, effective on Sept. 28, 2015, the IRS set forth how plans and plan administrators — and in some cases, employers — are to proceed if they are if... READ MORE

If your plan sponsor clients haven’t filed Form 5500 as required, they could soon be hearing from the IRS.Recently the Internal Revenue Service’s Employee Plans Compliance unit (EPCU) announced plans to collaborate with the Department of Labor’s Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) to contact Form... READ MORE

Newer is not always better, and Moody’s Investor Service has provided fresh proof — at least for defined benefit plans. According to Pensions & Investments, a report Moody’s released Sept. 1 says that the IRS’ continued use of existing mortality tables could save DB plans $18 billion or more.... READ MORE