Industry Trends & Research

Social Security continues to face “significant financing issues,” says the Board of Trustees of the federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds in its annual report to Congress. It notes that it has arrived at that finding in prior years. The Board calls on... READ MORE

While Millennials remain the largest cohort in the workforce and bring their own unique perspectives and expectations, the so-called Zoomer Generation born between 1997 to 2012 is beginning to enter the workforce and is already starting to have an impact on the retirement industry.   This is... READ MORE

American households that adopt some or all of five key financial wellness behaviors are more likely to be saving more and better positioned for building wealth, says a report. In MarketBeat, Ted Godbout writes that the findings suggest that “retirement saving” is one of the most difficult behaviors... READ MORE

Apparently it’s never too early to start thinking about the cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security. While at this point such things seem to be highly speculative (to say the least), February inflation — as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (... READ MORE

Unfortunately, recently I have needed a little bit more dental care than usual. My dentist has referred me to several specialists, and the specialist has always been more expensive than my local dentist, and most of the time, it is by a lot. The adage, “Riches are in the niches” echoes as I pay my... READ MORE

The NTSA is always eager to serve its members as well as the 403(b) and 457(b) marketplace, its professionals, and those whom it serves. And that takes fine-tuning to make sure the effort best meets their needs.  So the NTSA will be boosting its efforts to enhance its social media presence as well... READ MORE

Financial literacy, financial wellness, and now …longevity literacy. John Sullivan writes in MarketBeat that it’s the latest phrase in the fight to raise awareness of — and preparation for — later-in-life issues, financial, medical, and otherwise, and an idea the TIAA Institute hit upon during its... READ MORE

Does a plan sponsor violate a duty of loyalty when considering retirement plan participant preferences?  Here’s what Tim Hauser, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Program Operations of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), had to say.  “We added a provision that expressly says the... READ MORE

“We spend so much time chasing the next ‘yes,’ but we’re communicators at our core,” Phil Kim told the TPA and advisor attendees at the 2023 National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA) Summit in Tampa on in a Feb. 27 session. “Wouldn’t it be great if we focused on communicating better?”  ... READ MORE