Managing Your Practice

Summer has begun, and for many parts of the United States, so has hurricane season. Residents and proprietors in areas at risk of a landfall — as well as inland areas that also can be affected — often hear exhortations to be prepared, just in case. The IRS has issued a reminder about the importance... READ MORE

A majority of households age 55 and older do not have retirement savings. That sobering news comes from a recently released study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). “Retirement Security: Most Households Approaching Retirement Have Low Savings” says that 52% of such households are in... READ MORE

How do you reach your clients? Future clients? Do you rely on traditional media, or have you expanded the repertoire so that it includes a 21st-century edge? In a June 1 NTSA podcast, John Hall, Vice President of Digital Marketing at PlanMember Services, offered his insights on the best ways for... READ MORE

Funds in 403(b)s were invested more heavily in fixed annuities than in any other kind of investment in 2014, according to the Spectrem Group, a financial analysis firm.Spectrem reports that last year, 43% of 403(b) funds were invested in fixed annuities; 33% were invested in variable annuities; and... READ MORE

IRS Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2015-27 updated the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS). On April 2, the IRS released Rev. Proc. 2015-28, outlining even more changes — this time, concerning autoenrollment. In MarketBeat, Michael Webb examines the autoenrollment changes to EPCRS... READ MORE

The Form 5500 is part of the bread and butter of the federal government’s information gathering concerning employers and employee benefit plans. But authority to use it is not eternal. The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) has asked the Office of Management and... READ MORE

On April 14, the DOL released a proposed fiduciary rule that expands the definition of who a fiduciary is and attempts to broaden the scope of its fiduciary oversight. In MarketBeat, Mike Webb makes some observations regarding the impact of the proposed rule. READ MORE

Cyber attacks, and the threat they pose to firms that provide finance-related services and their clients, prompted the recent release by the SEC’s Division of Investment Management of some steps that can protect against them. The SEC intended the tips for financial services firms and advisors, but... READ MORE

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced April 28 that she has launched an investigation into the rewards and incentives that annuity providers offer to brokers and dealers who sell annuities to families and small investors.In letters sent to 15 of the country's largest annuity providers, Warren... READ MORE