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Managing Your Practice

The Millennial generation views benefits, especially retirement plans, very differently than older generations do — a trend that will reshape key aspects of the relationships among participants, plan sponsors and advisors. In a fascinating article in the latest issue of Benefits Quarterly magazine... READ MORE
Many sobering reports have been issued regarding the degree to which U.S. workers are preparing — or not — for retirement. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s (BPC) Personal Savings Initiative (PSI) may not be the first effort that seeks to help turn the tide of poor savings rates, but it has heft and... READ MORE
If a client is age 72, and has worked for three years for an employer that offers a 457(b) plan, what are the rules regarding when he can retire with an unreduced benefit? In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder explains what he needs to do and whether any catch-up contributions are possible.  READ MORE
How can a plan participant determine how much can safely be withdrawn from an account after retirement? What is your clients’ risk tolerance? Find out at the 2014 NTSA 403(b) Summit, to be held in Washington, D.C., June 22–24.  Michael Kitces, a financial planner, commentator, speaker and... READ MORE
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in U.S. v. Windsor — in which it said that retirement plans must treat a same-sex spouse just they would any other spouse for purposes of benefits under the retirement plan — one year ago, on June 26, 2013. That makes this an opportune time for Ellie... READ MORE
The federal government and U.S. workers agree that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — a.k.a. Obamacare — will affect the timing of retirements. However, IFAwebnews reports that there’s a wide gap between what the government and many workers expect that effect to be, according to a survey conducted... READ MORE
Simplified investment platforms are becoming more common for 403(b) plans, and target date funds are among the most widespread investment options, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America’s sixth annual 403(b) plan survey. The Principal Financial Group sponsored the study. Aaron Friedman... READ MORE
More often than not, employees who obtain investment advice do not follow it. And that’s among those who bother to seek it in the first place. The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2014 Retirement Confidence Survey suggests that advisors have some work to do in boosting plan participants’... READ MORE
Change is coming to the “once each 12 months” rule for indirect IRA-to-IRA rollovers. The federal Tax Court, in Bobrow vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service, held that you can’t make a non-taxable rollover from one IRA to another if you have already made a rollover from any IRA that you own... READ MORE
The funded status of public- and private-sector pension plans is a classic example of bad news/good news. To wit: Some states’ pensions are in bad shape, but funding of public-sector pension plans overall is improving; corporate pensions’ funded status fell in April, but only very slightly.  State... READ MORE
There are things you should do — and not do — in using social media. And it’s especially complicated for those in the retirement plan industry, since social media communications must comply with the rules promulgated by regulatory bodies and others.  Join us for an upcoming webcast, “Realities of... READ MORE
TSA Consulting Group, Inc. announced April 29 that it has acquired the 403(b) Solutions Program from Security Financial Resources, Inc. The deal greatly expands the reach of TSA, a Fort Walton Beach, Fla.-based independent provider of retirement plan compliance and administration services whose... READ MORE
It’s now easier for plan sponsors and employers to participate in the 403(b) pre-approved plan program. April 14 was the effective date of IRS Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2014-28. The new guidance modifies guidance the IRS issued last year, Rev. Proc. 2013-22, to make it easier for a person to... READ MORE
The IRS, in Notice 2014-19 and related FAQs, says clearly that retirement plans — including 403(b) plans — have to recognize same-gender spouses and spells out how. The notice and FAQs, which the IRS issued April 4, are a follow-up on Revenue Ruling (Rev. Rul.) 2013-17, which provided general... READ MORE
It will be easier for plan sponsors and employers to participate in the 403(b) pre-approved plan program beginning April 14. That’s the effective date IRS Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2014-28. The new guidance modifies guidance the IRS issued last year, Rev. Proc. 2013-22, to make it easier for a... READ MORE
For qualified plans, the plan termination regimen is well-established via an IRS determination letter process. But that cannot be said about terminations of 403(b) plans. Only recently have the final 403(b) regulations and IRS guidance clearly established that a 403(b) plan could be terminated at... READ MORE
Sponsors of 403(b) plans are more apt to offer a broad range of services and options, according to a study of defined contribution (DC) plans The 2013 Plansponsor Defined Contribution Survey found that 403(b) plan sponsors in many ways are more generous than their other DC plan counterparts. The... 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
  Over the last 30 years we have seen unprecedented changes in retirement choices in the 403(b) marketplace. There have also been enhancements to help advisors communicate with clients and prospects. Are these changes helping or hurting you? How can you adapt your practice to utilize these... READ MORE
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2013 issue of 403(b) Advisor Magazine.  To view a PDF version of this article, please click HERE. Gathering in the energy-filled Chicago Loop in June, 403(b) professionals from around the country networked, learned about timely industry initiatives and... READ MORE

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