Service Providers

Total expenses for institutional investors have fallen 5% since 2015, according to Callan’s 2021 Cost of Doing Business Survey, marking the first decrease in the history of the survey.  Institutional investors paid an average of 54.2 basis points for total fund expenses, with the vast majority of... READ MORE

With the pandemic leading many employees to focus more on workplace financial benefits, a new study finds that nearly all HR executives are placing a priority on reevaluating such benefits for 2022.  Findings from Morgan Stanley at Work’s inaugural State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study... READ MORE

Like the annual physical, an employee benefit audit may not be much anticipated, nor particularly welcome. Yet both are important and can be worthwhile. A recent blog entry offers some ideas on making the most of one.  In “Six Steps to a Smooth Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) Audit,” David Rich and... READ MORE

In MarketBeat, Ted Godbout writes about a blog post that suggests that in light of the DOL’s increased focus on cybersecurity and participant data, reviewing service agreements to ensure they do not give implicit approval to use participant data to cross-sell may be wise. READ MORE

It’s been said that a committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours, but the reality is that they are an essential element in assuring prudent retirement plan operation and administration—even when they are a committee of one. In MarketBeat, Nevin E. Adams, JD, Head of Research and Chief... READ MORE

The most important step in helping employees to save for retirement is to provide a plan in which they can participate. MarketBeat features a blog entry argues that is only a first step, and that there are important matters that should not be overlooked. READ MORE

A recent SPARK Institute webinar discussed the importance of being aware of the risks cyber criminals pose as well as how their nefarious work can be thwarted.  There have been many breaches in the last decade, observed Mark Strosahl, Business Information Security Officer at the Principal. But... READ MORE

A great resource to help you grow and expand your business could be right under your nose… Are you spending time you don’t have trying to work out problems you didn’t create? Let’s face it—good service, or the lack thereof, is widely cited as the most common reason why plan sponsors change... READ MORE

A federal judge has put a half dozen excessive fee suits on hold pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in a case that ”will likely clarify the pleading requirements for ERISA breach of fiduciary claims in cases such as this…”   That was the determination of Judge William C. Griesbach... READ MORE