Benefit Plans Plus
 
Home     Newsletter     Contact     Site Search     Site Map     About Us    
Benefit Plans Plus
Benefit Plans Plus individual_401k_tools
401k_calculator
fiducary_toolkit
newsletter_archives 		Benefit Plans Plus

2012 Contribution Limits

 Benefit Plans Plus  
Benefit Plans Plus Benefit Plans Plus Benefit Plans Plus Benefit Plans Plus Benefit Plans Plus

10151 Corporate Square, Drive Ste. 100 | St. Louis, Missouri 63132
314.824.5200 or 800.511.0726

2220 S. State Route 157 Ste. 300 | Glen Carbon, Illinois 62034
618.654.3100 or 314.824.5240

CEFEX SealBenefit Plans Plus holds the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) seal of  recordkeeper  excellence  for third party administrators,  as certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC (CEFEX) . This is the top recognition in the industry. 


rss   RSS Feed | Subscribe in a reader
Copyright 2011 Benefit Plans Plus. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy CEFEX Certification

BPP401k.com Newsletter
December 3, 2008

News Highlights

Americans Continue to Save in 401k Plans Despite Economic Woes Despite the recent market upheaval and poor investment returns, employees are staying the course and maintaining a long-term focus on retirement saving by continuing to invest in their 401k plans, according to a new analysis by Hewitt Associates.

2008 Year-End Retirement Plan Checklist Before we say good bye to 2008 it is important to review your qualified plan to identify any action items which should be addressed prior to the end of the year. The following checklist describes some of the potential year-end items that may be necessary to maintain the tax-qualified status of your retirement plan.

Investment Fiduciaries - Living in the Left Tail Simple rote execution of fiduciary processes established in normal times may not be considered fully sufficient. Investment fiduciaries should re-examine their investment policies and investment review process to ensure they address the unique characteristics, risks and uncertainties implicit in the current markets.

A Strategic Argument for Phased Retirement Author asks, "Why should employers care about the social good of phased retirement—especially in today's down turned economy, when getting expensive workers off the books is a matter of some urgency for many organizations? It's simple: Phased retirement is good for business."

Guidance Regarding ERISA Fidelity Bonding Requirements Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2008-04. This FAB reviews ERISA's bonding requirements that are intended to protect employee benefit plans from risk of loss due to fraud or dishonesty on the part of persons who handle plan assets or other property.

2008 Year-End Retirement Plan Checklist - Summary: Before we say good bye to 2008 it is important to review your qualified plan to identify any action items which should be addressed prior to the end of the year. The following checklist describes some of the potential year-end items that may be necessary to maintain the tax-qualified status of your retirement plan. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Employees Responding to Market Declines by Choosing Safer Investments - Summary: Despite the recent market upheaval and poor investment returns, employees are staying the course and maintaining a long-term focus on retirement saving by continuing to invest in their 401k plans, according to a new analysis by Hewitt Associates. Located at: Hewitt Associates. Click on headline for full article.

43% of Employers Offer Financial Education Programs for Their Employees - Summary: A recent survey of employers conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that 43% of U.S. respondents offer financial education/literacy programs for their workers. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Americans Continue to Save in 401k Plans Despite Economic Woes - Summary: Despite the recent market upheaval and poor investment returns, employees are staying the course and maintaining a long-term focus on retirement saving by continuing to invest in their 401k plans, according to a new analysis by Hewitt Associates. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Vanguard Report Analyzes Target Date Funds - Summary: The paper analyzes the characteristics of pure and mixed investors and the benefits that target-date funds offer both groups. It assesses the reasons for mixed-target-date adoption, and suggests strategies to encourage more judicious use of target-date funds by these participants. Located at: Vanguard Center for Retirement Research (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

Qualified Plans May Require Discretionary or Interim Amendments - Summary: Qualified plan sponsors need to identify, prepare and timely adopt any amendments that may be required for 2008. For a calendar-year plan, discretionary changes that became effective in 2008 must be adopted no later than December 31. Located at: Benefitslink.com. Click on headline for full article.

Redefining Defined Contribution - Summary: "Redefining Defined Contribution," a report from McKinsey's Financial Services Practice, says that, by 2015, the defined contribution market will transform from a focus on asset accumulation and recordkeeping to a convergence around providing lifetime income security through products and services. Located at: Plansponsor.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

The Automation of DC Plans - Summary: The Pension Protection Act of 2006 opened the door for private sector employers to take a more commanding role in how their employees save for their retirement future and presents those plan sponsors with a new series of considerations. Article discusses automatic enrollment, auto escalation, and QDIA. Located at: NAGDCA. Click on headline for full article.

Investment Fiduciaries - Living in the Left Tail - Summary: Simple rote execution of fiduciary processes established in normal times may not be considered fully sufficient. Investment fiduciaries should re-examine their investment policies and investment review process to ensure they address the unique characteristics, risks and uncertainties implicit in the current markets. Located at: Fiduciary Investor Blog. Click on headline for full article.

More Sponsors Turning to Advisers - Summary: Even before the current market turmoil, plan sponsors were increasingly inclined to bring in some expert help. Located at: Plansponsor.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

A Strategic Argument for Phased Retirement - Summary: Author asks, "Why should employers care about the social good of phased retirement—especially in today's down turned economy, when getting expensive workers off the books is a matter of some urgency for many organizations? It's simple: Phased retirement is good for business." Located at: Workforce.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

Are Participant Balances Adequate - Summary: The unexplored frontier for 401k plans is whether participant account balances are going to be large enough to pay adequate levels of retirement income. It is, in the final analysis, the critical question. Located at: Plansponsor.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

2008 Form 5500 Series Available - Summary: DOL has made available advance copies of the 2008 form 5500 and schedules. They are for informational purposes only. Located at: U.S. Department of Labor. Click on headline for full article.

Guidance Regarding ERISA Fidelity Bonding Requirements - Summary: Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2008-04. This FAB reviews ERISA's bonding requirements that are intended to protect employee benefit plans from risk of loss due to fraud or dishonesty on the part of persons who handle plan assets or other property. Located at: U.S. Department of Labor. Click on headline for full article.

IRS Warns Business Funding Solution ROBS Retirement Plans - Summary: The Internal Revenue Service has released a memo warning businesses that funding your business with your retirement plan may not be a good solution. Located at: Plansponsor.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

2008 Cumulative List of Changes in Plan Qualification Requirements - Summary: The IRS publishes annually a Cumulative List to identify statutory, regulatory and guidance changes that must be taken into account in submissions by plan sponsors to the IRS for opinion, advisory and determination letters whose submission period begins on February 1st following issuance of the Cumulative List. Located at: Benefitslink.com (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

This eNewsletter is published as a service to our clients. BSW Benefit Plans Plus, L.L.C. is not the author of the material unless specifically noted. We review each article to ensure that it is related to the interests of our clients, but BSW Benefit Plans Plus, L.L.C. does not endorse and disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the material. All articles are copyrighted to their publishers.

This eNewsletter is prepared in partnership with 401khelpcenter.com, LLC. and is copyright (c) 2008 by 401khelpcenter.com, LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction without prior authorization.

THIS ENEWSLETTER IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL, TAX OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.