Bill Would Allow Independent Advisers to Counsel Plan Participants - Summary: A key Congressional committee is expected to vote on a proposal - as early as next week -that could potentially bar thousands of brokers from providing investment advice to 401k participants, according to sources. Located at: Investment News (free registration may be required), June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Fidelity Released the Results of Its Second Couples Retirement Study - Summary: The results show that despite two years of unprecedented economic and financial instability, which has severely impacted most American households, husbands and wives have done little to improve their communication, planning and management of retirement finances. Located at: Fidelity Investments, June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Summary of The Defined Contribution Plan Fee Transparency Act of 2009 - Summary: This is the official summary of a bill (H.R. 2779) that would add new Section 4980H to the Internal Revenue Code requiring notice to plan participants and taxes for failure to comply. Located at: American Benefits Council, June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Schwab Releases Data on Employer and Worker 401k Behavior - Summary: Charles Schwab released new 401k plan data indicating that while the economic downturn has impacted some aspects of employer and worker behavior in plans, both groups have largely stayed the course and remained committed to their plans. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Employers Are Divided Over Adequacy of 401ks - Summary: Employers are evenly split between those who say their 401k plans can provide adequate retirement savings for employees and those who say they can't or are unsure, according to a Mercer survey. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration may be required), June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

More 401k Plan Sponsors Considering Collective Trusts - Summary: Move over mutual funds. The number of collective investment trusts available to institutional investors is exploding, and the trusts are offering many 401k plan sponsors a less expensive way to provide competitive investment options to employees. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration may be required), June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Administration Explores 'R Bond' As Option for Retirement Accounts - Summary: Officials in the Obama administration are moving quickly to develop the investment infrastructure behind the president's proposal for mandatory automatic enrollment in individual retirement accounts, which could be supported by the creation of Treasury-issued retirement bonds. Located at: Investment News (free registration may be required), June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

U.S. Retirement Market Data for 2008 - Summary: ICI published its annual report on the U.S. retirement market, which shows that Americans held $14.0 trillion in retirement assets at year-end 2008, down 22 percent from year-end 2007. Located at: Investment Company Institute, June 2009. Click on headline for full article.

Many Americans Are Not Financially or Emotionally Prepared for Retirement - Summary: Almost four in 10 Americans are not currently saving for retirement and, despite market losses, six in 10 Americans have not adjusted their thinking about what age they will retire, according to a survey by Charles Schwab. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, June 2009. Click on headline for full article.