A recruiter acknowledges those financial advisors who wish they never left the comfort of the traditional big firm world.

The Hartford has launched a new marketing campaign,” Two for Tomorrow,” advising Americans to take the 2% reduction in Social Security payroll taxes and use the money to boost their retirement savings.

While Americans have remain committed to saving for retirement through their 401(k)s, a significant portion of households owning financial investments, 37%, have become more conservative in their saving, asset allocation and choice of retirement age, according to a survey of 3,000 households at the end of 2010 by the Investment Company Institute.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has censured and fined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. $500,000 for failing to establish and maintain written supervisory procedures to ensure that its representatives considered customers’ state income-tax benefits in their suitability analyses of 529 college saving plans.

While regulators have focused on target-date funds since the financial crisis, most investors understand the funds’ basic design and are aware of their risks, a Vanguard survey of 4,700 investors shows.

Putnam Investments has promoted Robert E. Alan to head of North American consultant relations and Keith E. Thomas to head of international consultant relations. The two will work with the consultants who advise institutional investors on investment strategy and the selection of managers.

Employers are clearly more optimistic about the economy, for another 40% that had suspended 401(k) contributions will resume them by mid-2011, doubling the 40% that already have resumed suspended or reduced matches, the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America announced.

Interest in boutique firms has accelerated because they offer creativity and a known brand.

The new retirement plan requirement to disclose all fees will be particularly difficult for non-registered investments, such as bank collective funds, separately managed accounts and annuities, the SPARK Institute warns. Thus, it is developing standards to facilitate disclosure.

Employers are clearly more optimistic about the economy, for another 40% that had suspended 401(k) contributions will resume them by mid 2011, doubling the 40% that already have resumed suspended or reduced matches, the Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America announced Friday.

According to a poll conducted in October and released on Wednesday by InCharge Debt Solutions Americans are significantly more concerned about future expenses than paying off existing debt or paying their current bills.

Retirement benefits, specifically defined benefit programs, are critical when it comes to attracting and retaining employees.

Contributions to 401(k)s increased in the last year, Principal Financial found in a survey of 1,159 employees and 529 retirees in October.

The formula employers use for their matching contributions in their 401(k) plans serves as a strong cue to workers for how much to contribute, analysis by The Principal finds.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration on Monday proposed disclosures on target-date funds offered in 401(k) plans.

Prudential Retirement has added the stable value Prudential Protection Account to its suite of institutional 401(k) retirement solutions. The account guarantees up to $250,000 of principal and accrued interest through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Legg Mason announced Tuesday it has formed the Legg Mason Retirement Advisory Council, comprised of 14 industry leaders who will meet quarterly to discuss major challenges facing retirement products, service provides and best practices.

Fidelity Investments announced Tuesday that since it introduced its Fidelity Rewards Card in 2003, which gives back 2% of purchases in cash for investment accounts, customers have earned $300 million. Customers may apply this money to 529 college savings plans, brokerage or retirement accounts.

The average 401(k) retirement account rose nearly 32%, 31.9%, in 2009, according to a report issued Monday by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Investment Company Institute. The average balance among those who consistently contributed to their 401(k) plan reached $109,723 at year-end 2009, up from $61.106 at year-end 2003—for an annual growth rate of 10.5%.

College savings funds have slashed fees this year, Morningstar reports, making them worth another look.