Employee benefits

Dalbar has introduced a registered fiduciary designation for 401(k) advisers, the 401(k) RF Designation, who have obtained the skills and training to perform at that level of care. Training for the designation is provided by qualified training organizations or through a self-study program.

Retirement as we know it is getting hit with two enormous threats.

Nearly one-third, 29%, of the three million 401(k) participants that Vanguard serves had their portfolios in a target-date or balanced fund, or a managed account advisory service, according to Vanguard’s 10th annual “How America Saves.”

ING’s U.S. retirement division is attempting to pursue the small- and mid-sized defined contribution business through the banking channel and with a convenience payroll strategy.

John Hancock Retirement Plan Services has introduced a second generation of its PRIME Elements iPad application for retirement plan advisers and consultants.

ING’s U.S. Retirement Services business will offer the ESG Managers Portfolios, socially responsible asset allocation portfolios from Pax World Management and sub-advised by Morningstar, to the defined contribution plans it administers.

TIAA-CREF has launched the TIAA-CREF Lifecycle 2055 Fund, a target-date fund aimed at those who are 18 to 22 years of age and destined to leave the workforce in or around 2055.

Putnam, iPhone, 401(k), app, application

J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services has launched a new social media forum for its plan sponsor clients called “Voice of the Community.”

Workers who participate in 401(k) plans would be greatly served if a bill that has just been reintroduced in the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension is passed.

College graduates who applied sound planning with following their passions had a much more satisfying college experience—and less debt—than those who did not, according to a study from Fidelity Investments.

Still, a majority of class of 2011 respondents, 66%, who are graduating with debt say the value of college is equal to or worth more than the debt accumulated.

Despite the widely held belief that younger investors have become tremendously risk-averse due to the economic crisis, Vanguard is finding that younger investors have increased their equity exposure considerably.

Since most participants accept the deferral rates that are automatically set in 401(k) plans, sponsors should increase those rates to at least 6% or higher, The Principal says.

Many investors are unaware of the options available for their 401(k) left with a previous employer, Fidelity Investments found. Nearly one-third, 30%, who made a job transition are unsure of what to do with their workplace retirement savings.

Nearly 150 hand-picked and already highly successful Bank of America Merrill Lynch financial advisers next month will embark on what amounts to retirement training boot camp at The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU) in pursuit of a Certified 401(k) Professional designation to further their defined-contributions expertise and differentiate themselves from other DC practitioners.

Unless automatic enrollment in 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans becomes universal and savings deferral rates increase substantially, people are going to have significant shortfalls in their retirement nest eggs.

Only 45% of affluent investors are satisfied with their employer-sponsored retirement plan provider, according to a report from Cogent Research. Forty-three percent say they are somewhat satisfied, and 12% are dissatisfied.

The average 401(k) balance held with Fidelity Investments reached $74,500 at the end of the first quarter, a 12% increase from a year ago and a 58% increase from two years ago. This is the highest account level since Fidelity began tracking account balances in 1998.

Investors stuck with their retirement savings plans in 2010, the Investment Company Institute said Tuesday, basing its findings on data from more than 23 million defined contribution accounts.