ERISA

In an opinion sought by Morgan Stanley, the Department of Labor finds the firm's deferred compensation "appears to be a bonus program" used to reward loyalty and good behavior and not a retirement benefit.

Nearly 84% of U.S.-based plans have an ERISA violation, spotlighting a need for independent benchmarking audits.

The hearing last month explored the legal process for enforcing the fiduciary duty of retirement plans to avoid excessive recordkeeping fees.

There's a new method of counting defined contribution retirement plan participants that can make a big difference for clients.

Shoring up fiduciary obligations under ERISA would be a much-needed protection for investors.

“It will dramatically expand the number of advisors who will be fiduciaries under ERISA,” says one expert.

Advocates hope the Labor Department's first clarification on the Trump-era advice rule is the beginning of a series of steps to improve advice standards.

Some advisory firms have already started narrowing their lists of funds considered eligible for retirement plans based on Trump’s decision to overhaul ERISA.

The rule has faced a host of criticism from investors, environmentalists, asset managers and others.

More than 130 fund management and financial advisory firms have written letters opposing the plan. And the complaints keep coming.

To protect client nest eggs, advisors must know which savings vehicles are protected — and they’re not all created equal.

The department faced scathing criticism for hours from insurers and consumer advocates alike.

Fidelity's letter to the Labor Department says the proposal isn't “well grounded or supported by much of the emerging data.”

More than 95% of comment letters submitted were opposed to the Labor Department’s proposed rule, according to a new analysis.

If the court ends up making this choice, intended family members may lose out — all for want of filling out a one-page form.

The current proposal “would lead to worse outcomes for plan participants as plan sponsors shied away from assessing ESG risks in selecting investments,” the research firm says.

Buyout amounts are high right now, but there are many other factors to consider when guiding your client to the right choice.

Community property rules, how to divide 401(k)s and the nuances of QRDOs are just some of the specifics advisors should know.

“The broker-dealer world has tried to hang their hat on suitability, and if you close your eyes a little and squint, they almost look like fiduciaries — but not really,” one advisor says.

Even after a federal appeals court struck down the rule, more clashes over the regulation of sales versus advice are inevitable.