Retirement benefits

The Vanguard Group has issued industry results from its “How America Saves 2011” report, based on the 3.2 401(k) investors it serves in 2,500 plans. The industry that saves the most in 401(k) plans is both small and large utilities (9.0% and 8.2% average contribution rates, compared to an average of 6.8%).

Continued scrutiny by regulators and legislators on the fees and outcomes of 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans is pressuring revenues at asset managers, advisers and recordkeepers and will shape the future of the DC retirement plan market, according to a new study from Financial Research Corp., “Trends in Retirement/401(k) Plans and Administration.”

When individuals are faced with too many options they become paralyzed and don’t make the best decisions -- even when it comes to 401(k) options, according to a new study co-authored by Columbia Business School and University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Not enough Americans are saving for retirement -- and the ones who are, aren’t saving enough. Which is why ING’s retirement division has launched a number of programs to help encourage individuals to save more in their defined contribution retirement plans.

U.S. retirement assets rose 3% from year-end 2010 to $18.1 trillion as of March 31, the Investment Company Institute said.

In a recent survey of nearly 3,300 working Americans to determine current levels of retirement preparedness, Putnam Investments identified three key variables that boost workers’ retirement savings, regardless of their income: consistent, long-term saving, access to financial advice and workplace savings plans.

Brinker Capital this week became the latest independent investment management firm to add a suite of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to its defined contribution retirement plan offering, adding seven new ETFs that range from defensive fixed-income funds to aggressive equity-based funds.

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.

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.