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Viserly Marks Its Official Debut

New Equity Solo 401k Integrated Platform Simplifies DIY Retirement Investing

Transamerica Teams with SWBC on Pooled Plan Exchange

Alliance for Lifetime Income Becoming Part of LIMRA and LOMA

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Itzoe Launches "Fiduciary U" to Deliver Concise, Advanced Training

Oak Harvest Financial Group Launches New Retirement Plan Administration and Fiduciary Services Offering

NAPA Launches Its Latest Certificate Program: 401k Managed Accounts

PLANADVISER'S 2025 Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year Winners


From Across the Web, the Latest Published Articles, Papers, Research, and More

Pacific Office Automation Underperformance Suit Dismissed

Plan fiduciaries facing a lawsuit for alleged breach of duty related to underperforming funds have successfully won a motion to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs claimed that the defendants violated their fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA by mismanaging the SDH Funds, which purportedly led to the funds' poor performance and resulted in significant financial losses for the plaintiffs in terms of investment earnings.

Source: Psca.org, June 2025

How Economic Uncertainty Impacts Retirement Plan Participation and Savings

Economic uncertainty, such as the current conditions across the country, significantly impacts both business and employee participation in retirement savings plans. A study published in the Journal of Pension Economics and Finance indicated that a young participant's behavior during the Great Recession of 2008 could potentially decrease their retirement account value by up to 8% by age 62. Plan sponsors who recognize these challenges can proactively mitigate their effects on employee participation. Strategies such as improved plan design, enhanced features, and diligent monitoring can help reduce negative impacts on participants. The article explores the various ways that economic downturns influence participant behavior.

Source: Planpilot.com, June 2025

Participants Allege Fiduciary Breach at National Rural Electric Cooperative

Participants of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's retirement plan have filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging financial mismanagement and self-dealing in the administration of NRECA's 401k Pension Plan. The complaint highlights NRECA's failure to heed fiduciary warnings, including a 2012 DOL settlement that mandated restoring $27.3 million to employee benefit plans for similar violations. Instead of implementing necessary changes, NRECA allegedly continued to overcharge participants and used plan assets to subsidize its operations.

Source: Planadviser.com, June 2025

UnitedHealth $69M Settlement Finalized

UnitedHealth Group agreed to a $69 million settlement regarding allegations of breaching its duties and mismanaging participants' retirement funds in its 401k plan. A Minnesota judge finalized the settlement last week, following a lawsuit filed in 2021 that involved three years of litigation. The claims centered on UnitedHealth's handling of investments in the Wells Fargo Target Fund Suite, which reportedly harmed over 350,000 current and former plan participants. The settlement aims to resolve these claims.

Source: Planadviser.com, June 2025

DOL Withdraws 2022 Crypto Guidance: What It Means for 401k Plan Fiduciaries

Fiduciaries considering the inclusion of digital asset investments in 401k plans must adhere to ERISA's requirements of prudence and loyalty. This involves carefully evaluating the appropriateness of crypto-based investments, taking into account factors such as participant risk tolerance, market volatility, valuation reliability, transaction fees, and custody arrangements. Given the inherent challenges of cryptocurrencies, fiduciaries cannot simply pass the responsibility to participants by offering crypto alongside other options. Even in plans directed by participants, fiduciaries must ensure that all investment options are prudent and do not include imprudent alternatives.

Source: Pillsburylaw.com, June 2025

How the Rescinded 401k Crypto Guidance Might Impact Fiduciaries

The DOL has rescinded its 2022 guidance advising fiduciaries to be cautious when adding cryptocurrency options to 401k investment menus. While cryptocurrency options are currently rare in these plans, this change may increase the likelihood of their inclusion in the future. Additionally, the removal of the guidance clarifies how 401k investors can currently access cryptocurrency through brokerage windows. Ultimately, the impact of this decision lies in how it may influence future investment options for plan participants.

Source: Napa-net.org, June 2025

Dispelling and Debunking Retirement Plan Misperceptions: Podcast

In this podcast episode, Nevin Adams and Fred Reish discuss common misconceptions about retirement plan responsibilities, drawing inspiration from Fred Barstein's column titled "10 Biggest Lies Told to 401k Plan Sponsors." The hosts aim to clarify these misunderstandings and address the challenges these misperceptions create for plan sponsors.

Source: Napa-net.org, June 2025

JP Morgan Gets Clear Win in 401k Forfeiture Reallocation Suit

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that JPMorgan Chase & Co. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. misused forfeited plan assets to lower their employer contribution obligations instead of benefitting plan participants. The suit claimed violations of ERISA and the defendants' fiduciary duties, but the judge rejected this "novel theory" behind the forfeiture reallocation claims.

Source: Napa-net.org, June 2025

More Articles, Papers, and Research »


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