This book is written for Plan Sponsors of 401(k) plans and their Committees or Advisors. Most of the book is also applicable for other types of retirement plans such as 403(b) plans. However, it is focused on Participant-directed 401(k) plans where the Participants have investment choices in the plan. One of the first tasks every 401(k) Committee should complete is to figure out who the Fiduciaries are and what they are responsible for. Yet most Committee members don't seem to know, or they get the answer wrong. This book will help you with this important task. Most Committees focus on the investments in 401(k) plans, and this is an important part of the plan. However, the administration of the plan gets overlooked too frequently. If you ask the typical ERISA attorney, they would probably agree that a large majority of the issues in retirement plans are administrative-based and not investment-based. We will discuss some of the key administrative issues that a Committee, Plan Administrator or Plan Sponsor need to be aware of. There probably is not a 401(k) plan around that is in perfect compliance with the laws or Fiduciary governance. The rules are so complicated and convoluted. We should strive to do our best, and reading this book will help.
An indispensable guide to avoiding the legal and financial pitfalls and of retirement plan investment While it has always been true that a well-staffed and managed investment committee is key to the success of a corporate retirement plan, in today's increasingly complex and litigious world it is also a matter of survival. But what constitutes a prudent investment committee selection and operating process? How should a committee be selected and governed? How much reliance should a committee place on outside consultants? Written by an author with extensive, in-the-trenches experience, this book provides complete answers to these and all vital questions concerning the creation, staffing and management of a highly-adept investment committee, along with expert advice and guidance on serving on an investment committee and ensuring that your 401(K) investment program is sound, efficient and in complete compliance. Offers expert advice and guidance on how to serve successfully on an investment committee, facilitate effective management, design and implement a robust investment policy and much more Packed with sample documents, forms, templates, checklists, diagrams and other valuable, ready-to-use resources Features numerous real-world examples drawn from the author’s years of experience as an accredited investment
Are you a retirement plan fiduciary but unsure of what's required of you? Does it scare you to be held personally liable for bad decisions? Do you have a sneaking suspicion that your plan is paying too much in fees but you're not sure how to find out? Are you worried that your employees won't be able to retire? If the answer to any of these questions is "Yes," this book is for you. "Josh Itzoe has a remarkable capacity for seeing through the maze of regulations surrounding qualified plans to the handful of core ideals by which successful plans must operate. This is a great, understandable guide for plan sponsors." -Pete Swisher, CFP, CPC, Vice President and Senior Institutional Consultant, Unified Trust Company, N.A. and author of "401 (k) Fiduciary Governance: An Advisor's Guide" "Fixing the 401(k) is a bold and excellent work. Josh Itzoe reminds us that excellence is desperately needed within our private retirement system. By following the solid principles shared in this book, Itzoe reveals how any employer, large or small, can build and operate an excellent 401(k). The 401(k) is the mechanism that over fifty million people will rely upon to help their retirement dreams become a reality. This book is the starting point for employers who want to understand how to make their 401(k) truly excellent and help secure the common good of society." -Matthew D. Hutcheson, Congressional Expert and Independent Pension Fiduciary
American workers increasingly rely on 401(k) plans for their retirement security, and sponsors of 401(k) plans -- typically employers -- have critical obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). When acting as fiduciaries, they must act prudently and solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries. This report examined: (1) common 401(k) plan features, which typically have important fiduciary implications, and factors affecting these decisions; (2) challenges sponsors face in fulfilling their fiduciary obligations when overseeing plan operations; and (3) actions labor takes to ensure that sponsors fulfill their fiduciary obligations, and the progress the Dept. of Labor has made on its regulatory initiatives.
In an economy that demands focused attention, 401k plan sponsors must concentrate on their business, not its employee benefits. Ironically, this same economic environment provides an ideal opportunity to create a retirement plan that can best help employees retire in comfort. Companies achieving this ideal will find it easier to hire quality employees. How can 401k plan sponsors balance these two opposing forces? The answer most likely lies not within the walls of the company, but in its ability to outsource certain key fiduciary duties to recognized leaders in the fiduciary service industry. 401(k) Fiduciary Solutions covers all 401k compliance issues in a single reference source. It is written for plan managers, sponsors and others with 401k plan fiduciary responsibilities. Smart plan participants may also find the book a helpful source for advice on how to actively monitor plan performance and regulatory compliance. 401(k) Fiduciary Solutions helps readers: - Learn the 5 areas of fiduciary liability. - See a benchmarking template on how to best measure your plan. - Read what issues experts and industry thought leaders say matter most. - Discover how to avoid hiring vendors with hidden conflicts-of-interest. - Recognize what academic research suggests will help employees making good decisions. - Find out what industry pros are doing to create better 401k plans. - Follow an easy-to-implement approach to develop effective plan education. 401(k) Fiduciary Solutions contains an exhaustive appendix filled with great resources and useful checklists. Here's What Others Are Saying About Christopher Carosa's 401(k) Fiduciary Solutions: "The collection of material Carosa has compiled in 401(k) Fiduciary Solutions is nothing short of extraordinary. He digs deeply into an expansive set of topics to extract the practical insights diligent fiduciaries can use on a daily basis as they work with their retirement plans." - Mike Alfred, Co-Founder & CEO BrightScope, Inc. "Chris provides a treasure trove of practical & invaluable information and insights for plan sponsors and financial advisors to 401K plans. If you wear either of these hats you MUST read this book." - Harold Evensky, CFP, AIF, President, Evensky & Katz "Carosa demonstrates a knack for cutting through the clutter of investment, administrative and regulatory issues plan sponsors face to uncover the essence of what the reader needs to know and points to great resources for more information." - Blaine F. Aikin, CEO, fi360 "What sets this book apart from others I've seen in this space is the thoroughness of Chris's research, the variety of experts interviewed, and the breadth and depth of the topics covered. The book flows seamlessly from expert to expert and topic to topic. If you are a plan sponsor or in any way provide service and advice to plan sponsors this is a must-have book for your library." - Roger Wohlner, Co-founder Retirement Fiduciary Advisors "Provocative yet conversational, Carosa's book will terrify plan fiduciaries before guiding them on a simple path out of the darkness." - Jan Sackley, Fraud Examiner, PI, Fiduciary Consultant Fiduciary Foresight, LLC "Candid and forthright, Mr. Carosa proves he writes what he knows. The pithy and concise narrative translates the technicalities of the 401k fiduciary area into a relatable expertise." - Jenny Ivy, Managing Editor BenefitsPro.com "To craft, as Chris has on a regular basis, information on a complex subject that is readable, timely, and instructive - as well as occasionally controversial - is a rare gift." - Nevin E. Adams, JD Director, Education and External Relations Employee Benefit Research Institute "Carosa's work is highly regarded in the retirement community. His new book should serve as an essential reference for any plan sponsor or advisor who aspires to a higher fiduciary standard." - Kerry Pechter, Editor & publisher Retirement Income Jo
Employees have entrusted their retirement assets to your care. Are you making the right decisions? Whether you are a business owner or corporate manager responsible for establishing and maintaining a 401(k) program or an engaged participant interested in plan design, this manual provides practical recommendations on creating and maintaining a best-in-class plan. Three retirement plan professionals help you: Understand how 401(k) plans work and the features that drive successful employee retirement outcomes. Make prudent decisions concerning costs, vendor selection, investments, plan design and operations. Govern your plan to limit liability and protect fiduciaries, while enhancing investment opportunities and helping employees achieve financial security. Moreover, if your organization is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency, foundation, or private school, this manual is applicable in almost all respects to ERISA 403(b) plans. While maintaining a best-in-class 401(k) plan may seem daunting, you can lower costs and provide personalized retirement planning and investment advice to employees all with minimal fiduciary risk. Find out how with The 401(k) Owners Manual.
In today's complex, increasingly-litigious world, you must ensure that your 401(K) investment program is sound and efficient. A well managed investment committee is the key to survival and success. Packed with numerous resources and examples, this clear guide will help you avoid legal and financial pitfalls and find answers to critical questions: * What constitutes a prudent committee selection and operating process? * How should a committee be governed? * How much reliance should a committee place on outside consultants? * How should committee members be selected? * How are best practices articulated and implemented? You will learn how to: * Serve successfully on an investment committee * Enable effective management * Implement a robust investment policy An adept 401(K) investment committee helps you identify crucial issues and get the job done right.
