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.
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
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 resource for every financial service professionals developing an IPS The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is one of the most critical documents fiduciaries must draft. For years, ERISA and other industry regulations have governed the guidelines all fiduciaries must comply with when drafting one. But the current climate of corporate scandal and the 2008 global banking crisis have led to increased scrutiny by regulators, prompting firms to take a closer look at the quality and integrity of their IPSs and to take steps to have a rigorous formal process in place for drafting them. Endorsed by the Foundation of Fiduciary Studies, this concise guide provides a rigorous framework and the expert insight, information and guidance you need to guarantee that your IPS is in complete compliance with all ERISA-directed requirements. Provides a step-by-step plan for creating a uniform IPS that every advisor in the office can follow Defines the duties and responsibilities of all parties involved, while clarifying diversification guidelines and providing methods for keeping costs under control Packed with ready-to-use templates, sample forms, letters and other documents, diagrams and other valuable tools, including sample Policy Statement downloadable at the companion website Designed to get you quickly up to speed on what you need to know to confidently serve your clients with the highest standards of care and protection
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
"401(k) plan sponsors are responsible for offering an array of appropriate investment options, and participants are responsible for directing their investments among those options. While participants expect to be able to switch investment options or withdraw money from their accounts, during the recent economic downturn, some 401(k) plan sponsors and participants found that they were restricted from doing so.GAO was asked to (1) identify some of the specific investments and practices that prevented plan sponsors and participants from accessing their 401(k) plan assets and (2) determine any changes the Department of Labor (Labor) could make to assist sponsors in understanding the challenges posed by the investments and practices that restricted withdrawals. To do this, GAO reviewed relevant federal laws and regulations and consulted with experts, federal officials, service providers, and plan sponsors."
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
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.
The decisions you make about your 401(k) or 403(b) plan today will have a huge impact on your life tomorrow. Your future isn't going to pay for itself. Common Financial Sense will give you the knowledge you need to fund the retirement you deserve. Common Financial Sense helps you to better understand your 401(k) or 403(b) plan and how to save smarter for your retirement. Common Financial Sense lays out the basics of 401(k) and 403(b) planning in simple, easy to understand language. With the guidance of nationally recognized investment experts Harris Nydick and Greg Makowski, you'll learn how to: Choose the investments best suited for you Make other important choices that are appropriate to your stage of life Identify common misconceptions about retirement planning Calculate the optimum amount to save each year Be calm in the face of market fluctuations Get to retirement with a large enough nest egg When it comes to investing for your future, many people don't even know where to begin or what questions to ask. Common Financial Sense is your starting point.
