As more members of Generation X and younger Baby Boomers approach retirement age, the importance of discussing retirement income options has never been more urgent for employers with defined contribution (DC) plans. The challenge lies in determining the best strategies to help employees convert their DC plan savings into a sustainable source of income in retirement. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, employers should consider their plan's philosophy, employee preferences, and unique characteristics when exploring potential changes. With all this in mind, we wanted to share this re ..read more

As you know, our team has recently joined HUB International. HUB is globally recognized as one of the top five insurance brokers, and their Retirement & Private Wealth team, operating across the United States has over 150 offices and is truly an industry leader. By aligning ourselves with HUB, we’ve opened doors to a variety of employee benefits and risk management services our experts can provide, extending beyond retirement plans and financial wellness programs. While healthcare is constantly changing employers have a key role in supporting your employees' health. The Consolidated Approp ..read more

Navigating the complexities of ERISA fiduciary claims and managing a retirement plan can be challenging. There's one recent case that's making waves – the Nunez et al., v. B. Braun Medical Inc. et al. saga. This 63,000-member class action accused B. Braun and its retirement committee of breaching ERISA's fiduciary duties. After a three-day bench trial, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of B. Braun on all fronts. This victory marks a game-changer in the 401(k) landscape, especially when it comes to investments and recordkeeping fees. Let's dig into the backstory: Braun, a play ..read more

In today's society, it has become the norm rather than the exception for American workers to live paycheck to paycheck, struggling just to make ends meet. Shockingly, a third of Americans have $500 or less saved, while 8.5% have between $501 and $1,000, and 11.4% said they have no savings. This lack of financial preparation leaves them vulnerable to unexpected expenses and places them at a higher risk of financial strain.   3. Addressing Medical Expenses: Forward-thinking employers are recognizing the pressing issue of medical expenses. The struggle to afford premiums, deductibles, and co ..read more

Hub International Limited (Hub), a leading global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, announced today that it has acquired the assets of AFS 401(k) Retirement Services, LLC (AFS 401(k)) and AFS Financial Group, LLC (AFS Financial, and together with AFS 401(k), AFS).  Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, AFS is a nationally recognized leader in providing forward-thinking retirement plan consulting and wealth management services to companies, organizations, individuals, and families. AFS 401(k) supports mid- and large-sized organizations in managing employer-sponsored reti ..read more

One of the most important things you can do to help your employees is to encourage them to participate in their workplace retirement savings plan. October is National Retirement Security Month (NRSM), and it’s the perfect time to educate your employees about the significance of planning for their future financial security. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why NRSM should matter to your employees and how you can help them prepare for retirement. Retirement savings may not be a top priority for your employees Many employees may be more focused on paying off high-interest debts or handling immed ..read more

As you might recall from our executive summary report, the SECURE 2.0 Act included several important changes to retirement plan rules. One of those changes, scheduled to take effect in plan years beginning on or after 01/01/2024, involves high-income earners making age 50+ catch-up contributions. Currently, anyone age 50+ can elect to make catch-up contributions as pre-tax or Roth.    We’ve been hard at work educating and preparing our clients for this change, but there are still outstanding questions. How will payroll providers assist with this new requirement? Are our recordke ..read more

As advocates for company-sponsored retirement plans and benefits, we are constantly seeking new ways to improve employee benefits and engagement for our clients and prospective partners. That's why we are excited to share our latest trends report, which compiles some of the most innovative ideas and initiatives from our Annual Employee Benefits Symposium, held last fall (2022). This event brings together some of the industry’s brightest thought leaders. This report seeks to address the generational shift in the workforce, with a focus on expanding benefits packages to support unique employee s ..read more

The impact of financial anxiety on the American workforce has been revealed in Franklin Templeton's recent study, "Voice of the American Worker". The study highlights the challenges employees face due to the current economic climate and the importance of financial wellness in job satisfaction. Throughout the study, it exposed that this financial concern has reversed the pandemic’s “Great Resignation” to “the Great Return” and is reshaping employee benefits expectations. The study highlights that financial wellness is a critical component of job satisfaction, and employers can improve retention ..read more

As an employer with a company-sponsored retirement plan, you have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of your employees. This includes ensuring that the plan is administered in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. In recent years, there has been an increase in lawsuits filed by participants against plan sponsors alleging breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims. These lawsuits can be costly and time-consuming, so it is important that everyone take steps to protect themselves. Here are three ways an employer with a company-sponsored retirement plan can im ..read more