| BenefitsLink Retirement Plans Newsletter |   |
May 9, 2006
Today's sponsor: ASC & The ASC Institute
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| ASC RETIREMENT PLAN SOFTWARE, DOCUMENTS & EDUCATION FOR OVER 20 YEARS! |
| ASC helps retirement plan professionals increase efficiency and profitability through its software systems, documents and education. Software includes DC 401(k) administration & valuation, Defined Benefit, Compliance Testing, DV Direct daily valuation, AIM case management and more. With ASCi plan documents you can quickly and easily create customized prototype/volume submitter plan documents, efficiently maintain historical plan information, create complete amendment packages for all your clients at one time and more. Click to learn more or email sales@asc-net.com. |
| (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) |
New Plan for Energy Department Contractors' Benefits
Excerpt: "A new policy at the Energy Department will shift contract employees to 'market-based' retirement and health-care plans in an effort to reduce costs, officials said." (The Washington Post; one-time registration required)
Roth 401(k)s are Wrong for Most 401(k) Participants: A Quantitative Analysis
Link to 9-page article appears on target web page. Excerpt: "[T]he 'traditional' 401(k) deductible contribution will produce more income during retirement in most circumstances versus contributing the same net amount to a Roth 401(k)." (Unified Trust Company, N.A.)
Employee Turnover Linked to Plan Participation Rates According to Study
Excerpt: "A study from Charles W. Cammack Associates, Inc. (CWCA) indicates a link between employee turnover rates and retirement plan participation rates." (PLANSPONSOR.com: one-time registration required)
Opinion: San Diego Finding a Way to Solve the Pension Funding Problem? Prove It
Excerpt: "City of San Diego employee retirement benefits were increased every year from 1989 to 2003. The true cost of this was hidden from all of us because it was completely unaffordable. That is why the contributions were not paid. That is why we now owe billions. The 'secret' is now out. The city is clearly insolvent. So what are we doing about it?" (voiceofsandiego.org)
Colorado Lawmakers and Governor Reach Deal to Fix State Pension Fund
Excerpt: "Lawmakers reached a deal with Gov. Bill Owens Friday to close a potential $11 billion shortfall in the public employee pension system by offering alternative plans to more workers and changing the composition of the board." (AP via The Pueblo Chieftain)
Understanding Pension Plan Survivor Benefits
Excerpt: "Many attorneys don't understand the importance of survivor benefits and their impact on the amount of pension that will actually be paid in the future. A non-participant spouse can receive as little as 50% of what he or she thought they had bargained for if the survivorship issue is not dealt with properly. Attorneys are not expected to, and usually do not, understand actuarial calculations." (Divorce, Pensions and Retirement Benefits Newsletter)
Abstract: Redistribution by Ins. Market Regs: Analyzing a Ban on Gender-Based Retirement Annuities
Excerpt: "This paper shows how models of insurance markets with asymmetric information can be calibrated and solved to yield quantitative estimates of the consequences of government regulation. We estimate the impact of restricting gender-based pricing in the United Kingdom retirement annuity market, a market in which individuals are required to annuitize tax-preferred retirement savings but are allowed considerable choice over the annuity contract they purchase." (National Bureau of Economic Research; paid subscription or individual purchase required to retrieve full-text)
Retirement Planning -- From Accumulation to Distribution
Excerpt: "How do you make a retirement portfolio produce consistent cash flow? Very, very carefully--and withe an eye toward preventing market drops from draining assets. Harold Evensky explains his preferred method in this chapter from his new book, co-edited with Deena Katz." (financial-planning.com)
Overview: DOL Guidance on Mutual Fund Settlements (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "On April 19, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2006-1, which addresses a variety of issues in connection with distributions from settlement funds established to remedy late trading and market timing in mutual funds. The FAB provides detailed and helpful guidance to plan fiduciaries on how to allocate amounts received from the settlement funds among plan participants." (Groom Law Group)
Australia Will Scrap Tax on Pension Fund Payouts from Next Year
Excerpt: "Australia's government will abolish taxes on pension fund payouts and scrap rules on how pension savings must be used, in a plan aimed at encouraging people to work longer as the population ages." (Bloomberg News)
Retiree Benefits Drain Finances: Enhanced Pension Deals Are Milwaukee County's Albatross
Excerpt: "The super-enhanced pension and health benefits constitute arguably the most golden retirement package in the country for government employees, including the politicians who approved the changes. A key is the 'rule of 75' policy enacted in 1994, which opened the door for many employees to retire in their 50s, putting them on county retirement health insurance for longer." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
SAFE: Defining a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence for Investment Managers (PDF)
8 pages. Excerpt: "[Investment Managers are] Organizations that manage separate accounts, mutual funds, unit trusts, and commingled trusts." (fi360.com)
SAFE: Defining a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence for Investment Advisors (PDF)
8 pages. Excerpt: "[Investment Advisors are] Persons who provide comprehensive and continuous investment advice including financial advisors, broker-consultants, investment consultants, wealth managers, financial consultants, trust officers, and financial planners." (fi360.com)
SAFE: Defining a Global Fiduciary Standard of Excellence for Investment Stewards (PDF)
7 pages. Excerpt: "[Investment Stewards are] Persons who serve as trustees of personal trusts and investment committee members of retirement plans, foundations, and endowments. This SAFE (Self-Assessment of Fiduciary Excellence) is intended to assist: (1) An Investment Steward in analyzing how well their organization meets a defined global fiduciary standard of excellence; and (2) Investment Stewards in improving their long-term investment performance." (fi360.com)
SAFE: Self-Assessment of Fiduciary Excellence (PDF)
8 pages. Excerpt: "This SAFE (Self-Assessment of Fiduciary Excellence) is intended to assist an Investment Advisor, or the public, in analyzing how well an Advisor meets a defined global fiduciary standard of excellence. The questions also can serve as the basis for framing an Investment Advisor's leadership quotient, the standard of care which exceeds minimum standards defined by securities regulators." (fi360.com)
Newly Posted Events
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Missouri on June 6, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Illinois on June 6, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Indiana on June 6, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in California on June 7, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Indiana on June 8, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Michigan on June 8, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in California on June 8, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Nebraska on June 13, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Kentucky on June 14, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Tennessee on June 14, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Illinois on June 15, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Ohio on June 15, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Advanced IRA Seminar
in Minnesota on June 15, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in California on June 6, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Wisconsin on June 7, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in California on June 7, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Missouri on June 7, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in California on June 8, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Tennessee on June 13, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in West Virginia on June 13, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Kentucky on June 13, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Virginia on June 14, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in Minnesota on June 14, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Beginner IRA Seminar
in New York on June 15, 2006
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
ERISA Litigation Forum Teleconference: The "Serious Consideration" Doctrine and Related Case Law
Nationwide on June 6, 2006
presented by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
FMLA Update (Two Day Program - Seminar Plus Workshop)
Nationwide on May 22, 2006
presented by HRTrainingCenter.com
Improving Benefit ROI: Making Value Count Through Communication Teleweb
Nationwide on May 22, 2006
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Key COBRA Court Cases - What You Can Learn From The Mistakes Of Others
Nationwide on May 18, 2006
presented by HRTrainingCenter.com
Plan Investment Fees and Costs: What You Don't Know!
in Ohio on May 18, 2006
presented by WEB (Worldwide Employee Benefits Network) Cleveland Chapter
To H.S.A. or Not to H.S.A. - What is the Alternative?
in Washington on May 12, 2006
presented by International Society of CEBS - Pacific NW Chapter
Welfare Plan 5500 Filing
Nationwide on June 1, 2006
presented by SunGard Corbel
Will You Have a Life During Rev. Proc. 2005-66?
in Ohio on May 30, 2006
presented by ASPPA Benefits Council of Greater Cincinnati
Newly Posted Press Releases
J.C. Penney and J.B. Hunt Win Best of Class Benefits Solution Awards for Retirement and Health Benefits Best Practices
(SouthWest Benefits Association)
White Horse Advisors Hires New Team Member
(White Horse Advisors, LLC)
NASDAQ Provides Listed Companies With Access to Executive and Board Member Compensation Data and Information
(NASDAQ)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Sr. Strategic Planning Consultant
for Transamerica
in CA
Plan Administrator
for The Newport Group, Inc. (Lake Mary/Orlando, FL location)
in FL
Wanted: Employee Benefits Broker
for Boutique Benefits Firm for New York Metro Area
in NJ
Account Executive - Client Relationship Development
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in TX
Retirement Analyst - Retirement Service Center
for Mercer Human Resource Consulting
in KY
Retirement Service Center Team Leader
for Mercer Human Resource Consulting
in KY
Relationship Manager
for New York Life Investment Management LLC
in MA
Compliance Analyst
for New York Life Investment Management LLC
in MA
Retirement Sales Consultant
for New York Life Investment Management LLC
in MA
Associate Consultant - Retirement Practice
for The Bostonian Group
in MA
Defined Contribution Pension Plan Administrator
for Suburban Philadelphia Retirement Administrator/Consulting Firm
in PA
Compliance Manager
for Associated Pension Consultants
in CA
Financial / Investment Specialist (PART-TIME)
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in AL
Defined Contribution Consultant
for LAR Pensions, LLC
in CT
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
NOTE TO AOL MEMBERS: PLEASE DO NOT REPORT THIS EMAIL AS SPAM. This email is not unsolicited. We do not send unsolicited email. This email is coming to you because you asked to receive it by entering your email address on our web page at
https://benefitslink.com/newsletter/
These emails are sent each workday except federal holidays.
This email has been published by:
BenefitsLink.com, Inc.
1298 Minnesota Avenue, Suite H
Winter Park FL 32789
(407) 644-4146
Fax: (407) 644-2151
David Rhett Baker, J.D., Editor
Copyright 2006 BenefitsLink.com, Inc.; except that you can forward this email in full (including this boilerplate part) or otherwise reprint this email in full (including this boilerplate part) without obtaining our permission.
Anyone can receive these emails; just have them sign up at this Web page: https://benefitslink.com/newsletter/
Housekeeping: