Pension Consultants/Administrators
Leading Northern NJ Actuarial Firm
in NJ

Retirement Planning Consultant
Transamerica Retirement Solutions
in WI

Corporate Retirement Services Manager
McLaren Health Care
in MI

Director, Client Executive
Transamerica Retirement Solutions
in TN, TX

Senior Retirement Plan Manager
Chemung Canal Trust Company
in NY

Senior Defined Benefit Administrator
Northeast Professional Planning Group
in NY

Defined Contribution Administrator
Northeast Professional Planning Group
in NY

401(k) Distribution and Loan Specialist
Malcolm Thompson & Associates
in TX

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Strengthening the Web of Financial and Retirement Security for Today's Working Americans
January 29, 2014 in DC
(National Academy of Social Insurance)

Top 10 Plan Designs for the Small Employer, and Creative Plan Corrections – Des Moines
January 31, 2014 in IA
(SunGard Relius)

Plan Administrator Skills Workshop
March 14, 2014 in OK
(SouthWest Benefits Association)

Navigate Alternative Assets Conference
March 24, 2014 in DC
(Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA))

View All Webcasts and Conferences

[Official Guidance]

Text of IRS Notice 2014-8: January 2014 Update for Weighted Average Interest Rates, Yield Curves, and Segment Rates (PDF)
"This notice provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve (and the corresponding spot segment rates), and the 24-month average segment rates under Section 430(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, this notice provides guidance as to the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities ... as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008, the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate ... and the minimum present value segment rates ... as in effect for plan years beginning after 2007. These rates reflect certain changes implemented by [MAP-21]." (Internal Revenue Service)  

[Advert.]

Half-day Specialty Topics Seminars – 17 Cities in January

Learn the top ten plan designs for small employers and features that can help save money. Learn to use EPCRS principles to correct common and uncommon errors and retain qualified plan status. Up to 8 hours of CE credits available. Register today.

Variable Annuities Cases Surge in Arbitration
"In 2012, the variable annuity was the only class of security for which arbitration claims increased, with 220 cases filed that year, according to data from [FINRA]. Last year, through November, 165 such cases were filed, surpassed only by cases involving ... common stock and mutual funds. It represented a 20% decline in variable annuity cases from the same period in 2012, but stock and mutual fund cases dropped at a faster rate." (The Wall Street Journal; subscription may be required)  

Most Employees Find Retirement Income Projections Helpful, According to LIMRA Survey
"Of those employees who found the retirement income estimates less than 'very helpful,' 45% said they did not understand the calculations behind the projections or were not confident in the accuracy of the results. Two in five said the information was too hypothetical, and 17% said the projections didn't capture all of their retirement savings." (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business)  

Institutional Asset Allocation: Satisfying Objectives and Obligations (PDF)
8 presentation slides; topics include: Fiduciary fatigue; Fiduciary liability is real; Some asset allocation issues for fiduciaries; One possible solution is to outsource; External fiduciary ecosystem; and, Other possible solutions depend on multiple factors. (Pension Risk Matters)  

Bonds Captivate $16 Trillion of Pensions
"After the 30 percent rally in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index brought the biggest corporate pensions on the verge of closing shortfalls for the first time since before the crisis, they're now pouring back into fixed-income assets to lower risk as the Fed's move to taper stimulus causes yields to rise." (Bloomberg)  

[Advert.]

401(k) Plan Duties and Liability Update: What You Need to Know and Do

This Jan. 28 webinar will provide a best practices review and overview of ERISA fiduciary concepts, with a focus on fees and expenses, and what you need to do now to stay ahead of the curve. Special BenefitsLink discount.

U.S. Pension Plans Should Take Bonds for a Spin
"At this moment ... pension plans are in a rather fortunate position. Their funding ratios should have improved because of the doubleheader of rising equity markets and rising bond yields. It's an opportune moment for fiduciaries to consider locking in gains by switching into long-duration fixed-income assets. For many pension plans, a further allocation into long bonds could be an attractive way to derisk by reducing the mismatch between their assets and liabilities." (Institutional Investor)  

California Gov. Brown 'Committed' to Getting CalSTRS Rate Hike
"A new state budget Gov. Brown proposed last week does not have a long-sought rate hike for CalSTRS, which is projected to run out of money in three decades. But the budget does call for talks with teachers, schools and others to work out a rate-hike plan.... [T]he rate hike needed to project full CalSTRS funding in 30 years has ballooned to an additional $4.5 billion a year, nearly doubling the $6 billion received from current rates and a big bite from the $107 billion proposed state general fund." (Calpensions)  

Cypen & Cypen Newsletter, January 9, 2014
Article titles include: [1] Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal rules in favor of Hollywood firefighters; [2] FPPTA comments on maintaining local control of Florida municipal pensions; [3] Issues that state legislatures will be tackling this year; [4] Retired Illinois teachers challenge pension reform; [5] Congress could reconsider military pension cuts; [6] Corporate pension funding levels up sharply; [6] Retirement tips for 2014; and [7] A perspective on retirement readiness. (Cypen & Cypen)  

Canadian Pension Plans Post Dramatic Rebound
"Canadian pension plans posted a major turnaround last year as strong returns made all their 'dreams come true,' and are looking forward to another positive year in 2014 that could push many into unaccustomed surplus status.... The average plan in Canada was 99.9 per cent funded at the end of 2013 ... Only 6 per cent of plans were below 80 per cent funded." (The Globe and Mail)  

[Opinion]

As More U.S. Workers Go Independent, a Retirement Time Bomb Is Ticking
"[A recent survey] found that 28 percent of the self-employed were not saving anything at all, and another 40 percent were only saving occasionally, when they said they were able. At the same time, the ranks of U.S. freelancers, contractors and temp workers are growing every year -- to an estimated 40 percent of the workforce by 2020 ... and up from 30 percent in 2006 ... Even though the U.S. retirement system has not really been designed for them, freelancers must take responsibility and drastically up their retirement saving using the investment vehicles most appropriate for them." (Chris Taylor for Reuters)  

Spin-off Playbook: When Corporate Transactions Impact Benefit Plans
"Corporate spin-offs present a range of equity compensation, 409A, and employee benefits issues that are often under-appreciated, and lately recognized.... [H]ere is a checklist from which to get started[.]" (ERISACloud.com)  

Putting Out the Equity Compensation Fire?
"Equity compensation has become more volatile and complex during the past two decades. While it isn't about to go away, it does require more planning, expertise and pragmatism than most companies realize. Burn rates are just one component." (Compensation Cafe)  

Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout App Now Available For iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android Smartphones and Tablets
Wellness & Prevention, Inc.

US Department of Labor Obtains Consent Judgment Ordering Restoration of Almost $53,000 to SIMPLE IRA Plan of Former Rhode Island Day Care Business
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), U.S. Department of Labor

US Department of Labor Files Suit to Recover Unpaid Contributions to 401(k) Plan of West Haven, Conn., Contractor
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), U.S. Department of Labor

Accenture Selected to Continue Improvements to HealthCare.gov
Accenture

Benefit Advisors Network Announces Carrier Partnership With Reliance Standard Life Insurance
Benefit Advisors Network

Capital BlueCross, PinnacleHealth System Team Up to Bring Employers a New Health Insurance Option
Capital BlueCross

Enrollment Growth In Government-Based Healthcare Coverage Drastically Outpaces Commercial Insurance In Puerto Rico
Decision Resources Group

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