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Understanding FMLA in 2016: An Employer's Basic Guide
January 12, 2016 WEBCAST
(Cowden Associates, Inc.)

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[Guidance Overview]

2016 403(b) Plan Compliance Calendar
"Here is a 403(b) Plan Compliance Calendar for 2016, listing many compliance deadline dates for 403(b) plans. Note that some of the deadlines only apply to particular plan types (such as ERISA plans) and are noted accordingly. Also note that plans with non-calendar plan years may be subject to different deadlines for a portion of the dates [listed]." (Diane D. Capone, TGPC, via National Tax-Deferred Savings Association [NTSA])  

[Advert.]

Advisors: Attend NAPA's 2016 401(k) Summit, April 17-19 in Nashville

Register for NAPA's 2016 401(k) Summit – the event Plan Advisors won't want to miss! Enjoy networking with other financial advisors and TPAs while earning up to 14 hours of NAPA/ASPPA CE credits from innovative sessions on the topics that matter most to YOU.

[Guidance Overview]

DOL Issues Interpretive Bulletin on Social Investing
"An important purpose of [Interpretive Bulletin 2015-02] is to clarify that plan fiduciaries should appropriately consider factors that potentially influence risk and return. Environmental, social, and governance issues may have a direct relationship to the economic value of the plan's investment. In these instances, such issues are not merely collateral considerations or tie-breakers, but rather are proper components of the fiduciary's primary analysis of the economic merits of competing investment choices. At a minimum, this seems to say that not only could a fiduciary consider matters unrelated to investment performance, it could make those the matters the most important factor." (Winston & Strawn LLP)  

What's Ahead for RP-2014 Mortality Table Users?
"The MP-2014 mortality improvement scale was constructed based on a model developed by RPEC utilizing SSA mortality data between 1950 and 2009. The MP-2015 mortality improvement scale incorporates two additional years of SSA data (2010 and 2011). The SSA data indicates that mortality rates remained relatively constant for 2010 and 2011. This is in contrast to the expectations of the MP-2014 calculations, which predicted mortality improvement for this period. Plans that utilized the RP-2014 mortality table with MP-2014 mortality improvement scale may see a 0% to 2% decrease in plan liabilities by utilizing the MP-2015 mortality improvement scale in their fiscal year-end financial disclosures." (Milliman Retirement Town Hall)  

Back to the Retirement Future: How DC Plans Have Developed Since 1985
"Think about the [DC] plan of 1985. DC plans were relatively new -- to employers and employees alike -- and they offered little in the way of investment choice or participant education. Today, they're the primary retirement savings vehicle for millions of employees and are designed to make the complex task of saving for retirement easy and automatic. How did we get from there to here? ... Auto-everything.... Simplified, streamlined lineups.... Action-oriented education." (Vanguard)  

More Plan Sponsors Focusing on Overall Financial Wellness
"Financial literacy and wellness are closely related, and both can affect how a retirement plan participant manages personal finances -- and how finances are managed has a direct impact on preparing for retirement." (PLANSPONSOR)  

What You Need to Know About Alternative Investments
"[C]onsiderations include: ... [1] Investment selection and ongoing due diligence ... [2] Supporting documentation ... [3] Liquidity of the investment ... [4] Determination of fair value ... [5] Tax considerations of alternative investments ... [6] Plans with direct ownership in foreign investments ... [7] Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Programs." (EisnerAmper)  

The Year in Retirement Investing Trends for DC Plans
"From a fundamental rethinking of the role of ESG investing to ongoing money market fund reform, there was no shortage of major shifts for defined contribution plan investment menus in 2015." (PLANSPONSOR)  

What's on Tap in 2016 for Adviser Regulation?
"The [DOL] is poised to release a final rule in the spring that would require financial advisers to act in the best interests of their clients when dealing with retirement accounts. Meanwhile, the [SEC] has put a similar proposal for retail investment advice on its regulatory agenda.... Among [other] regulatory developments to watch: Third-party exams ... SEC nominees ... Transition rule for investment advisers ... Cybersecurity ... New leadership at Finra." (InvestmentNews)  

Retirement Planning for Couples with an Age Gap
"Choose the age at which you each wish to retire.... Hold off Social Security to get more each month.... Keep more money working in your retirement accounts.... Ensure adequate healthcare coverage.... Plan for the unexpected and the inevitable.... Start planning sooner rather than later." (Hopkinton Crier)  

Why You Should Plan for Retirement by Decade
"We have learned two key things from talking to people who have retired, or are about to: First, they are trying to better plan for funding needs by decade rather than in a lump sum and, second, to focus on revenue still coming into the household at least through their 60s and 70s. The point is to still bring in income to supplement retirement funds and fund the lifestyle you want. We should be focused on lifestyle desires, likely longevity of yourself and spouse or partner, and types of expenditures by decade. The real number might be a combination of 10-12 times your current income plus revenue coming in at least during your 60s and 70s, beyond savings." (Business Insider)  

How Do I Know When to Retire?
"Here are three reasons you might want to retire sooner rather than later ... [1] Finances: Because retirement may not be as expensive as you think.... [2] Fulfillment: Because you may want more time to pursue fulfilling activities outside of work.... [3] Relationships: Because you may want to devote more time to relationships outside of work." (Pension Consultants, Inc.)  

The Oldest Baby Boomers Turn 70
"The oldest baby boomers will reach age 70 in 2016. Turning 70 has several important implications for your retirement finances.... [1] Sign up for Social Security.... [2] Remember required minimum distributions.... [3] Avoid two distributions in the same year.... [4] Consolidate your accounts.... [5] Watch out for savings restrictions.... [6] Gather important documents." (U.S. News & World Report)  

[Guidance Overview]

Provisions in the Appropriations Act Affecting Employee Benefit Plans
"Changes to the 'Cadillac' tax ... Moratorium on annual fee on health insurance providers ... Transit parity ... Rollovers from employer-sponsored retirement plans to SIMPLE retirement accounts ... Additional exceptions to 10 percent additional income tax on early retirement plan distributions." (McGuireWoods LLP)