"[1] Required automatic enrollment and escalation for new retirement plans.... [2] Changes to required minimum distributions.... [3] Changes to catch-up contributions.... [4] Treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of matching contributions.... [5] Small immediate financial incentives for contributing to a plan.... [6] Expanded coverage of long-term, part-time workers.... [7] Recovery of retirement plan overpayments.... [8] Safe harbor for corrections of elective deferral failures."  MORE >>

"The House recently approved a bill of proposed changes to U.S. tax-qualified retirement plans, ... commonly known as 'Secure 2.0' [HR 2954] ... [T]he legislation's proposed effective dates are for plan years after December 31, 2022. Plan sponsors could struggle or perhaps even be unable to comply with such an aggressive timetable."  MORE >>

"If individual investors are spooked into selling -- locking in their losses -- during falling stock and bond prices backed by companies they know and understand, what then can we expect from those contemplating adding the more volatile and misunderstood cryptocurrency to their retirement portfolio?"  MORE >>

"This article draws on Russell Investments' experience working with some of the world's largest and best-known institutional investors, dedicated manager research resources and ongoing ESG research to draw out some observations on the adoption of ESG by ERISA qualified plans, delve into what may be influencing those decisions and provide guidance on how to move forward on ESG."  MORE >>

"If autocracy is moving the world toward deglobalization, geopolitical investment principles should complement environmental, social and governance factors. There's a lot for pension boards and investment managers to keep in mind."  MORE >>

15 pages. "Plan sponsors, advisors and employers need to understand the differences in financial perspectives and retirement security by racial and ethnic groups and identify strategies to help reduce disparities and improve benefit programs and their outcomes. Human resources and employee benefit strategies -- as well as bigger picture organizational strategies that support human resource strategies -- can improve retirement security for these Americans, while other solutions can benefit individuals without access to employer-sponsored retirement plans."  MORE >>

"While a down market may not be a fun time for investors, there are some bright spots and opportunities to be had. Stock market drops like we've seen recently might make a Roth IRA conversion more appealing as a strategy for investors.... There are a few things to consider before pulling the trigger."  MORE >>

"For many private companies, spring can be a time with fewer calendar year-driven HR projects.... Accordingly, this may be the perfect time to take stock of your executive compensation arrangements and employee benefit plans so that you are ahead of any issues that may arise in the context of an ultimate sale or liquidity event.... This post provides general guidelines, suggestions, and considerations for getting started on the deal process and getting organized."  MORE >>

"Fidelity Investment's 2022 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate increased 5% from 2021, and the figure has nearly doubled since the initial $160,000 estimate in 2002.... For 2022, Fidelity estimates that a 65-year-old couple retiring this year can expect to spend an average of $315,000 on health care costs throughout retirement. The estimates for single retirees are $150,000 for men and $165,000 for women. For single retirees, the 2021 estimate was $157,000 for women and $143,000 for men."  MORE >>