"[If] your plan offers a menu of well-constructed passive index mutual funds ... the six-factor analysis is much more straightforward than it appears. The rule's framework was written to accommodate complex products, but a straightforward passive index lineup answers most of the questions by structural feature rather than by ongoing analytical work. This post walks through why that's the case, and what the documentation looks like in practice."  MORE >>

"The FAB doesn't specifically allow plan administrators to continue relying on DOL's existing alternative 2020 e-delivery safe-harbor regulation. Under that safe harbor, retirement plan administrators can furnish e-disclosures through email or a 'notice-and-access' framework that alerts participants when documents are posted to a website or other digital platform. Plan administrators wanting to rely on that safe harbor apparently would have to reflect DOL's proposed changes[.]"  MORE >>

"The court emphasized that to have standing Matula 'must plead a 'particularized injury that affects [him] in a personal and individual way' and that is traceable to the violating act or acts allegedly taken by Wells Fargo.' However, Matula 'candidly acknowledged that the complaint does not allege any actual injury to Matula's Plan account stemming from Wells Fargo's use of forfeited funds.' Instead, Matula emphasized 'plan-level' harms. This concession doomed his appeal." [Matula v. Wells Fargo & Co., No. 25-2441 (8th Cir. May 12, 2026)]  MORE >>

"While the result is favorable for plan sponsors, potential plaintiffs may attempt to cure the standing deficiency by alleging a particularized individual injury in future complaints.... In the meantime, plan sponsors should continue to review their plan documents to confirm that the plan authorizes the use of forfeitures for employer contributions, ensure that any ordering rules or administrative procedures set forth in the plan document are followed, and consider whether plan-level expenses could give rise to potential individualized harm arguments." [Matula v. Wells Fargo & Co., No. 25-2441 (8th Cir. May 12, 2026)]  MORE >>

"On average, retirees report spending 16% of their total monthly income on healthcare costs, including insurance premiums, prescription costs, and out-of-pocket expenses, and the majority (58%) say that they expected Medicare to cover a greater share of their healthcare costs. Notably, 64% of retirees wish they had done more planning prior to retirement, and just 32% currently work with a financial advisor."  MORE >>

"People who trusted financial institutions more had higher levels of wealth. People who trusted Social Security and Medicare more were less likely to have retirement accounts. Levels of trust in financial institutions were only loosely correlated with levels of financial literacy."  MORE >>

"A recent memo from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directs federal agencies not to increase inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties for employee benefit plans for 2026.... [D]ue to the 43-day government shutdown that began October 1, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics never released CPI-U figures for October 2025, leaving the agencies without a multiplier to apply to their 2025 penalties."  MORE >>

"[T]he median percentage remaining in 2022 after medical OOP spending was 71 percent for Social Security benefits and 88 percent for total income. ... In other words, OOP takes a big chuck of retirees’ resources, and the 10-percent increase in Medicare Part B premium [in 2026] suggests no relief on the horizon."  MORE >>