Posts Tagged ‘401k advice’
Video: Quick and Easy 401(k) Moves
We are a fan of keeping things simple, so when we run across tips on how to do so, we like to make sure we share them with you. The following video is an example of such tips; this one specific to your 401(k) plan.
There is one thing we would like to add to the idea of consolidating your old 401(k)s: If your company has BeManaged available, many of our clients prefer to roll those old 401(k) accounts into their current account to make sure it is managed for them, instead of having to figure out where and what to invest in themselves. Often times they are nearing or already past the capped fee we charge, so there is little to no financial benefit to us, but a big one for our clients.
Read MoreNew 401(k) Advice Rules Set By End of February
The Department of Labor has declared their hopes for releasing the provisions for 401(k) advice by the end of February. Fair warning: The PPA was passed 4 1/2 years ago, and they still have not finalized said provisions. However, after the DoL was a bit embarrassed by the industry backlash by the legal, consumer protection and fiduciary experts, I actually feel optimistic they will get it right this time. In reading Phyllis Borzi’s comments below, we are hopeful the provisions will look something like this:
Read MoreAnother Study Shows 401(k) Advice/Help Improves Participant Outcomes
A recent study by Hewitt and Financial Engines found that people getting “help” outperformed those that did not by about 2%, after analyzing the performance of roughly 400,000 investors across seven retirement plans. The findings compliment the study by Charles Schwab in Nov. ’07, which found those that got help outperformed those that did not by nearly 3%. The studies compliment each other by the fact that each were conducted during different market cycles, the Schwab study during a bull market, the Hewitt study during a bear market. Thus, regardless of the market’s direction, studies show proper portfolio management superceded normal investment behavior (chasing performance, emotion based investing, etc.).
Read MoreMore Plan Sponsors Crossing the Line from Education to Advice – CFO.com
Since 401(k) plans were created, education was seen as a way of “moving the needle” to help participants make better investment decisions and improve plan participation. Does education help make investors investment managers?
Read MoreWhy Is Your 401(k) In Trouble? Because You Don’t Have Time To Read This Post
Our lives are as busy as ever. Family, school activities, committees, church, associations…oh, and that job thing too. These are the days of never really “disconnecting” with laptops, netbooks and smart phones constantly keeping us informed and “connected.”
Additionally, the multitude of responsibilities we are responsible for continues to increase. Your 401(k)? Yeah, that’s one of them. Lack of time is the #1 response people give us when they sign up for our BeManaged or BeAdvised service.
Read MoreAmway Demonstrates Employee Focus via 401(k) Advice and Financial Counseling
Late last year, Amway concluded a three year nationwide due diligence campaign for fiduciary 401(k) advice and hired BeManaged, powered by local firm Actium LLC, which provide professional ongoing account management and investment advice through Amway’s existing 401(k) plan, administered by Fidelity Investments. Over 1,000 Amway employees took advantage of BeManaged’s free 1on1 consultations provided over a 90 day period, which helped them understand what kind of investor they were, and then comparing that with how they were actually invested, and then allowed them to decide if they wanted to utilize BeManaged’s management or advice services.
Read More401(k) Investors: Keep Retirement Planning Simple
The video below is a very concise, simple advice on planning for your retirement by focusing on the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid (I have to remind myself of this all of the time).
Here are some key points covered to focus on:
Save – You are responsible for your own future, do not expect the market’s returns to bail you out.
Understand Yourself – Risk is critical, so if you don’t understand it (most don’t), get some help.
Don’t Chase Returns – It’s a “loser’s game” based on the emotional response we have with this strategy.
401k Investors – Why Many Investors Keep Fooling Themselves
As an investor, understanding what is possible and what is fantasy is very important to understand. One of the biggest fantasies we see in our 1on1 consultations with 401(k) investors are those individuals that have a “return goal” for their account. Thus, they will chase returns throughout their plan, from one fund to another, often missing the actual big returns of that fund.
Read MoreREGULATION: New deadline granted for advice bill
After throwing the early ’09 DoL proposal in the trash, which would have allowed for conflicted advice to be delivered to 401k investors, there is some urgency in getting this done. Fast. And right.
Read MoreHow picky is picky? Advice regs an unknown – Investment News
A hybrid of these regulatory offerings could be just want investment-advice-hungry 401(k) participants ordered, but we will have to wait and see.
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