There is a sizable number of pre-retirees and retirees who do not enlist the assistance of a professional when devising a financial plan for their retirement, according to a recent study. It also takes a look at how they do in the effort. READ MORE

A new survey finds that, among plans automatically enrolling participants, 7 in 10 use all three features of an autopilot program, but the adoption rate varies by plan size. READ MORE

In MarketBeat, Susan Diehl provides a brief explanation of the guidance that has been presented on Prototype/Volume Submitter 403(b) approvals and the importance of counting hours for adjunct professors in light of that. READ MORE

In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder tells us who needs to sign off on the rollover of a 403(b) account established in 2006 and what the employer’s role is. READ MORE

In MarketBeat, Linda Segal Blinn discusses the rules for special pay features that became popular after EGTRRA enabled 403(b) sponsors to make employer nonelective contributions to the 403(b) account of a former employee. READ MORE

Financial reporting standards the Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) set in place in Statement 74 last year are effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2016 for a variety of retirement plans that provide postemployment benefits other than pension benefits (OPEB). READ MORE

A June 20 session of the SPARK National Conference held in Washington, DC. featured a discussion of data security. READ MORE

Look for a bill to be introduced in Congress next month that some have called “auto-IRA on steroids.” READ MORE

Panel discussions at the June 20-21 SPARK National Conference in Washington, DC offered insights into the effects the DOL fiduciary rule is already having and how the retirement industry can prepare in the less than 10 months remaining before its effective date. READ MORE

Strong majorities of executives, investment professionals and registered investment advisors at a recent conference expect to change their technological systems in order to comply with the fiduciary rule, as well as adjust their budgets to do that. READ MORE

There are plenty of financial pressures on DC plans, providers and sponsors. Not to mention the importance clients place on fees when considering whether to drop an investment manager. In a June 20 session at the 2016 SPARK National Conference held in Washington, D.C., Tom Kmak, CEO of Fiduciary Benchmarks, offered some ideas on how it can be addressed. READ MORE

The three lawsuits filed against the Department of Labor’s (DOL) fiduciary regulation in the Northern District of Texas could be coming together. READ MORE

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver recently included a segment that was deeply critical of the financial services industry and specifically referenced the 401(k) plan that the show’s production company has with John Hancock. Here’s John Hancock’s response. READ MORE

You may have missed it, but you’ll likely be hearing a lot about John Oliver’s take on retirement savings, financial advisors, small plans, and the fiduciary regulation. Warning: It isn’t pretty. READ MORE

Last week, House Republicans released the first of six documents detailing their policy agenda, a portion of which included recommendations to “build retirement security through the private retirement system.” READ MORE

In MarketBeat, Robert Toth discusses issues that need to be addressed concerning 403(b)s and collective investment trusts (CITs). READ MORE

In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder discusses asset exchanges regarding 403(b) plans. READ MORE

With the official Atlantic hurricane season just begun, it's timely to remember the possibility of significant property losses and business disruption — and the need for hardship distributions from 403(b)s, 457s and 401(k)s. READ MORE

In Tech Talk, Ellie Lowder tells us whether individual 403(b) participant accounts can be considered individual contracts unless the third party administrator chooses to change the contract into a group contract. READ MORE

By the end of last year, 403(b) plans contained nearly $1 trillion in assets; a recent paper takes a closer look at this significant part of the U.S. retirement landscape. READ MORE