Category: Defined Contribution Plans and Sponsors
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Fiduciary Papers #16: The Annuitization Decision and the Need for Conflict-Free Advice
In recent years a major development has occurred with respect to annuities … more and more insurance companies are offering annuity products with no commissions. These products can deliver more of the returns of the capital markets to the consumer. If offered to plan participants, such products could greatly enhance a retiree’s financial security and…
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Fiduciary Papers #15: The Prudent Investor Rule, 401k Accounts, and Tax-Efficient Investing
In the 401(k) world there has for many years been the option for plan participants to contribute to Roth 401(k) accounts, rather than traditional 401(k) account. For contributions to Roth accounts, no income tax deduction is provided, but (subject to certain requirements) the Roth account permits income-tax-free distributions after age 59-1/2 years. 401(k) accounts, and…
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Fiduciary Papers #14: It’s Time to End Commissions and Revenue Sharing
It is possible that all commission-based compensation involving the sale of investment products, life insurance products, and annuities could be eliminated. And it would be right and just to do so. Every commission can be transformed into a clearly understandable fixed fee that would be paid directly by the consumer. There is no need today…
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Fiduciary Papers #13: Stockbrokers and Insurance Agents: The Use of Titles May Trigger Fiduciary Status Under State Common Law (and Now Under ERISA)
Can the use of a title – such as “financial planner” (or CFP) or “financial consultant” or “wealth manager” or “investment consultant” or similar – by the registered represent of a broker-dealer firm, and/or by an insurance agent, result in the application of fiduciary duties? The short answer is “yes” (in many instances). The use…
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Revisiting the Expected Returns of Various Asset Classes
September 30, 2023 After a stellar first half of 2023, the third quarter of 2023 saw losses in most U.S. stock asset classes, and even more significant losses in many U.S. real estate-related asset classes. Despite a dismal September, for the quarter foreign developed markets and emerging markets fared generally better. While there are many…
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Fiduciary Papers #11: Benchmarks for Comparing Investment Portfolio Strategies
Before choosing specific securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.), a preliminary step in portfolio design is discerning the investment strategies that should be utilized. The choice of investment strategies, in turn, should be analyzed against a proper benchmark. At its very core, investing is either about owning a portion of companies (equity investing, or stocks),…