Transamerica Survey Reveals That Women's Retirement Security May Be at Risk - Summary: The sixth annual Transamerica Small Business Retirement Survey of employed adults shows that women in the United States are less prepared for retirement than men and face continuing challenges in planning for a financially secure future. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Firing Human Resources Director for Raising 401k Operational Violation - Summary: Other courts that have considered the "inquiry" aspect of ERISA Section 510 have come down on both sides of the issue. The more remarkable aspect of the decision is the amicus brief filed by the Secretary of Labor, with its strongly worded policy considerations in favor of protecting internal complaints and inquiries by providing a potential right of action under ERISA Section 510. Located at: Employee Benefits Institute of America. Click on headline for full article.

New Bankruptcy Law - Good News for Tax Exempt Retirement Plans and Participants - Summary: The new bankruptcy law, signed by the President on April 20, 2005, provides broad protections for benefits under tax-exempt retirement funds. Basically, here is how the law will operate. Located at: Ice Miller. Click on headline for full article.

Amount of 401k Investments in Company Stock - Summary: Charts from Watson Wyatt show the percentage of 401k assets that are invested in company stock and whether employers require their employees to put matching funds in company stock. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.

Lifecycle Funds Can Help Companies Mitigate Risk and Boost Employee Savings - Summary: The funds, which rebalance based on the investor's retirement age, are gaining popularity. But getting workers to use them correctly has its own set of problems. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.

Who's Using Lifestyle Funds - Summary: A set of charts showing use of lifestyle funds, including breakdowns by age, gender, salary and tenure. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration required) (PDF file). Click on headline for full article.

'I.Q. Quiz' Shows Knowledge of Investment Basics Lacking - Summary: According to American Century Investments' On Plan I.Q. Quiz, a 10-question test taken by more than 800 investors, knowledge of some of the most basic investment concepts is poor. Only 2 percent of the investors surveyed answered all 10 questions correctly. On average, participants selected about half of the correct responses on the multiple choice test, which was given to individuals who have investments outside of a company retirement plan. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

A Nest Egg That's A No-Brainer - Summary: Automatic enrollment is just the first step. Companies also are automatically increasing worker contributions over their careers, defaulting workers into "lifestyle" mutual funds, and offering more investment advice for employees. Taken together, these changes could alter America's chronic personal savings shortfall. Located at: Businessweek.com. Click on headline for full article.

Companies Get Creative With Retirement Communication - Summary: Companies are becoming increasingly creative in their efforts to boost interest in their retirement plans. While a big budget is one way to ensure a clever and engaging communications strategy, more traditional and affordable approaches also exist. Many companies are recognizing that simply coordinating their approach makes a big difference. Located at: Benefitnews.com. Click on headline for full article.

Fiduciary Issues

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The Perils of Holding Company Stock in Sponsored Plans - Summary: In this paper, authors Bob Eccles and Dave Gordon deliver a broad overview of recent employer stock litigation, fiduciary duties with regard to company stock, and one's status as a fiduciary and co-fiduciary. They also offer important suggestions for mitigating fiduciary liability, including a checklist of best practices. Located at: Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (PDF file). Click on headline for full article.

Attorneys Ready to Hang Suits on Fees - Summary: Krispy Kreme is just the latest brand name to top-line a complaint about its retirement plan holding too much company stock. The doughnut maker is in good company, joining Enron, Lucent and others at the table of fiduciary irresponsibility. However, many ERISA attorneys and other retirement plan consultants believe that fee complaints by plan participants, not company stock suits, are the more insidious threat, given the increasing complexity of retirement plans and the corresponding lack of knowledge exhibited by plan fiduciaries. Located at: Benefitnews.com. Click on headline for full article.

An Investment Policy Statement, Done Right, is Vital - Summary: The preparation and maintenance of an investment policy statement is one of the most important functions performed by an investment fiduciary. Yet with many lawyers, it remains one of the most contentious investment fiduciary practices. Located at: Investment News (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.