Survey by Callan Associates Tracks Changing DC Practices - Summary: Shrinking investment options and more advice are what sponsors of America's defined contributions plans believe best serve their employees. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.
More Firms Move Toward Automatic 401k Enrollment - Summary: As pension plans appear to be in a death spiral and Americans face the specter of Social Security shortfalls, at least some companies are attempting to transform their 401k plans into stronger safety nets. Located at: Investor's Business Daily. Click on headline for full article.
Hewitt Study Shows More Companies Putting 401k Plans on Autopilot - Summary: An increasing number of employers are stepping up their efforts to encourage workers to save and invest for retirement by offering tools that put their 401k plans on autopilot, according to a new study by Hewitt Associates. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.
Exchange-Traded Funds: Less Expense for 401k Plans - but at a Price? - Summary: As the venerable 401k plan celebrates its 25th anniversary, new, more sophisticated wrinkles like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are beginning to pop up on 401k plan management screens. Located at: Society for Human Resource Management. Click on headline for full article.
Advisers Slow to Embrace Roth 401ks - Summary: The new accounts, which combine the features of Roth individual retirement accounts with those of traditional 401ks, are slated to make their debut in January. But so far, relatively few financial advisers are well versed in the ins and outs of these new accounts, according to industry experts. Located at: Investment News (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.
Knowing the Score on 401ks - Summary: Do the mutual funds in your 401k plan pass the close examination of a fiduciary - the person or group charged with making fund choices that may affect the quality of your diet in retirement? We'll learn the good news - and a surprise - about some of the big ones. Located at: Dallas Morning News (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.
The Roth 401k: A Hidden Wealth-Transfer Treasure for High Income Taxpayers - Summary: Do you know that the Roth 401k provides a retirement and estate planning treasure for our country's highest income taxpayers? The technical overviews provided by the major law and consulting firms allude to, but don't reveal, this hidden treasure. The investment experts at the Motley Fool also wrote about it, but so far, they too got fooled. Located at: Milberg Consulting. Click on headline for full article.
Pension Reform
Retirement Savings and Security Act (Smith-Conrad) - Summary: This bill, introduced by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), would promote automatic enrollment, expand credits for low- and moderate-income workers, allow employees to transfer balances from flexible spending accounts to their retirement accounts and allow for direct deposit of tax refunds. Located at: American Benefits Council (PDF file). Click on headline for full article.
Technical Tips
Form 5500 Reporting Delinquent Contributions Requirement - Summary: Must delinquent participant contributions continue to be reported on Line 4a of Form 5500 for every year until they are corrected? Located at: Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen. Click on headline for full article.
Department of Labor and IRS Issues
Simplified and Expanded Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program - Summary: The Employee Benefits Security Administration recently proposed changes to the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program. Although the changes are not yet final, plan fiduciaries can use the revised and expanded VFC program immediately. Located at: McDermott Will & Emery. Click on headline for full article.
IRS Proposes Rules on Retirement Plan Benefits and Contributions - Summary: The IRS has released proposed rules on the limitations on benefits and contributions for retirement plans, putting together in one comprehensive document numerous statutory and regulatory pronouncements that have been issued since 1981. Located at: Milliman USA (PDF file). Click on headline for full article.
2006 National Summit on Retirement Savings; Request for Information - Summary: This document requests comments from the public for the purpose of developing a comprehensive agenda for the third National Summit on Retirement Savings (2006 National Summit), tentatively planned to be convened in early March, 2006. Located at: U.S. Department of Labor. Click on headline for full article.
IRS Advisory Group Recommends Retirement Plan Practitioner Program - Summary: Several thousand TPAs, consultants and other retirement plan service providers would be expected to register with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if the agency creates a new practitioner category as is now being recommended. Located at: Plansponsor.com (free registration required). Click on headline for full article.
DOL and SEC Publish Tips for Plan Fiduciaries - Summary: In light of the issues raised by the SEC report, these tips offer plan fiduciaries practical guidance to help them prudently monitor their current pension consultants and select new ones. Each question is followed by brief commentary that plan fiduciaries also will find helpful. This guidance is a must-read for plan fiduciaries, pension consultants, money managers, and other service providers to understand potential areas of conflict and necessary disclosure of business relationships. Located at: Employee Benefits Institute of America. Click on headline for full article.
Services 
