IRS Issues Guidance on Withdrawals for Domestic Abuse Victims In late June, the IRS issued a notice providing critical guidance on early withdrawal penalty exemptions under the SECURE 2.0 Act. The law includes significant provisions for individuals experiencing domestic violence, an issue that has affected millions across the U.S.The gap between availability and engagement suggests the need for a more targeted and tactical approach. To help increase utilization rates, plan sp

Mom & Pop are Quietly Shaping Housing Market Their powerful influence underscores the evolving nature of real estateOver the past few years, a quiet yet transformative trend has emerged in the housing market: the rise of mom-and-pop investors. While institutional buyers often dominate headlines, new data from CoreLogic's Q3 2024 report highlights a different reality. It reveals that smaller-scale investors are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the housing ma

Is the S&P 500 Really Just a Technology Fund? Still a strong investment tool, its growing tech weight presents a challenge For decades, the S&P 500 Index has been considered the gold standard for broad market exposure. Investors have flocked to it for diversification, risk aversion, and reliable long-term growth. But given its current makeup, has the index lost its original appeal? Is it still a diversified benchmark of the U.S. economy, or has it effectively become a technol

Five Key Strategies for a Successful Retirement As tax laws evolve and personal financial situations change, it’s essential to stay informed about strategies that can help minimize your tax burden. Here are several tips to consider: 1. Start Saving Early and Consistently The earlier you begin saving for retirement, the more you can take advantage of compound interest. Contributing regularly to retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA can significantly boost your savings over

Market Turmoil Spurs Trading, but Staying Put Pays Off The U.S. stock market suffered its worst day in five years on Friday, April 4, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average all posted significant losses. Despite the turbulence, financial experts continue to advise retirement plan investors to “stay the course” rather than react impulsively. According to Alight Solutions, stock market volatilit

The Retirement Planning Gap Affecting Two in Three Investors Despite the importance of retirement planning, a staggering 67% of investors admit to spending no time at all working on it in a typical month, according to a recent survey conducted by the Nationwide Retirement Institute. That’s a vast majority of investors failing to take even small steps toward securing their financial future. For plan sponsors, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Not Just a Proble

More Retirees Take the Gold Watch, But Keep Their 401(k) Assets In-Plan A recent Fidelity report reveals that over 80% of plan sponsors prefer to allow employees to keep their assets in-plan and withdraw them over time. The number of workers aged 55 and older has increased by 74% over the past two decades, prompting plan sponsors to focus more on how participants transition from saving for retirement to living in it. 60% of retirees using Fidelity’s platform stayed in their e

Participant Corner - Four Basic Steps for a Successful Retirement We understand that most retirement savers aren’t financial experts, and that can make preparing for retirement feel overwhelming. The good news is that achieving a successful retirement doesn’t have to be complicated. By following a few basic steps, you could set yourself up for long-term financial security. Start Saving Now and Learn the Basics of Saving and Investing The earlier you begin saving, the better y

Basic Fiduciary Obligations for New Plan Sponsors Threats of financial penalties and legal liabilities heighten the need for proper compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Let’s go over the basics of what it means to be a fiduciary in an organization’s retirement plan. What is a Fiduciary? In basic terms, a fiduciary is a person or group in a company that is responsible for the retirement plan and does what is best for the participants in