Don't Take Forfeitures for Granted Retirement plans have long subjected employer contributions to vesting schedules, rewarding tenure by increasing the participant’s ownership in those contributions in proportion to their years of service. However, several law firms have recently challenged this long-standing and common practice, arguing that using forfeitures to offset employer contributions is not in the best interests of participants or beneficiaries, as ERISA requires. Wh

Managed Accounts Offer a More Personalized Approach Target-date funds have long played a vital role in giving American workers access to professional help when establishing and maintaining a diversified investment portfolio. However, the glide paths — the balance of stocks, bonds, and cash — that serve as the foundation for these platforms has traditionally been based on a single consideration: the participant’s projected date of retirement. To be fair, target-date funds have

Participant Corner: Saving in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, and Up... What Changes? No matter how old you are, it’s never too early (or late) to save money for retirement. Each decade comes with different goals, investment types, and risk factors, but understanding the difference can help you be prepared for when your retirement comes around. Entering the Workforce: Your 20s Your early career is going to be the most important time to save money in your retirement. With compound interes

How One Powerful Habit Can Transform Your Life The annual checkup is critical for your long-term health and your wealth Each year, we visit a doctor – not because we’re sick, but to make sure we’re not. Preventive care detects early issues and provides confidence that we’re on track. The same principle applies to your financial life. An annual financial review is your fiscal physical: a chance to confirm your plan’s vitality, adjust course, and sleep better at night. Yet many

The Unsung (Unknown) Heroes of the NBA Finals What the NBA can teach us about financial advice and your retirement The 2025 NBA Finals are upon us, and the spotlight shines brightly on an unexpected but electrifying matchup: the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Indiana Pacers. The court is packed with young superstars and breakout talents who’ve turned heads all season long. From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s silky scoring to Tyrese Haliburton’s jaw-dropping court vision, fans are b

Sustain Business Profitability in Turbulent Times Strategic inflation and cost management decisions will help drive success Inflation remains a dominant force in today’s economy. Even as headline rates decline, businesses continue to grapple with rising input, labor, and overhead costs. Addressing these pressures demands more than cost-cutting – it requires strategic pricing, operational optimization, and financial foresight. Strategic Pricing: Beyond Cost-Plus Cost-plus pric

Implications of the U.S. Credit Rating Downgrade More of a signal about long-term fiscal challenges, not an immediate worry The recent downgrade of U.S. sovereign debt by Moody’s marks a significant moment in American financial history. For the first time, all three major credit rating agencies have removed the United States from their highest credit tier. As an investor, it’s essential to view this development within its historical context and consider its practical implicat

Engaging the TikTok Generation on Retirement Nearly a quarter of all Gen Z employees aren’t enrolled in a company retirement plan, according to BenefitsPro. That’s three times the rate of millennials, Gen X, and Boomers. In addition, 12% of Gen Zers don’t take advantage of any workplace benefits at all, twice the rate of other generations. Here are ways plan sponsors can help prevent their youngest workers from experiencing financial FOMO by sitting on the sidelines of their.

Rethinking Pension Surplus Dollars: Avoiding the Termination Trap As rising interest rates have reshaped pension funding dynamics post-COVID, many corporate defined benefit (DB) plans are now experiencing significant surpluses. According to actuarial firm Milliman, the 100 largest corporate DB plans, in aggregate, held an estimated $62 billion in excess assets as of December 2024. Under existing tax law, defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors have limited options for using t