Supreme Court Lowers Bar for ERISA Lawsuits A recent Supreme Court ruling has changed the rules of the game for retirement plan lawsuits — and it could make life more challenging for plan sponsors. On April 17, 2025, the Court issued a unanimous decision in Cunningham v. Cornell University that makes it easier for certain ERISA lawsuits to move forward, potentially leading to more cases, higher litigation costs, and increased settlement pressure. At the heart of the case is t

Planning for a Longer Retirement is a Must-Do Conduct a thorough longevity risk assessment using modern planning tools Perhaps the most daunting challenge facing today’s retirees is longevity risk – the possibility that retirement savings will be depleted while the retiree is still living. With life expectancies steadily increasing, this is no longer a hypothetical concern. According to recent actuarial data, a 65-year-old couple in 2025 has a 50% chance that at least one spo

Pre-Retirement Financial Checklist: Get Your Financial House in Order Are you within a few years of retirement? Now is the perfect time to get your financial house in order. Here’s what to include on your pre-retirement financial checklist:401(k) Plans Decide what to do with your current 401(k). You generally have three options: • Leave the assets with your soon-to-be-former employer. • Roll them into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). • Take a distribution (note: this l

Retirement: Inflation and Purchasing Power Risks Safeguarding your real income with a practical plan and emotional resilience Inflation may no longer be making front-page news, but its aftershocks continue to ripple through retirement budgets across America. Even with a decline from pandemic-era peaks, everyday prices for essentials – such as food, housing, and healthcare – remain stubbornly elevated. According to recent U.S. Retirement Survey by Schroders, 92% of retirees ex

A Primer in College Funding & Education Savings “You can borrow for college, but you cannot borrow for your retirement" Education remains one of the most important investments families make. With tuition costs rising faster than inflation, planning for college is a cornerstone of comprehensive financial planning. As of 2025, the average annual tuition at a four-year public university exceeds $11,000 (in-state) and $29,000 (out-of-state), while many private universities surpas

PEPs Gaining Ground, But One Size May Not Fit All The Department of Labor (DOL) is asking for public input on how to support small businesses that want to adopt pooled employer plans (PEPs), a signal that regulators see these arrangements as one way to help close the coverage gap. PEPs have gained significant traction since they first became effective in 2021. PEPs expand on the MEP model by addressing two features that previously complicated participation in these plans. Fir

Rising Markets Don’t Lift All Participants Markets have been flirting with record highs on a regular basis, but not all employees are riding the wave toward retirement readiness. According to Vanguard’s How America Saves 2025, participation and/or balances still lag for low-income workers, young employees, women, and those with short tenure. These segments face unique hurdles that statistical averages may conceal. Forward-thinking plan sponsors can respond with non-fiduciary

Other Benefits Development Prescription drug costs remain one of the biggest challenges for both employers and employees. The executive orders call for greater transparency and accountability in drug pricing. For plan sponsors, this is a reminder to regularly review plan design, negotiate with vendors, and explore tools that can help employees access medications at lower costs. A proactive approach here not only protects your budget but also shows employees you’re invested in

Retirement May Be Your Next Adventure Retirement could often be seen as the “end of the road,” but that idea may not fit everyone. Your retirement could be a new chapter than a closing one. While some may choose to move into semi-retirement, mixing part-time work with more free time for their family, hobbies, or travel. Others could explore second careers, sometimes in completely different fields they’ve always been curious about. And many may use the time to volunteer, start