Common Plan Sponsor Misconceptions

Plan sponsors have to manage many moving parts in their retirement plans. Arranging plan options, managing compliance, increasing participation, educating participants and most importantly, adhering to fiduciary obligations can feel like an overwhelming responsibility. Due to the large amount of work in starting and maintaining their retirement plan, sponsors often overlook certain aspects that may expose them to potential liability.  Additionally, some plan sponsors are unaware of the ongoing fiduciary duties which can result in misconceptions about the plan and its participants. These misconceptions can be costly, and sponsors may find themselves in trouble with the IRS or the Department of Labor.

Here are five common misconceptions plan sponsors have – and why they are likely wrong.

How Regulation Best Interest Could Impact Non-ERISA 403(b) Plans

In April of this year, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a new set of guidelines to better govern relationships between professional financial advisers and broker-dealers and those of their individual clients. These suggestions, collectively dubbed Regulation Best Interest, could reshape the relationships between individual investors and the professionals who advise them by ensuring that a broader swath of those relationships requires the broker-dealer to act in the best interests of the client.