Roth 401(k)s Are an Essential Employee Benefit

Employee retirement readiness is at the forefront of plan sponsor concerns. As a result, many plan sponsors are adding the option for Roth 401(k) contributions of their plan. Roth 401(k)s were first introduced in 2006, and while the adoption rate by employers was initially slow, it has since skyrocketed. As many as 70% of 401(k) plans now offer Roth 401(k) options, alongside the traditional 401(k). While the Roth 401(k) option is not for everyone, plan sponsors should consider providing this option to give employees additional retirement savings options. Having this feature as part of the employee benefits package will make your 401(k) plan more attractive and will allow your organization to remain competitive to attract and retain top talent. We have outlined important points to keep in mind if you’re considering adding a Roth 401(k) option to your plan.

Addressing Conflicts of Interest

In today’s ever-changing regulatory environment, there is increasing pressure on retirement plan sponsors (from the DOL) and their plan advisors (from the SEC) to address conflicts of interest. The ultimate goal of the new guidelines is to protect your retirement plan participants. More specifically, the DOL and SEC want your employees to receive unbiased advice and to be protected from paying unreasonable fees.

Driving Plan Participation Through Education Efforts

Sponsors know too well that a lot of planning and consideration goes into the design and maintenance of a retirement plan. But much of that hard work is futile without employee participation. Most employees understand the benefit of saving for retirement, and many are willing to invest funds in their employer’s program. However, they may lack basic understanding of how retirement plans work and may not be confident in selecting investment options on their own. Employees need to understand the benefits of the plan and how to use it in order to recognize its value. A robust employee education program can play a significant role in improving plan participation rates and will reinforce the value of the plan to employees.

Defined Contribution Plan Concerns for 2019

As 2018 comes to a close, plan sponsors will want to make sure they understand the current landscape in the retirement plan industry along with potential concerns they may face for the coming year. With more scrutiny over fiduciary roles, it is important to be pro-active and actionable. However, many sponsors don’t realize that there are greater responsibilities beyond setting up and maintaining the retirement plan program. We have outlined the common concerns for 2019 that plan sponsors share regarding their defined contribution plans.