Help Participants Stay On Course in Turbulent Times

Help Participants Stay On Course in Turbulent Times

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The recent stock market turbulence associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been described as a crash, a “meltdown,” and a “disaster.” Even investors who are committed to staying the course can find it hard to overcome the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Plan sponsors can help participants to stay the course by reminding them that short-term market fluctuations, even unprecedented ones, should not affect their long-term investment goals. Learn more about what plan sponsors should do to calm jittery participants and help them stay on course.

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Securing Retirement Plans: Cybersecurity Best Practices

Securing Retirement Plans: Cybersecurity Best Practices

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Trillions of dollars are held in US retirement accounts, according to the Investment Company Institute. This tremendous value in assets is a tempting target for those seeking to compromise personal data or gain access to these accounts. And with plan participants becoming increasingly reliant on mobile apps and online platforms to access and monitor their retirement funds, it seems that more cyberattacks on retirement plans are inevitable in our digital world. Plan sponsors and their fiduciaries should consider taking proactive steps to protect their participants and their plan assets. We review retirement plans cybersecurity best practices that plan sponsors should consider to adhere to safeguard against cyberattacks.

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Benefits of an OCIO Search Consultant

Benefits of an OCIO Search Consultant

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The outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) model continues to expand in its adoption and complexity. Nearly $2 trillion in assets are under OCIO management and is expected to grow significantly. There are many reasons it can make sense to outsource your chief investment officer (CIO) functions and duties, but finding the right OCIO manager is not an easy task. This is why it’s expected—and highly recommended—to partner with an OCIO search consultant who can guide both the Board of Directors and the Investment Committee through the selection process. Learn more about the key qualities of an OCIO search consultant and how your organization can benefit from a well-vetted consultant.

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Creating an Effective Investment Policy Statement

Creating an Effective Investment Policy Statement

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Retirement plan sponsors aren’t required to have an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) for their plan. However, having a written statement in place can facilitate your organization’s plan meeting federal and state regulations and fulfilling the fiduciary duties of a plan sponsor and/or their committee. However, not all policy statements are created equal, and there are a few topics every IPS should cover. Learn about what should be included in an effective Investment Policy Statement and how a well-crafted IPS can lighten the load of a committee that’s tasked with difficult plan decisions.

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403(b) Sales Practices in Question

403(b) Sales Practices in Question

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Over the past few months, we have seen several news stories that raised concerns about insurance companies and their retirement plan sales practices. For example, here is an article that was published in late 2019 by The Wall Street Journal:

Based on the investigations that have reportedly been launched by the New York Department of Financial Services, as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), how should retirement plan sponsors respond?

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