PLANSPONSOR Magazine

COVER

Boiling Point

The corporate governance wars are heating up, and on
more than one front. Last month, responses were still pouring
into the Securities and Exchange Commission over its proposed
new rules for how shareholder proposals are
submitted.

Table of Contents |February 1998

For The PBGC, a Judgement and an Audit

A court ruling defines when the agency is-and is not-bound by fiduciary duties. Meanwhile, an audit begins of delays in benefits notifications
Table of Contents |February 1998

Sundeep Anand, Treasurer, the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution's none-too-modest mandate is to stimulate "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." This was the mission set forth in 1826 by founder and benefactor James Smithson,...
Table of Contents |February 1998

Big Blue’s Pension Makeover

IBM's pension team has restructured $79 billion in global assets to cut costs, improve returns, and make IBM pension plans in 45 countries work more closely together. Here's...
Table of Contents |February 1998

“Rationalizing” the Plan Participant

Understanding behavioral concepts can help plan sponsors improve the design of their defined contribution plans and participants' ability to make the best use of them, experts say.
Table of Contents |February 1998

Combat Zone

One of these days, Vietnam could still be an Asian investment star. But a closer look at this evolving economy points up the pitfalls of emerging markets for...
Table of Contents |February 1998

“Equitization” and Its Agonies

Stock ownership in Vietnam is not easy. Buying shares in so-called "equitized" companies is next to impossible, joint ventures are wobbling, and local entrenreneurs are hard to find
Table of Contents |February 1998

Hot Hand, Cool Reception

Direct IPO investing is producing heady returns for some plans. Will more jump in?
Table of Contents |February 1998

New Investment Opportunities in Real Estate

The real estate market has undoubtedly entered a flush period. Private investors, real estate investment trusts, and limited partnerships are all scanning the landscape in search of buying...
Table of Contents |February 1998

Building a Better Nest Egg

How "DROPs" can help employers with defined benefit plans to keep key employees
Table of Contents |February 1998

Pay-to-Play

Scrutiny of unethical practices at public funds is intensifying. But will self-policing efforts succeed?
Table of Contents |February 1998

The SEC’s Proxy Fight

Suggestions for streamlining the shareholder proposal process ignite fury from activists
Table of Contents |February 1998

Downsizing’s Aftershock

How Ceridian lost a court battle over the size of lump-sum early retirement benefits
Table of Contents |February 1998

Multiemployer Pension Plans

Why preserve multiemployer plans? Workers get pensions organized for today's and tomorrow's needs