PLANSPONSOR Magazine

COVER

2007 PLANSPONSOR DC Survey: Picking Up the Pace

Two years ago, we wrote about the “next level” in defined contribution designs—a growing interest on the part of plan sponsors in focusing on service elements like participation rates, deferral amounts, and appropriate asset allocation—a precursor, if you will, for the designs that would eventually come to a fuller fruition in the Pension Protection Act.

War Stories |November 2007

November 2007

We all have them: those front-line experiences that are -inevitable when one deals with the variety—and sensitivity—of issues associated with human beings and critical life events. Sometimes those...
Survey Says |November 2007

What’s Your Employee Identifier?

Managing to keep personal information has always been a key concern in our business—and we've recently seen instances where there have been inadvertent disclosures that have caused embarrassment,...
Bells & Whistles |November 2007

November 2007

Each month, Bells & Whistles -highlights recent product -introductions that plan -sponsors may find of interest. More -information on these -announcements can be found on www.plansponsor.com.
Bells & Whistles |November 2007

Another Look at ETFs: November 2007

As a regular feature in PLANSPONSOR (and in PLANADVISER as Hot off the Presses), Bells & Whistles ­highlights recent product introductions­ that our readers may find of interest.
Bells & Whistles |November 2007

Another Look at ETFs: November 2007

As a regular feature in PLANSPONSOR (and in PLANADVISER as Hot off the Presses), Bells & Whistles ­highlights recent product introductions­ that our readers may find of interest.
Feature |November 2007

Getting Prepared for the PPA – Defined Benefit

In some respects, the basic principles of the Pension Protection Act were outlined, debated, and, in many cases, refined well ahead of its August 2006 passage into law....
Feature |November 2007

PPA Opens the Way – Defined Contribution

Currently, less than 50% of Quiksilver Inc.'s eligible employees participate in the company's 401(k). That, however, should change on January 1, 2008, when employees will begin to be...
Head of the Class |November 2007

Fogged In?

The credit crunch squeezes real estate investments.
The Bottom Line |November 2007

New Latitude

The Labor Department issues guidelines for fiduciaries picking a defined contribution plan annuity provider.
Total Benefits |November 2007

Viva VEBA

When General Motors Corp. announced a landmark agreement that will let the company shift $47 billion in retiree-medical liabilities, it undoubtedly inspired other employers to take a second...
Case Sensitive |November 2007

“Dire” Circumstance

Jane Edgar v. Avaya, Inc.; Garry McGuire, Sr.; Donald K. Peterson; Joseph P. Landy; Richard F. Wallman; Bruce Lasko; and John Does 1-30
Rules/Regs |November 2007

Breathing Room

As October wound to a close, the Department of Labor finally published the much-anticipated final regulations on qualified default investment alternatives (QDIAs) under participant-directed indi­vidual account plans.
Barry's Pickings |November 2007

Free To Choose

Often, when I hear a presentation by some behavioral economist about the virtues of exploiting employee passivity to increase participation and improve asset-allocation decisions in 401(k) plans—a.k.a. automatic...
Saxon Angle |November 2007

Alternative “Investment”

For years, plan sponsors have relied on ERISA section 404(c), which enables a plan sponsor to avoid liability for the investment of plan assets where participants direct the...
Just out of Reish |November 2007

To Roth or Not To Roth?

Is it time to think about adding a Roth feature to your plan?
Special Report |November 2007

Nouveau Niche

For connoisseurs of the exotic, a new breed of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) should appeal.
Special Report |November 2007

Another Look at ETFs. Under New Management

It has become well established that 401(k) participants do not have the time, skill, or inclination to manage their 401(k) accounts. "Participants are supposed to be good investment...
Special Report |November 2007

Another Look at ETFs: Inside the Guide

Several months ago, I had a modest amount of money that I wanted to invest for the short term. I wasn't exactly sure just how long—longer than overnight,...
Special Report |November 2007

Nouveau Niche

For connoisseurs of the exotic, a new breed of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) should appeal.
Special Report |November 2007

Another Look at ETFs. Under New Management

It has become well established that 401(k) participants do not have the time, skill, or inclination to manage their 401(k) accounts. "Participants are supposed to be good investment...