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| Below is a list of news stories that have been previously featured on the
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May 2008 Obama-nomics: Michelle Has a 403(b) 5/9/08 — Michelle Obama has a 403(b) through her job with University of Chicago Hospitals, which makes available TIAA-CREF and Vanguard products. [Slate] Best Practices for 403(b) Plan Information Sharing 5/7/08 — Best practices with respect to the data elements for information sharing requirement. [SPARK] Students' Understanding of Personal Finance Weakens (DOC) 5/7/08 — For the first time on a Jump$tart survey, high school seniors' knowledge of personal finance dropped below 50 percent. [Jump$tart] 2007 403(b) Market Statistics 5/5/08 — The latest 403(b) contribution statistics are now available from the Spectrem Group. [403(b)wise] April 2008 The Collective Bargaining Dilemma 4/30/08 — Often overlooked in new regs is the inability to exclude collective bargaining employees from the right to make elective deferrals. [BNA Tax & Accounting] 403(b) FAQs from NAGDCA 4/28/08 — Plan Governance and Fiduciary Responsibility [NAGDCA] 403(b)igger Is Not Always Better 4/23/08 — When it comes to the size of a 403(b) plan's investment lineup, more isn't always better. (free login). [PlanSponsor] Wal-Mart Sued Over 401(k) Fees 4/22/08 — Missouri Wal-Mart employee and participant in its 401(k) plan has filed an excessive fee lawsuit (free login). [PlanSponsor] Ask Bob Architect 4/21/08 — Senior Tax Law Specialist and resident 403(b) expert fields questions on new regs. [IRS] Should Nonprofits Switch From 403(b) to 401(k)? 4/12/08 — Should burden of new 403(b) regs cause switch to 401(k)? [Fort William LLC] Draft of Best Practices for 403(b) Info Sharing (PDF) 4/8/08 — Excerpt: ... best practices with respect to the data elements for information sharing between 403(b) plan employers or employer representatives and vendors. [SPARK] Florida Plan Continues to be Model of Secrecy 4/2/08 — More empty praise for Florida's "Model Plan." [403(b)wise] What Happens to Discontinued 403(b) Contracts? 4/2/08 — Excerpt: There seems to be one question about vendor consolidation that hasn't been clearly addressed in general IRS publications (free login). [PlanSponsor] Can Written Plan Requirements Be Satisfied with Existing Documents? 4/2/08 — Excerpt: The preamble to the final regulations provides some explanation on this point. (free login). [PlanSponsor] March 2008 SPARK Asks for Pre-Approved 403(b) Prototype Plan Program and Regs Extension (DOC) 3/25/08 — Excerpt: The objective of our comment letter to the IRS is to help in the design of a pre-approved 403(b) plan program which is accessible to employers on a cost-effective basis. [SPARK] West Virginia Teachers' Pension Plan Revised 3/24/08 — Latest proposal offers chance to move from 401(k)-style plan to DB plan. [Education Week] 20th Century 403(b) Investing vs. 21st Century (PDF) 3/24/08 — Investor advocate compares old school 403(b) investing practices to new school practices. [Steve Schullo] Texas Retirement System Updates 403(b) Compliance 3/20/08 — Employers get a little more leeway as it relates to excluding vendors who fail to comply with new regulations; still can't boot them for offering lousy products. [TRS] Written Plan Requirement 3/20/08 — The main provisions regarding the written 403(b) plan and 403(b) contracts as outlined by the Groom Law Group (free login). [PlanSponsor] SPARK Institute Wants Extension for New 403(b) Regs 3/20/08 — Institute has filed a 13-page comment letter with IRS asking for delay of new regs. [planadvisor] 'Distributing' 403(b) Annuities 3/18/08 — New 403(b) regulations raise more questions than answers. [benefitsbizblog.com] IBM Raises the Bar with New 401(k) Plan 3/17/08 — Plan has it all including: auto-enrollment, customized life-cycle funds with rock-bottom fees, generous matching, free education and more. [Pensions & Investments] Agent Ad: Have You Taken Advantage of the Booming 403(b) Market? 3/11/08 — Excerpt: We've just announced new enhancements that will ignite your sales in this profitable market... Attractive commissions boost your income. [Great American] Securities Laws and 403(b) Plans 3/11/08 — One of the most striking differences between 403(b) plans and 401(k) plans is the way in which the Securities Act of 1933 and the Security Exchange Act of 1934 apply to them. [benefitsbizblog.com] Law Students Teach Financial Literacy at High School (pdf) 3/10/08 — University of New Mexico law students led discussions about credit cards, payday lending and compound interest during a financial literacy service day. [University of New Mexico] Helping Schools Gain Access to Low-Cost 403(b) Products (pdf) 3/4/08 — Article describes five methods — four of which require legal action — schools can use to gain access to low-cost investment products. [Michael Engdahl] 403(b) Final Regulations: Transfers and Exchanges 3/3/08 — Overview of new transfer rules that generally became effective September 24, 2007. (free login) [PlanSponsor] February 2008 403(b) Sponsors Want Help in Complying with New Regs 2/27/08 — Spectrem Group survey says sponsors looking for guidance. (free login) [PlanSponsor] New Florida 403(b) Plan: Model or More of the Same? 2/26/08 — New 403(b) plan claims to be a "model" plan; Fact, fiction or somewhere in between? [403(b)wise Discussion] Supreme Court Rules Workers Can Sue Over 401(k) Losses 2/22/08 — Workers gained a powerful weapon Wednesday by winning the right to sue employers when their retirement plans are mismanaged. [LA Times] Sovereign Immunity for School Districts 403(b) Fiduciary Choices? 2/20/08 — Some governmental employers have been warned that just because ERISA doesn't apply to their 403(b) plans, state trust and fiduciary laws do. [benefitsbizblog.com] Privacy and the New 403(b) Rules 2/11/08 — Opinion: There's a real monster lurking in the 403(b) bushes. [benefitsbizblog.com] School Workers Find Costlier Choices in Saving for Retirement 2/10/08 — Texas employees stuck with lots of high-cost 403(b) products; will have to look closely to find low-cost choices. [statesman.com] 403(b) Interests Excluded from Bankruptcy Turnover 2/1/08 — Excerpt: court found that the 403(b) plan sponsored by OhioHealth Corp. qualified as a trust that is excluded as property under bankruptcy law. [planadvisor] January 2008 Senate Passes Roth 457 1/29/08 — Excerpt: Differences between the House and Senate bills will have to be resolved in a conference, which is expected to take place early in 2008. [ICMA-RC] Rebroadcast of Final 403(b) Regulations Webcast 1/23/08 — Listen to January 22 broadcast of final 403(b) regulations webcast hosted by Bob Architect of IRS, Ed Derman of CalSTRS, and Rod Crane and Elaine Immerson of TIAA-CREF (free login). [NAGDCA] 403(b) Slim Down 1/21/08 — New regulations are spurring employers to trim number of vendors. [Pensions & Investments] WV Retirement Board Loses Appeal for Teacher Plans Merger 1/15/08 — Excerpt: WV Supreme Court declined to review a lower court ruling over the merger of the state's two retirement systems covering teachers (free login). [Plan Sponsor] 2006 Comparative Study of Major Public Employee Retirement Systems (pdf) 1/14/08 — Excerpt: This report compares significant features of major state and local public employee retirement systems in the United States. [Wisconsin Legislative Council] New Retirement Funds to Challenge Annuities? 1/7/08 — Some observers believe structured retirement payout funds such as these represent a new generation of products that stand in direct competition to annuities. [Financial Advisor] More 401(k) Fee Cases Are in the Works 1/1/08 — Excerpt: Lawsuits put an intense spotlight on revenue-sharing practices of providers that receive money from investment managers. [Workforce] December 2007 New Law To Expand Reach of 401(k)s 12/23/07 — It is now easier for employers to automatically enroll employees. [Washington Post] Is it a Violation of Texas Law for 403(b) Vendors to Act as TPAs? 12/21/07 — Rep. Vickie Truitt, Chair of the Texas House Pensions and Investments Committee, is looking into this issue. [tasanet] > Whither Goes the 403(b) Market in 2008? (pdf) 12/13/07 — Don't the new IRS permanent regulations on 403(b) plans spell the end of this market as we have known it for decades? [Still River] 403(b): New Rules, New Risks, New Consequences 12/12/07 — Employee benefits consultant Kara Tedesco outlines risks of new regs. [Milliman] Additional Guidance Provides Model Plan Language for Public School 403(b) Plans 12/11/07 — Overview of IRS model 403(b) plan language. [Gatekeeper] NTSAA Calls for Help in Developing 403(b) Data Standards 12/5/07 — Goal to devise data standards that will enable sharing of 403(b) plan information with plan sponsors and administrators, as necessitated by recent IRS regs (free login). [PlanSponsor] Grasping the New 403(b) Rules 12/5/07 — Changes provide opportunities for advisors [Investment Advisor] IRS Issues Model 403(b) Plan Language (pdf) 12/3/07 — Analysis of IRS model 403(b) plan. [Baker & Daniels] November 2007 Wither Low-Cost K-12 403(b) Investments? 11/29/07 — Will new information sharing rules drive low-cost vendors out of K-12 market? [403(b)wise] IRS Model 403(b) Plan Language (pdf) 11/27/07 — Excerpt: This revenue procedure provides model plan language that may be used by public schools... [IRS] Proposed Regulations for Automatic Contribution Arrangements 11/19/07 — Overview of proposed regulations relating to automatic contribution arrangements for DC plans. [Kilpatrick Stockton] Target Date Fund Winners ID'd 11/19/07 — Lipper ranks families in booming 401(k) niche; T. Rowe, Principal, Fidelity top list (free login). [Financial Week] Notes on Conducting Plan Committee Meetings 11/16/07 — Addresses agenda items for plan selection committee meetings (free login). [PlanSponsor] Auto Enrollment Guidance 11/8/07 — Summation of proposed regs for automatic enrollment into 403(b), 457(b) and 401(k). [Planadvisor] Proposed 403(b) Auto Enrollment Guidance (pdf) 11/8/07 — IRS proposed regs for automatic enrollment into 403(b), 457(b) and 401(k). [IRS] Model 403(b) Plan 11/5/07 — Simple recipe to ensure a quality, employee-friendly 403(b) that is in IRS compliance. [Morningstar] October 2007 Investing Information for Teachers and Students from SEC 10/26/07 — Information on teacher retirements plans and investing concepts for students. [SEC] 2008 Elective Deferral Limits for Employees of Non-Profit and Governmental Employers 10/24/07 — User-friendly chart shows 401(k); 403(b) and 457(b) contribution limits. [Prudential] Investor Empowerment Wiki Site Launched 10/24/07 — Goal: to enhance investor protection and increase the likelihood of successful investing through education; contributors sought. [Ted Siedle] PSCA To Conduct Benchmarking Study Of 403(b) 10/23/07 — The Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America (PSCA) to study 403(b) plan sponsor best practices. [Wolters Kluwer] 2008 Benefits Limit 10/23/07 — The IRS and the Social Security Administration have announced the cost-of-living adjustments for various benefit plan limits — including the 403(b) — for 2008 [Kilpatrick Stockton] New Fiduciary Responsibility for Employers 10/21/07 — Does your plan work to exclusive benefit of participant? [Milliman] 403(b) 2008 Contribution Limits Remain at $15,500 10/18/07 — Excerpt: The limitation under Section 402(g)(1) on the exclusion for elective deferrals described in Section 402(g)(3) — which covers the 403(b) — remains unchanged at $15,500; age 50 catchup remains at $5,000. [IRS] Get Familiar with the Facts (pdf) 10/15/07 — 403(b) regulations: understanding the changes. [Standard] Plan Sponsors Guide to New Regs 10/15/07 — Thorough overview of new regs. [Principal] Side-by-side Comparison of Old and New Regs 10/15/07 — Old and new regs in chart form and the implication for employers. [Principal] Blacks' Retirement Security at Risk 10/12/07 — Research suggests blacks participate in retirement plans at far lower rates than whites (free login). [Washington Post] Fleecing 403(b) Participants (Part 6) 10/8/07 — K-12 concern with liability and denial of responsibility reveals disconnect in thinking. [Morningstar] The "Free" Fallacy of TPAs (pdf) 10/3/07 — Opinion: Why "free" 403(b) TPAs are a bad idea. [Scott Dauenhauer] AIG VALIC Launches No-Load Mutual Fund Platform 10/1/07 — Cost of funds, which include T. Rowe Price and Wellington Management, range from .35% to 1.17% and average 0.8%. [BusinessWire] September 2007 Too Good to be True? (pdf) 9/27/07 — EIA claim: NO stock market risk and 11% match on deposits; reportedly surrender charge lasts 14 years and begins at 22%. [403(b)wise] Higher Ed Faculty Like a Few Choices in 403(b) Plan Vendors 9/24/07 — In survey of over 500 faculty in colleges and universities, Fidelity found 51% of faculty said having two to three 403(b) plan providers would be ideal (free login). [PlanSponsor] Fidelity Fighting for 403(b) Plan Market 9/24/07 — Anticipated IRS regulations spur 'renewed attention' to unseating giant TIAA-CREF. [Pensions & Investments] Keaton for CalSTRS Board (pdf) 9/24/07 — 403(b)wise endorses Sandy Keaton for CalSTRS Board. [403(b)wise] Vanguard On Board With New Transfer Rules 9/20/07 — Excerpt: "Please rest assured that we intend to comply with these regulations." [403(b)wise Discussion Board] 90-24 Rules Before and After September 24 Deadline 9/18/07 — NTSAA interpretation of transfer rules after discussion with IRS and Treasury officials. [NTSAA] Final 403(b) Regulations Issued by IRS Require Employer Action 9/18/07 — Overview of new 403(b) regulations. [Dechert] Theory of Life-Cycle Saving and Investing 9/17/07 — Excerpt: The theory teaches us to view financial assets as vehicles for transferring resources across different times and outcomes over the life cycle. [FRB] Nonprofit Workers Face Retirement-Plan Deadline 9/10/07 — Are you a teacher with a high-cost savings plan? New IRS rules this month will limit your ability to switch to a better one. [Money] Overview of New Regs 9/7/07 — Summation of new 403(b) regulations. [Seyfarth-Shaw] Shift 403(b) Assets by Sept. 24, or Else 9/6/07 — The 90-24 deadline is coming... [newsobserver.com] August 2007 IRS Working on Model 403(b) Plan 8/29/07 — IRS's Bob Architect said a "simple plan" is in the works. [Walter Kluwer] NEA Valuebuilder Introduces DirectInvest Online Product 8/29/07 — Excerpt: DirectInvest is designed for NEA members who feel comfortable making their own investing decisions. [NEA Member Benefits] 90-24 Transfers 8/24/07 — A look at 90-24 transfer before and after September 24 deadline. [McKay Hochman] New Regs Overview and Look at Hidden Fees (PDF) 8/22/07 — A look at the new regs and the high cost of hidden fees, particularly in annuity products. [Millman] 90-24 Outrage 8/16/07 — Virginia teachers feels effects of rapid termination of 90-24 transfer. [403(b)wise] Final Regs Under Section 403(b) (PDF) 8/14/07 — Concise verview of final regs. [Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP] New Transfer Rules Require Immediate Action 8/6/07 — New regs "may functionally require changes in procedures for certain transfers or exchanges of existing contracts" as early as September 25, 2007. [Sutherland Asbill & Brennan] Fleecing 403(b) Participants (Part 5) 8/2/07 — In bid to improve 403(b) plans, K-12 officials face "withering onslaught" from big insurance companies. [Morningstar] July 2007 Overview of 403(b) Regulations (PDF) 7/28/07 — Excerpt: After years of waiting, we finally have the answers. [Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP] Common Remitter Functions Under New Regs 7/26/07 — Opinion: It looks like all employers trying to use the special 403(b) exemption are going to have to hire somebody to provide compliance services. [403b-457plansblog] CalSTRS Offers 403(b) Compliance Service 7/26/07 — CalSTRS will offer administration and compliance services on a low-cost basis as a solution for employers who may not have the financial resources. [CalSTRS] Overview: ERISA and Final 403(b) Regs 7/25/07 — Department of Labor issues guidance on interaction. [Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP] Highlights of New Regs 7/25/07 — Excerpt: The written plan document will be required for plan years beginning after December 31, 2008. [Gatekeeper] IRS 403(b) Guidance Guide 7/24/07 — Information on new regs for employers and employees. [GateKeeper] The Employer Get Wise Guide for the New 403(b) Regs 7/24/07 — Essential information for the benefits official. [403(b)wise] New 403(b) Regulations Released 7/23/07 — Excerpt: the regulations generally apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008. [US Treasury] Daniels-Hall vs. NEA 7/17/07 — Class action complaint for violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). [403(b)wise] 2 Teachers Sue Union Over Retirement Plan 7/17/07 — NEA is accused of getting a kickback for touting a costly offering (free login). [LA Times] Lawsuit Says Teachers Are Overcharged on Annuities 7/17/07 — Lawsuit contends NEA breached its duty by endorsing high-cost investments in exchange for payment (free login). [NY Times] "Teachers Deserve Better" As Lawsuit Charges NEA For Overcharging 7/17/07 — lawsuit claims National Education Association( NEA) overcharged the very teachers it represented in annuities sold by Nationwide Life Insurance Company and the Security Benefit Group. [AHN] IRS Issues Further Roth 403(b) Guidance 7/16/07 — Synopsis of updated IRS guidelines. [Milliman] Overhaul Overdue for Nonprofit Plans 7/15/07 — The 403(b) is about to undergo first overhaul since Johnson Administration. [Baltimore Sun] Court Allows 403(b) Bankruptcy Exclusion 7/13/07 — Judge rules 403(b) assets are properly excludable (free login). [PlanSponsor] A Suggested Model 403(b) Plan 7/10/07 — Excerpt: school district officials must jettison the absurdities currently plaguing so many 403(b) plans. [Morningstar] Why Schools Lack Low-Cost 403(b) Investment Choices 7/9/07 — Detailed description of myriad reasons school employees often lack direct access to low-cost 403(b) choices. [Michael Engdahl] 403(b)ill of Rights 7/4/07 — We the people of the 403(b) plan, in order to form a more perfect retirement vehicle... [403(b)wise] June 2007 CalSTRS & TIAA-CREF Team Up in California 6/28/07 — TIAA-CREF will provide low cost savings plans [including Roth 403(b)] for public school employees in state. [CalSTRS] Transferring Out of a High Fee 403(b) 6/28/07 — Indiana high school teacher shares her story. [403(b)wise] IRS Wants Eligible School Employees to Know About 403(b) 6/21/07 — IRS expanding outreach effort to ensure schools comply with universal availability requirement. [IRS] NEA 2006 Survey of Pension Plans 6/21/07 — Title: Characteristics of Large Public Education Pension Plans. [NEA] Study: Teacher Pensions and Retirement Behavior 6/21/07 — Title: How Teacher Pension Rules Affect Mobility and Retirement. [Calder] Report: Ohio STRS a 'Ticking Time Bomb' 6/11/07 — Ohio State Teacher Retirement System "faces immense and growing fiscal challenges" (free login). [Plan Sponsor] 2007 403(b) ERISA Checklist 6/8/07 — Compliance checklist for DB, DC and 403(b)Plans subject to ERISA. [Prudential] Fleecing 403(b) Participants (part 3) 6/7/07 — A look at implicit, explicit and administrative costs in a 403(b) plan. [Morningstar] Nager Vs. Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of NYC 6/4/07 — Charge: Portfolio managed as stable value fund when state law mandates fixed income and equities. Judge's findings and conclusions [Joel L. Frank] May 2007 New Homework for Teachers, Other 403(b) Saver ASPPA Recommends New Regs Not Go Into Effect in 2008 5/31/07 — To allow time for compliance ASPPA recommends new regs begin no sooner than January 1, 2009. [ASPPA] 5/20/07 — Thanks to increased IRS scrutiny, major changes are likely coming soon to 403(b) plans. [CBS MarketWatch] Fees Take Huge Toll on 403(b) Plans 5/17/07 — The difference in fees between 0.5% and 2.25% can be huge over time. [Bankrate] How to Avoid 403(b) Pitfalls 5/16/07 — Pending federal regulations should make it easier for 403(b) participants. [Bankrate] Lower Fees and Better Disclosure on the Horizon? 5/15/07 — A recent wave of lawsuits is shedding even more light on high fees charged to teachers. [Gregory Y. Porter] Employer Get Wise Guide for the New 403(b) Regs 5/9/07 — New regs offer employers unique opportunity to drastically improve their plan. [403(b)wise] School District 403(b) Plans Subject to IRS Scrutiny 5/7/07 — Includes sample IRS correspondence letters to schools. [Fred Reish] Fleecing 403(b) Plan Participants (part 2) 5/3/07 — Excerpt: the NEA Valuebuilder annuity can easily reach 500 basis points. [Morningstar] Fleecing 403(b) Plan Participants (part 1) 5/3/07 — Excerpt: the NEA Valuebuilder annuity can easily reach 500 basis points. [Morningstar] Benefits Officials: Do You Understand Your Plan Costs? 5/1/07 — Greater scrutiny of fees coming. [NAGDCA] Benefits Officials: Ignore 403(b) at Your Peril 5/1/07 — School officials must understand their fiduciary responsibility. [Fred Reish] April 2007 403(b) Vendors Brace for Change 4/17/07 — Vendors ready for final regs which are reportedly only weeks away (free login). [Plan Sponsor] Attorney Targets NEA Valuebuilder 403(b) 4/9/07 — Question: Did endorsement fee trump best interests of NEA members? (free login). [Plan Sponsor] Mutual Funds Now Make Up 21% of 403(b) Market; Up from 17% in 2001 4/8/07 — 2006 403(b) contribution information from the Spectrem Group. [403(b)wise] Imperfect Union 4/5/07 — Lawsuit targets ING NYSUT 403(b) arrangement. [Forbes] Benefits Officials: Stop Acting Like 98-pound Weaklings 4/4/07 — Coming 403(b) regulations offer opportunity to get tough with vendors on pricing. [403(b)wise] Funds May Get New Rules on Fee Disclosure 4/4/07 — The SEC's chief wants 'one simple number' to show the cost of any retirement-plan option. [LA Times] March 2007 CalSTRS Adds 457 and Roth 403(b) 3/29/07 — The expanded supplemental savings investment program will be available to all employees of a school district, not just to teachers. [CalSTRS] Popping the Hood 3/27/07 — An analysis of major life cycle fund families [Turnstone Advisory Group] Investors Want Straight Talk 3/26/07 — Survey: Financial advisers should swear off jargon and rely on straight talk. [Investment News] Reps Forced to Sell Proprietary Products to Get Health Insurance? 3/19/07 — Excerpt: If reps or agents don't sell enough of the firm's products they won't get health insurance for themselves, their spouse, or their children. [Scott Dauenhauer] Employer Guide to Retirement Plan Fees 3/19/07 — Clear, comprehensive guide to fiduciary responsibility and plan fees; includes glossary of terms. [The Standard] Lawmakers Scrutinize 401(k) Fees 3/7/07 — Excerpt: Fees often are scattered across written materials, or sometimes not reported at all, making it difficult... to comparison shop. [Washington Post] 403(b) Reg Guidance Coming in June? 3/5/07 — According to Washington-based publisher BNA, guidance to be out by June, effective date to be January 1, 2008. [Plan Sponsor] U.S. Heading For Financial Trouble? 3/4/07 — Excerpt: we suffer from a fiscal cancer... it could have catastrophic consequences for our country. [CBS]  403(b) Reg Guidance Coming in June? 3/5/07 — According to Washington-based publisher BNA, guidance to be out by June, effective date to be January 1, 2008. [Plan Sponsor] February 2007 IRS 403(b) Plan Checklist 2/26/07 — This "quick tool" is designed to help employers keep their plan in compliance. [IRS] Teachers Sue Metlife Over 403(b) Funds 2/21/07 — Suit alleges teachers duped in a conspiracy that favored investing retirement funds with Metlife. [NWI.com] Fidelity Sees Dramatic Increase in Auto Enrollment 2/16/07 — Up 95% in 2006; lifecycle funds popular (free login). [Plan Sponsor] CalSTRS Seeks TPA for New Deferred Compensation Plan Services 2/14/07 — CalSTRS to offer Roth 403(b) and a 457(b) plan. [CalSTRS] 401(k) Auto Enrollment on the March 2/2/07 — Excerpt: 58% of companies surveyed will automatically enroll employees into 401(k) plans by the end of 2007 (free login). [Plan Sponsor] January 2007 It's Getting Easier to Create a Socially Responsible Savings Plan 1/26/07 — Excerpt: Socially responsible investing is the fastest growing segment of the managed-money industry. [MarketWatch] Taking on Plan Fees That Take Away From You 1/17/07 — Excerpt: Fees, especially investment fees, are Wall Street's dirty little secret. [The Journal Record] Congress Goes After Retirement Plan Fees 1/9/07 — Labor Department, Rep. George Miller, spearhead a move toward broader disclosure. [Workforce Management] California to Review CalSTRS and CalPERS Shortfalls 1/2/07 — Excerpt: Unfunded pension liabilities for CalPERS and CalSTRS are $49 billion. [Office of the Governor] December 2006 Changing 403(b) Plans for Changing Times 12/18/06 — New 403(b) due dilligence and compliance expectations provide "enormous opportunities for employers to reduce fees." [Benefits & Compensation Digest] Variable Annuity Watch 12/14/06 — There are seven reasons why variable annuities don't work for the vast majority of investors. [Scott Burns] Protect Your Nest Egg From Con Artists 12/10/06 — Be on your guard against advisers selling fraudulent or unsuitable 403(b) investment products. [Kiplinger's] November 2006 Middlemen Take Bite Out of 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457(b)s 11/27/06 — Some plans overcharge participants and employers by 100 percent or more. [John Wasik] Looking Back on 25 Years of Retirement Savings 11/20/06 — Are we moving forward fast enough to provide a secure retirement for all generations? [Paul Schott Stevens] Teachers, Did You Forget to do Your Homework on 403(b) Plans? 11/19/06 — Excerpt: Because the stakes are so high, you need to know what's inside your 403(b) plan. [San Diego Union] Milton Friedman Dies 11/17/06 — Economist touted laissez-faire policy (free login). [Washington Post] Coming Soon: The Next Wave of 401(k) Fee Litigation 11/16/06 — At least 17 additional major corporations are targeted. [Schlichter, Bogard & Denton] Oklahoma Teachers' Pension Not OK 11/15/06 — State plan is the third worst funded system nationally. [The News Courier] What Happens to Household Portfolios After Retirement? 11/15/06 — The typical older household in the United States now arrives at retirement with an array of financial resources. [Center for Retirement Research] Lucent Technologies 401(k): The Gold Standard for Retirement 11/8/06 — Excerpt: For Lucent, "very good" was just not good enough. [Treasury and Risk] October 2006 What is Best Age to Take Social Security? 10/29/06 — Excerpt: I assumed that later was better. [Washington Post] AIG VALIC to Disclose Fees 10/23/06 — AIG agrees to detail charges that it will levy in a new L.A. teacher retirement program. [LA Times] Employees Can Have Say in 401(k) 10/23/06 — Excerpt: In too many cases, a retirement plan is chosen for the convenience of the company's administration. [ContraCosta Times] IRS Announces Pension Plan Limitations for 2007 10/18/06 — Regular 403(b) contribution limits will rise to $15,500; age 50 catch-up remains $5,000. [IRS] ING to Give Teachers Refunds 10/12/06 — Union members steered into high-fee annuities will get $30 million in a New York agreement. [LA Times] The Pension Protection Act and 403(b) Arrangements 10/12/06 — Overview of PPA's impact on the 403(b). [McKay Hochman Co.] 401(k) Costs Are Breach of Trust 10/8/06 — Plan sponsors are accused of failing to fulfill fiduciary duty to make certain 401(k) plan operates with appropriate expenses. [Boston Globe] NJ Teacher Wins Fight on Retirement Fees 10/2/06 — Math teacher Bruce McNutt persuaded school board to add Vanguard 403(b) products. [John Wasik] September 2006 Overview of New 403(b) Regs 9/27/06 — Excerpt: Section 403(b) plans will look and feel different. [BDO Seidman, LLP] Boost for Retirement-Savings Efforts 9/26/06 — Labor Department proposes new rules making it easier for employers to enroll employees automatically in 401(k) and other retirement plans. [CBS MarketWatch] PPA Changes Affecting 403(b) and 457(b) 9/15/06 — The most important thing the Pension Protection Act did was to make EGTRRA permanent. [403b-457plansblog] 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) Hardship Withdrawal FAQs 9/15/06 — A retirement plan may, but is not required to, provide for hardship distributions. [IRS] CalSTRS Creates Framework for Long-term Full Funding 9/8/06 — No change to benefits but 1/2 percent increase in contributions among recommendations. [CalSTRS] Teach and Retire Rich Podcast 9/5/06 — The first Teach and Retire Rich podcast is now available. [Teach and Retire Rich] August 2006 IRS Delays New 403(b) Regs 8/29/06 — Excerpt: "Final regulations generally will not be effective earlier than January 1, 2008." [IRS] Pension Protection Act of 2006: IRAs, 403(b) and 457 Plans 8/21/06 — Overview of affect of Pension Protection Act of 2006 on IRA, 403(b) and 457. [Sutherland Asbill & Brennan] MEA Has Gone Away; Never to Rise Again! 8/9/06 — Summary of H.R. 4 — Pension Protection Act of 2006. [Citizens Bank & Trust] Target Funds + Auto Enroll + Auto Increase = Homerun 8/1/06 — Vanguard says putting all three in place gives employees best chance to effectively save for retirement (free login). [Plan Sponsor] July 2006 Waddell & Reed Settles Market Timing Charges 7/24/06 — Excerpt: Waddell & Reed's senior management knew timing activity was harming the firm's small investors (free login). [Plan Sponsor] PERA Predicts Brighter Financial Future 7/20/06 — Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association to be fully funded by 2048 (free login). [Plan Sponsor] TSP Life Cycle Funds a Big Hit 7/18/06 — Excerpt: 9% of plan's participants have opted for them (free login). [Plan Sponsor] School System ahead of IRS on Streamlining 403(b) vendors 7/15/06 — School system streamlines 403(b) vendor list from 55 to 1. [403(b)wise] AXA Rep Threatens 403(b) Advocate 7/10/06 — Teacher who tried to educate colleagues about 403(b) got "threatening" e-mails from an AXA Equitable salesman. [NorthJersey.com] June 2006 NYSUT Changes 403(b) Policies 6/16/06 — Excerpt: Settlement with attorney general covers endorsements, disclosure of fees. [NYSUT] Survey on Sponsor Response to New 403(b) Regs 6/15/06 — Spectrem Group study reveals ways employers are preparing for new regs (free login). [Plan Sponsor] Spitzer-NYSUT Settle 403(b) Probe 6/13/06 — Union took payments from an insurance company to promote 403(b) product and took steps to conceal it. [Eliot Sptizer] Tax Exempt Organization Compensation Audits 6/12/06 — 403(b)/457(b) audit review and information. [ALI-ABA] Kentucky Warns Against Variable Annuities 6/8/06 — Excerpt: Be especially wary of any broker who wants to sell you a variable annuity to hold inside a 401(k) or IRA. [State of Kentucky] New 403(b) Regs Due by June 30 6/4/06 — Bob Architect of IRS says he expects the 403(b) regulations to be published by June 30, 2006. [Wolters Kluwer] May 2006 IRS 403(b) Info for Sponsors 5/24/06 — Common plan sponsor mistakes. [IRS] IRS 403(b) Info for Participants 5/24/06 — Common participant mistakes. [IRS] A Bad Marriage? Variable Annuities and 401(k) Plans 5/17/06 — To the insurance industry, it's a great idea; to critics, it's an outright scam. [Workforce Management] Hartford Admits Misconduct in Annuities Probe 5/11/06 — Company will pay $20 million in restitution and fines. [Office of NY State Attorney General] NY Probing 401(k) Plans and NYSUT/ING 403(b) 5/10/06 — Spitzer epected to reach settlement soon with NYSUT over its ING endorsement deal (free login). [LA Times] Spitzer Cancels Speech to Teacher's Union 5/7/06 — Spitzer is looking into NYSUT's 403(b) arrangement with ING. [Newsday] Sponsors Report Mixed Feelings About 403(b) Changes 5/5/06 — Fidelity Investments survey reveals concern about effects of new 403(b) regulations. (free login). [Plan Sponsor] FERA Letter to Spitzer 5/3/06 — The Foundation for Educational Reform & Accountability letter asking Eliot Spitzer to look into NYSUT/ING 403(b) arrangement. [FERA] Unions Criticized Over 403(b) 5/2/06 — State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer may look into New York NYSUT deal. [Newsday] Where's the Value? 5/1/06 — Educator questions the value of the NEA Valuebuilder 403(b) product. [403(b)wise] April 2006 LA Times Retirement Plan Series 4/25/06 — Topics include: 403(b) woes, 401(K) Q&A, annuity abuse, fee impact, and broker conflicts (free login). [LA Times] Unions' Advice Is Failing Teachers 4/25/06 — Labor groups have joined forces with investment firms to steer members into savings plans that often have high expenses and poor returns (free login). [LA Times] Fees Eat Away at Employees' 401(k) Nest Eggs 4/23/06 — Obscure deductions are quietly eroding savings (free login). [LA Times] Annuities and the 401(k) 4/20/06 — Excerpt: It is important that annuities are available to people who are retiring... I do not think that the cost-benefit analysis justifies having annuities in a 401(k) plan (free login). [PlanSponsor] 401(k) Education Not Effective 4/18/06 — Perceived failure is a major reason investment advice has become increasingly popular (free login). [PlanSponsor] AIG VALIC Selected Sole 403(b) Provider by Richmond Public Schools 4/15/06 — Excerpt: AIG VALIC offered our employees the most competitive program bid based on service and on fees. [AIG] WV Teacher Challenges DC to DB Switch 4/12/06 — Lawsuit aims to stop merger of current DC plan with Teachers' Retirement System (free login). [PlanSponsor] Investors Don't Understand Impact of Fees 4/11/06 — Excerpt: investors often buy high-cost funds even though they sense they may be making a mistake. [Yale] When Your Paycheck Stops 4/10/06 — Ready to retire? Better make sure you can afford it. [Newsweek] WV Teachers Vote to Return to DB Plan 4/4/06 — West Virginia teachers voted to leave DC accounts and return to a defined benefit plan. [NCPERS] March 2006 Why Are Healthy Employers Freezing Their Pensions? 3/23/06 — Excerpt: the pension landscape has changed. [Center for Retirement Research] Vanguard Introduces New Target Date Funds 3/21/06 — Vanguard will add target date funds for years 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, and 2050 to its lineup (free login). [PlanSponsor] Retire Happy 3/15/06 — SmartMoney shows you how to navigate the new three-act retirement. [SmartMoney] AIG VALIC Leaps into Roth Arena 3/8/06 — AIG VALIC rolls out Roth 403(b) account (free login). [PlanSponsor] Plan Would Fix Pension Fund 3/1/06 — Fix proposed for dramatically underfunded Minneapolis Teachers' Retirement Fund Association. [Pioneer Press] February 2006 Employer Won't Match Low-Cost Investment 2/26/06 — Massachusetts hospital will match 403(b) contribution to variable annuity, but not to Vanguard products. [403(b)wise] Trying to Tame Annuity Sales 2/12/06 — Excerpt: it sounds good on its face, but for most people "a tax-deferred annuity never makes sense." [LA Times] Retirement Plan Fees Drop 2/1/06 — Competitive pressure, regulatory scrutiny among reasons for lower costs. [Benefit News] January 2006 IRS Clarifies Roth Accounts Tax Liability 1/26/06 — New rules to clarify how distributions from Roth 403(b) plans are to be taxed. (free login). [PlanSponsor] Proposed Rules on Roth 403(b) Contributions 1/25/06 — Treasury and IRS release proposed rules regarding designated Roth 403(b) contributions. [Treasury] Debate on Terminating Public DB Plans 1/19/06 — Pros and cons of ending DB plans (free login). [PlanSponsor] A Word to Wise on Roth 401(k)/403(b) 1/13/06 — Roth 401(k)/403(b) is now a reality. But that reality still comes with unanswered questions and cautionary notes [CBS MarketWatch] Tax law changes for 2006 1/12/06 — Every January, a wide variety of taxes and tax benefits go up or down as a result of inflation or changes in tax law. [San Francisco Chronicle] Resolve to Simplify Investing 1/9/06 — Simplify savings and reduce costs in 2006 with target date retirement funds. [403(b)wise] 403(b) Contribution Limits Rise 1/3/06 — The new elective deferral limit for 2006 is $15,000; age 50 catch-up rises to $5,000. [403(b)wise] December 2005 School Districts Beware 12/13/05 — The perfect storm is developing in the 403(b) world... [Teachers Advocate] CalSTRS Again Rejects Pension Reform Measure 12/12/05 — CalSTRS Board votes to oppose new legislation that would close DC plan to new hires (free login). [PlanSponsor] November 2005 EIAs: Friend or Foe? 11/30/05 — Why is it that when most investors hear the word "equity index annuity" they recoil as if facing the plague? [403(b)wise] Teachers' Investment Plans Flunk 11/9/05 — Fees are outrageous, there's no match and there's no oversight. [MSN] Trolling for 401(k) Treasure 11/1/05 — Congress expected to allow financial advisors to work with participants in company retirement programs. [Registered Rep] October 2005 Plan Features Offer Little Incentive to Participate 10/25/05 — Study finds that employer match, liquidity, and investment features in 401(k) plans have little effect on participation or contribution rates (free login). [PlanSponsor] Singing the 403(b) Blues 10/24/05 — End of 90-24 coming. This story available for fee online or in November print edition. [Kiplinger] IRS Announces Pension Plan Limitations for 2006 10/14/05 — IRS announces cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and other items for 2006. [IRS] What Every Investor Should Know About Mutual Funds 10/14/05 — Some of what follows distills the collective experience of mutual fund investing... [AAII] SEC Launches Site for Teachers 10/11/05 — "Just for Teachers" investing site aimed at K-12 teachers. [SEC] 403bcompare.com Wins Award 10/10/05 — Web-based tool which allows participants to compare 403(b) costs and performance is honored. [CalSTRS] September 2005 Monkey Business 9/28/05 — The difficulty of beating the market. [SmartMoney] Why Women Face a Retirement Crisis 9/19/05 — From living longer to earning less women face tough realities. [MSN] How to Improve Teacher Benefits in Georgia at No Cost 9/19/05 — Make state-run Peach State Reserves retirement plan available to all. [Gerry Born] 403(b) Regs Delayed 9/14/05 — IRS officials report that proposed 403(b) regs will not be effective before January 1, 2007. [403(b)wise] The Best Place for Retirement Funds 9/6/05 — Turns out location, location, location isn't just about real estate. [Harvard Business School] Roth 401(k) in 2006? Not that likely 9/6/05 — Employers aren't rushing to offer new retirement perk. [CBS MarketWatch] August 2005 The Other Side of the 403(b) Story 8/29/05 — NTSAA rebutts Wall Street Journal story. [403(b)wise] To Be or Not To Be a 403(b) (pdf) 8/26/05 — Overview of the proposed IRS regulations. [Gardner Carton & Douglas] Complying with the New IRS 403(b) Regulations (pdf) 8/26/05 — Information conference will be held November 14, 2005 in San Diego. [Financial Research Associates] Teachers Have Few Defenses When Investing in 403(b)s 8/25/05 — Plans rife with problems; teachers often lose out. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette] 90-24 Transfers To Disappear 8/22/05 — Clock is ticking on ability to move 403(b) money to an outside-of-plan vendor. [403(b)wise] Back-to-School Financial Checklist for Teachers 8/22/05 — Beginning of school year is a good time to get financial house in order. [403(b)wise] Equity-indexed Annuities Scrutinized 8/11/05 — "Some of the pitches are appalling," says NASD Vice Chairman Mary Schapiro. [USA Today] Five Big Distribution Traps (free login) 8/4/05 — The costly mistakes can hamper retirement-savings withdrawals. [MarketWatch] July 2005 Are Fund Expenses Too High? (free login) 7/31/05 — Morningstar study says costs in 13 of top 20 fund families have increased. [MarketWatch] Alaska Public Pension Plans Switching From DB to DC (free login) 7/28/05 — Bill that would switch Teachers Retirement System to 401(k) type plan. [PLANSPONSOR] Vermont Commission to Study Teachers Pension (free login) 7/25/05 — State treasurer thinks there's still time to save the fund from "going off the cliff." [PLANSPONSOR] Status of 403(b) Regs 7/18/05 — Ellie Lowder and Kristi Cook meet with IRS about new 403(b) regs. [NTSAA] Evaluate 403(b) Plan Sooner, Not Later 7/10/05 — Impending rule change to 403(b) will limit investment options. [Yahoo! News] NEA Head Calls for $40,000 Starting Salaries 7/4/05 — NEA president to fight for higher pay for starting teachers, veteran instructors and classroom aides. [SignOnSanDiego] 403(b)ill of Rights 7/4/05 — We the people of the 403(b) plan, in order to form a more perfect retirement vehicle... [403(b)wise] June 2005 Kill Social Security Privatization; Reform 401(k)s 6/21/05 — Time to abandon the Bush private account plan and consider alternatives. [John Wasik] Figuring Fees and Explaining Expenses (free login) 6/20/05 — Fees and expenses continue to be a hot topic for the Department of Labor and fiduciaries. [Plan Sponsor] Less is More (free login) 6/13/05 — Survey: Road to DC happiness includes fewer investment options, advice. [Plan Sponsor] Public Workers Under Fire (free login) 6/9/05 — America has a problem with its public employees. They are not downwardly mobile enough. [The Washington Post] Van Kampen Delivers a Blow to 403(b) Reps (free login) 6/6/05 — Firm eliminates sales load that reps collect on mutual funds sold in 403(b)s. [Investment News] Participants Not Playing Catch-up 6/6/05 — Report: only 13% of eligible plan participants made age 50 catch-up contributions in 2004. [Vanguard] Financial SOS from a New Teacher 6/2/05 — The only thing "CD" means to Matt, 23, is an outdated musical format. [403(b)wise] May 2005 Comments on 403(b) Regs (pdf) 5/24/05 — National Sales Director for Retirement Marketing Specialists comments on 403(b) regs. [403(b)wise] Automatic Signup In 401(k)s Backed 5/22/05 — Provision eyed for Social Security bill. [The Washington Post] Study Hints At Advisor Bias on Pensions 5/17/05 — Many retirement plan consultants have ties to providers. [The Washington Post] W. Virginia Closes DC Plan to New Hires (pdf) 5/12/05 — Bucking a recent trend, W. Virginia switches back to a defined benefit plan. [nctr.org] Beat the Drums if You Want a Roth 5/8/05 — Jan. 1 employers may offer Roth 401(k) / Roth 403(b). [The Washington Post] 403(b) Stakeholder Challenges 5/5/05 — What obstacles do the financial industry, employers, employees, the IRS and unions face? [403(b)wise] 403(b) Market Stats 5/3/05 — Market statistics for years 1999 - 2004. [403(b)wise] Teach and Retire Rich feedback 5/3/05 — Read what teachers and John Bogle are saying about Teach and Retire Rich. [403(b)wise] April 2005 Time To Stop Blaming Agents? 4/25/05 — How fair is it to blame agents for state of 403(b)? [403(b)wise] Managing Retirement, Automatically 4/18/05 — Investors can select a mutual fund that will automatically adjust their investment portfolios. [The Washington Post] Fleecing Teachers 4/11/05 — Some of the biggest names in insurance — AIG, ING, AXA, MetLife — peddle lousy retirement plans to teachers. One and a half million teachers blithely signed up for these dogs — often with their unions' blessing [Forbes] Schwarzenegger Pulls Back on Pension Reform 4/8/05 — California governor backs off plan to privatize California's public employee pension system. (free login) [Plan Sponsor] 401(k)s May See Better Investment Options 4/6/05 — Poor 401(k) performance has led some employers to improve the way they choose investment options. [SmartMoney] March 2005 West Virginia House Votes to End Personal Accounts 3/31/05 — The bill would send all new hires into the state's older Teachers Retirement System. [herald-dispatch] 403(b)etter or Worse? 3/31/05 — Big changes could be coming to the 403(b) in 2006 (free login). [Motely Fool] Can Cyber Shopping Improve Faulty Retirement Plans? 3/28/05 — California's www.403bcompare pulls the veil of secrecy off of 403(b) fees. [John Wasik] Teach and Retire Rich Now Shipping 3/28/05 — New book explains how to reap intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of teaching. [teachandretirerich.com] Sure thing? Better to Avoid Equity Index Annuities 3/20/05 — When you look closely at EIAs — and most people don't bother — the blemishes are clearly visible. [San Diego Union] Alaska Proposes DC Plans for Teachers 3/15/05 — Following California lead, Alaska proposes replacing pension plan with DC plan (free login). [Plan Sponsor] Buffett's Tips: Don't Overtrade, or Panic 3/13/05 — Excerpt: "An index fund that they never touched would have done the job." [The Washington Post] ASPPA Comments on 403(b) Regs 3/12/05 — American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries comment on proposed 403(b) regs. [ASPPA] School Districts Would Be Wise to Adopt a 403(b) Plan Document 3/7/05 — School business official explains how a plan document benefits employer and employee. [403(b)wise] February 2005 Schwarzenegger, Unions Clash Over Pension 2/22/05 — California teachers, firefighters and other workers worried about their retirement [The Washington Post] Leading Annuity Companies Comment on 403(b) Regs (pdf) 2/11/05 — AXA Financial, ING, TIAA-CREF and others comment on proposed 403(b) regs. [groom.com] NTSAA Comments on Proposed 403(b) Regs (pdf) 2/11/05 — Prepared by NTSAA advisors Kristi Cook, J.D., and Ellie Lowder, MCRS. [NTSAA] Official Launch of 403bcompare.com (pdf) 2/9/05 — Powerful website allows visitors to pull up free, objective information about 403(b) products. [CalSTRS] Teachers Get Harsh Lesson on Investing 2/1/05 — Excerpt: "This whole system needs to change... teachers are pretty much being thrown to the wolves." [SignOnSanDiego] January 2005 A Gold Mine in Low Fund Fees 1/31/05 — If you're smart enough to save on broker fees for your mutual funds, you can retire after 30 years of low-cost investing with 64 percent more. [Newsweek] Neglect That Spells Retirement Ruin 1/24/05 — New survey: only 12 percent of employees understand their retirement benefits. [The Washington Post] Autopilot 401(k) Plans 1/22/05 — Research from the field of behavioral finance suggests that many participants in defined contribution plans are not active, self-motivated decision-makers. [Vanguard] Risk-Reward Gamble 1/17/05 — Push for "ownership society" is in full swing. [The Washington Post] Brokers Pushing Variable Annuities in Retirement Accounts 1/10/05 — The conventional wisdom holds that variable annuities don't belong in tax-deferred retirement plans. [On Wall Street] Calif. Voters May Face Choice to Change State Pensions to 401(k) plan 1/6/05 — In a significant echo of President Bush's plan to privatize part of Social Security, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Wednesday for privatizing two of the nation's largest public pension systems. [SFGate.com] State Pension Revamp Sought 1/5/05 — California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to propose replacing the defined-benefit model with one similar to a 401(k). [Sacramento Bee] Teach and Retire Rich 1/1/05 — New book by 403(b)wise details how educators can teach and retire rich. [403(b)wise] 403(b) Contribution Limits Rise 1/1/05 — Regular limits rise to $14,000; age 50 catch-up rises to $4,000. [403(b)wise] | ||