Recent Stories From this Author

Are self-directed brokerage accounts making a comeback?
December 1, 2010
It appears, according to recent survey data, that self-directed brokerage accounts are being rediscovered by a whole new...

Dealing with disclosures
October 1, 2010
401(k)s are clearly now in the public eye, if not mind. If you're involved in any way with your company's 401(k) plan, you've...

Worker classification question: Is you is or is you ain't my employee?
September 15, 2010
I'm paraphrasing the 1944 tune "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?", co-written by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin, to point out...

Getting plan, payroll into alignment
August 1, 2010
In my January column, I ventured forth with predictions about what's in store for 401(k) plans in 2010 and beyond ("The shape...

Hands out of the cookie jar: Reminding plan sponsors what expenses can (and can't) be paid with 401(k) plan assets
July 1, 2010
It's still a tough economy out there, and many employers are trying to cut the cost of their 401(k) plans. The big news item...

Don't mess with the IRS: Tax requirements affect 401(k) plan design
June 15, 2010
Like all retirement plans, a 401(k) plan must meet certain tax requirements to be a qualified plan. It's important to consider...

401(k) plans must adapt to new economic realities
May 2, 2010
If you had it to do all over again, how would you do it differently?

Hardship distributions: Lost retirement savings or safety valve for employees?
February 1, 2010
Hardship distribution provisions in 401(k) plans used to be one of those matters on which plan sponsors didn't spend a whole...

The shape of things to come for 401(k) plans
January 1, 2010
The new year is a time to make resolutions and predictions. I'll leave the resolutions to you, but I will venture forth with...

The 2009 retirement plan year in review
December 2, 2009
"IL buono, il brutto, il cattivo" is the title of Sergio Leoni's 1966 movie, considered the greatest of the Italian spaghetti...