John Iekel

Savings in 401(k) accounts and plans grew in 2019, but there is till room for improvement in savings levels and the scope of retirement plan coverage, say researchers in a recently released study.  In “401(k)/IRA Holdings in 2019: An Update from the SCF,” Alicia H. Munnell and Anqi Chen look at... READ MORE

After the economic strains of 2020—and all that has meant for retirement plans and those who serve and participate in them—there are signs of hope for 2021, said an industry expert in a recent webinar. In the PenChecks webinar “The US Economy in 2021—Implications for the Pension Industry,” Alex... READ MORE

Funded status for typical corporate pension plans changed only slightly in October, says a new study.  According to investment consulting firm NEPC, the funded status of a typical corporate pension plan increased by 0.9%, while that of a frozen pension plan focused on liability-driven investment (... READ MORE

The CalSavers Retirement Savings Board reports that employer registrations and employee participation have increased in CalSavers, the state-run program that provides retirement plan coverage to employees whose employers do not offer a plan.  The numbers reflect the passing of the new deadline by... READ MORE

This is a rare time. And not just in ways we’ve focused on for seemingly ages—it’s a once-every-four-years time when we select a president. That has great implications for a host of things, including investments—which can affect retirement plans and participants.  And those effects are relevant to... READ MORE

Within the space of three months, two major pieces of legislation were enacted—the SECURE Act and the CARES Act. A panel at an Oct. 27 session of ASPPA All-Access discussed these measures and the opportunities they offer service providers.   Justin Bonestroo, Senior Vice President, CBIZ Retirement... READ MORE

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) on Oct. 26 posted the applicable present values for maximum guarantees for 2021 plan years.  The PBGC provides the values in a table that contains the present values of its maximum guarantee for purposes of the Code Section 436(d)(3) restriction. ... READ MORE

In a year full of extraordinary change, there’s little of that for contribution and benefit limits in 2021.    The IRS has announced cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2021. The 2021 limits are contained in ... READ MORE

President Trump on Oct. 22 issued a memorandum directing the heads of three departments to review pension plans the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) holds in trusteeship.  The impetus for the memo was the pension plan serving retirees of the Delphi Corporation, but also concerns... READ MORE