401(k)

Good news from the IRS? This probably sounds like an oxymoron to many people.

If you work for a company that sponsors a retirement plan, you should certainly take full advantage of this excellent opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. But many people are hazy on the details of how various types of plans work. Some even use the terms “pension plan” and “401(k) plan” as if the two were synonymous.

A few weeks ago, RIA Biz ran an interesting article on the fate of the DOL’s fiduciary rule where MarketCounsel president and CEO Brian Hamburger predicted a Trump admi

I’ll summarize my takeaways below, but if you have 20 minutes, watch this entertaining segment from John Oliver: “Retirement Plans: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”

We heard some good news about the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new fiduciary regulations last week. William McNabb, chairman and chief executive officer of Vanguard, said at the Morningstar Investment Conference last week that he believes the new regulations will be enacted, despite a flurry of lawsuits filed against the new rules.

The lawsuit everyone has been waiting finally arrived last week, perhaps opening the litigation flood gates.

When it comes to saving for retirement, getting started is the biggest hurdle for most investors. For Baby Boomers, access to tax-advantaged retirement savings plans like 401(k) plans often provide the necessary nudge.

“More.” That’s the response when a young child eats her first piece of birthday cake. It’s also the quintessential response to investment information; however, much as it is with birthday cake, more information is not always better. But that doesn’t stop investors from behaving like gluttons.

(Note: Last week we discussed the new rules proposed by the Department of Labor (DOL) to require financial advisors act solely in their clients’ best interests when investing for retirement. If you missed it click here: A Fiduciary Standard for Retirement Plans?)