A Look At Diversification
Ancient Chinese merchants were said to have developed a unique way to manage their risk. They would divide their shipments among several different vessels. That way, if one ship were to sink or be attacked by pirates, the rest stood a good chance of getting through. Thus, the majority of the shipment could be saved. […]
Best-Performing Asset Classes
According to Yale University’s Crash Confidence Index, only about 24% of investors are confident the stock market will not crash sometime during the next six months.1 If fear leads investors to avoid the entire investment class, they may limit their potential returns. For example, for most of the 10-year period between 2012 and 2022, stocks […]
The Business Cycle
What has upswings and downturns, troughs, peaks, and plateaus? Though such terms could easily describe a roller coaster ride, they are also commonly used to describe the business cycle. The business cycle – also known as the economic cycle – refers to fluctuations in economic activity over several months or years. Tracking the cycle helps […]
Portfolio Allocation
The first half of 2020 has seen a dramatic increase in stock market volatility. After beginning the year by gaining 4% through mid-March, the S&P 500 lost roughly 35% over the next four weeks. Four months from that bottom and the index now sits at break-even for the year. While it is always a good […]
IRA Conversions
Prior to 2010, Roth conversion were subject to a $100,000 AGI limit which prohibited some from taking advantage of the tax free growth of a Roth IRA. Since that restriction was removed, Roth conversion have become increasingly popular. Tax rates, historically remain at very low levels enticing many to opt to pay their taxes in […]
Our 401(k) Investments are on the Watchlist. Now What?
Approach, review, document, and decide As a member of your company’s retirement plan committee, if you have recently been informed that one or more of your company’s retirement plan investments are on the Watch List, don’t panic. This is an opportunity for due diligence and possibly to enhance the plan’s performance. Approach As a thoughtful […]
Building a Better Retirement Benefit: Consider Adopting Auto Features
The use of auto features in 401(k) plans has continued to climb in popularity over the past decade. In fact, auto features such as automatic enrollment and auto escalation are considered best practices in 401(k) plan design as ways to help boost participation and employee savings rates.1 Many large 401(k) retirement plans offer auto features. […]
Are ESG Funds a Good Fit for Your Plan’s Investment Menu?
Should You Include ESG Funds in Your Retirement Plan? Maybe, Maybe Not. ESG, or environmental, social and governance funds, can be appealing to many investors, including millennials. These funds may be viewed as a proactive way to encourage reluctant and under-prepared millennials to save for retirement. But is it a good idea to include ESG […]
Retirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics
Share Class ABCs: Choose Wisely Choosing mutual funds for your retirement plan’s investment lineup can feel like wading through a sea of alphabet soup. Fund companies typically offer multiple share classes, each sporting its own unique letter. A shares, C shares, I shares, R shares — what does it all mean? Luckily, you don’t have […]
Effective Governance May Lead to Better Retirement Plans
Participant-driven lawsuits are on the rise, and employers are facing heightened scrutiny of the way they manage their retirement plans. In today’s continually-evolving regulatory and legal environment, it’s more important than ever to make sure your organization’s retirement plan is both effective and compliant. A well-structured retirement plan governance program can help you pursue these […]