401(k) Specialist Podcast

ERISA attorney Allie Itami, Partner at Lathrop GPM in Minneapolis, joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to talk about the status of the Department of Labor’s beleaguered fiduciary rule in light of recent stay rulings in Texas, and also chimes in on ERISA at 50 before addressing compliance challenges presented by annuities in 401(k) plans.

And click here to check out a recent blog post from Itami about ERISA’s 50th anniversary, which will be celebrated with a gala event in Washington D.C. on Sept. 12.

Itami is a partner in Lathrop GPM’s Business Transactions Group, specializing in employee benefits and is known for providing comprehensive counsel on fiduciary compliance under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

Key Insights:

Annuity Challenges in 401(k) Plans: The inclusion of annuities in 401(k) plans remains challenging due to issues with fiduciary liability, stigmas associated with annuities (such as high fees and lockups), and a lack of comprehensive safe harbor protections under current regulations.

Fiduciary Rule Delays: The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which was set to take effect in September 2023, has faced delays due to court rulings. Compliance on the original date is no longer a concern for service providers due to legal stays, and the likelihood of the rule being implemented soon is minimal.

ERISA’s Evolution: ERISA has adapted over its 50-year history, moving from employer-centered benefit plans like pensions to more individualized retirement options such as 401(k)s and IRAs, reflecting shifts in workplace benefits.

Morningstar Retirement President Brock Johnson joins a special 100th episode of the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to provide an inside look and share insights into the past, present and future of the comprehensive retirement planning solutions and investment research unit.

Johnson talks about how retirement solutions and research have evolved over the years, what’s behind a host of recent innovations, and provides a glimpse into the future.

Key Insights:

1. Morningstar Retirement’s Evolution and Mission: Morningstar Retirement has maintained a consistent mission since its inception, focused on empowering investor success by providing holistic advice and investment expertise, particularly in the retirement planning space. Over the years, they have expanded from offering a single product to a broad suite of services that now includes fiduciary services, custom target date offerings, and managed accounts.
2. Innovation and Future Focus: Morningstar Retirement emphasizes continuous innovation by listening to clients and expanding the definition of retirement solutions. They are focusing on offering more holistic and actionable retirement solutions, such as personalized annuity recommendations and advisor-managed accounts, to meet the evolving needs of the retirement planning industry.
3. Challenges and Industry Impact: One of the significant challenges highlighted is the lack of access to employer-sponsored retirement plans for many private sector employees. Morningstar Retirement is working to address this issue by making it easier for advisors and record keepers to manage smaller startup plans, aiming to improve access to retirement savings vehicles for a broader population.

Morningstar Investment Management LLC is a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Opinions expressed are as of the date of recording; such opinions are subject to change without notice. The views and opinions of guests are not necessarily those of Morningstar and its affiliates. Morningstar Investment Management and its affiliates shall not be responsible for any trading decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from, or related to, the information, data, analyses or opinions or their use. Morningstar Investment Management does not guarantee the accuracy, or the completeness of the data presented herein. Firm data as of March 31, 2024. DC plan accessibility statistics available at https://press.aarp.org/2022-7-13-New-AARP-Research-Nearly-Half-Americans-Do-Not-Have-Access-to-Retirement-Plans-at-Work. Read more important disclosures here: https://www.morningstar.com/products/social-media-disclosures

The retirement landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, characterized by unprecedented challenges such as increased longevity and unpredictable market conditions. Traditional retirement models centered solely on wealth accumulation are no longer sufficient. A more holistic approach is imperative to effectively manage risks, generate sustainable income, and ensure financial security throughout retirement.

To explain this transformation, joining us on the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast are a pair of well-versed subject matter experts in Joshua Grass, CFA, Senior Strategic Accounts Associate at Allianz Life, and Todd Levy, Managing Director, RIA, with The Retirement Plan Company.

Josh and Todd share thoughts on how the landscape is changing, the new challenges emerging, how to adapt strategies that prioritize the creation of a sustainable income stream for retirees, and how to address participant concerns about retirement income planning.

Key Insights

Evolving Retirement Landscape:
Retirement planning is shifting from a primary focus on wealth accumulation to a more holistic approach emphasizing risk management and sustainable income due to increased longevity and demographic changes.

New Strategies for Retirement Income:
Industry experts highlight the importance of guaranteed lifetime income solutions, such as annuities, which provide stability and protection against market downturns, ensuring a reliable income stream throughout retirement.

Participant Concerns and Industry Response:
Many participants fear outliving their savings more than death itself. The industry is responding with services and products that offer personalized advice, inflation protection, and easy-to-understand income strategies, improving participants' financial confidence and retirement security.

Research cited in the podcast:

• Alliance for Lifetime Income, “Welcome to the Peak 65® Zone – A New Chapter in American’s Retirement Landscape,” January 2024
• Allianz Life conducted an online survey, the 2024 1Q Quarterly Market Perceptions Study, in February 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 1,005 individuals age 18+
• The Allianz 2024 Annual Retirement Study, conducted online in February and March 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 individuals age 25+ in the contiguous U.S. with an annual household income of $50k+ (single) / $75k+ (married/partnered) OR investable assets of $150k+
• U.S. Social Security Administration, Period Life Table, 2020, as used in the 2023 Trustees Report

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America does not provide financial planning services.

Allianz Life Insurance Co

It’s quite rare for one person to manage a large-cap mutual fund for a consecutive span of 25 years, but that’s just what Kevin C. Holt, CFA, chief investment officer, U.S. Value Equities at Invesco, is celebrating this summer.

Holt and Devin Armstrong, who have been co-lead portfolio managers for the Invesco Comstock Fund since 2007, apply a unique contrarian approach and classic value investing techniques.

Holt joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to share more about the approach, what he looks for in a value stock, and why 401(k) participants need a well-diversified portfolio to reach their retirement saving goals.

Key Insights

• Invesco Comstock Fund:
  Kevin C. Holt has managed the Invesco Comstock Fund for 25 years, with a contrarian approach and classic value investing techniques.
• Contrarian Value Investing Strategy:
  Holt emphasizes a contrarian strategy that combines valuation metrics with behavioral psychology. He focuses on sectors where pessimism is high and valuations are low, like healthcare and consumer staples, adapting the strategy to changing market conditions.
• Importance of Diversification in 401(k) Plans:
  Holt advocates for well-diversified portfolios within 401(k) plans, stressing that diversification across growth and value stocks is crucial due to the unpredictable nature of market cycles and the historical performance during different inflationary periods.

Disclosures

Not a Deposit | Not FDIC Insured | Not Guaranteed by the Bank | May Lose Value | Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency

All data provided by Invesco unless otherwise noted.

The opinions expressed are those of the author as of July 22, 2024. These comments should not be construed as recommendations, but as an illustration of broader themes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions; there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of loss.

This does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy or product for a particular investor. Investors should consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions.

P/B (Price-to-Book): it compares the price of the stock with its book value (total assets minus total liabilities). It is commonly used for banks. P/S (Price-to-Sales): it compares the price of the stock with its sales (renevues) from the last twelve months. It is commonly used for companies that have losses. Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio measures a company's share price relative to its earnings per share (EPS).

Enterprise value-to-sales (EV/Sales) is a financial ratio that compares a company's total value to its total sales revenue.

"The Art of the Answer" is an Invesco Global Consulting program and is for illustrative, informational and educational purposes only. We make no guarantee that participation in any programs or utilization of their content will result in increased business for any financial professional. 

RFP = Request for proposal

Click to view full disclosure statement.

No matter how easy plan sponsors try to make it for employees to participate in their company-sponsored 401(k) plan, too many workers still aren’t enrolling.

Our guests on today have some ideas on dealing with this problem—centered on how instead of making it easy to participate, making it even harder to avoid enrolling in the plan in the first place.

Marc Howell and Felix Okwaning, who are both Managing Directors—Enhanced Plan Design at Principal Financial Group, share some great ideas on how to use a combination of automatic features including “auto-sweep” to boost enrollment and deferral rates, dramatically helping employees get adequately prepared for retirement.

Despite offering unique tax advantages, lots of people remain unaware of health savings accounts (HSA)—and even many who are using them aren’t using them to anywhere near their full potential.

Jeremy Keil, CFP, CFA, a retirement-focused financial advisor and host of both the Retirement Revealed Podcast and Mr. Retirement YouTube channel, joins the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to discuss the most common mistakes he sees people with HSAs making, as well as how to help correct these mistakes with strategies that make the most of their exceptional capabilities.

Key Insights Include:

Common HSA Mistakes: Many employees mistakenly believe they can only use the health savings account provided by their employer, limiting their options. Another prevalent error is confusing HSA contribution limits with FSA limits, resulting in underfunding their HSAs. Additionally, many fail to invest their HSA funds for long-term growth, missing out on the substantial tax advantages and investment potential HSAs offer.

Maximizing HSA Benefits: To rectify these mistakes, employees should be aware they can transfer their health savings account funds to any provider offering better terms. Maximizing contributions up to the IRS limits ($4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families in 2024) is crucial. Investing health savings account funds similarly to a traditional IRA can significantly enhance their retirement savings, capitalizing on the unmatched tax advantages of HSAs.

Strategic HSA Management: Advisors recommend finding the best health savings account provider, considering factors like interest rates and investment options. Real-world examples show substantial gains from switching to high-yield HSAs and avoiding unnecessary fees. Proper management, such as keeping receipts for future reimbursements, allows for strategic use of HSAs, ensuring funds grow tax-free and can be utilized efficiently in retirement.

SEE ALSO:

• Checking the Pulse of the HSA Market with Devenir’s Eric Remjeske

• HSA Contribution Limits Increased Slightly for 2025

The DOL’s new fiduciary rule is scheduled to become effective in September, and retirement plan advisors and plan sponsors have plenty to do to prepare for the changes it will bring.

Jerry Schlichter, founding and managing partner of Schlichter Bogard LLC and a well-known pioneer of retirement plan excessive fee litigation, visits the 401(k) Specialist Pod(k)ast to share some important insights on the upcoming changes, legal challenges and what advisors need to be doing to prepare for compliance.

SEE ALSO:

• Fred Reish Unpacks the DOL’s New Fiduciary Rule

• Nine Insurance Trade Groups Sue DOL Over Fiduciary Rule

Health Savings Accounts can be a very effective tool not only to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, but also to save for retirement thanks to a unique triple tax advantage.

To check in on the pulse of the HSA market, we talk with the co-founder and president of Devenir Research Eric Remjeske, who is also a co-author of the semi-annual Devenir HSA Marketplace Research Report, recognized as the industry standard for tracking health savings account market statistics and trends.

We’ll cover the key findings from the latest report while also talking about some market growth projections, thoughts on why more people aren’t using them as a savings tool, and 2025 HSA contribution limits.

SEE ALSO:

• Health Savings Account Asset Growth Booming

The Department of Labor released its final “Retirement Security Rule” recently, which aims to raise the legal bar for financial advisors, brokers, insurance agents and others who give retirement investment advice.

Noted ERISA attorney Fred Reish Esquire, Partner at Faegre Drinker, shares his thoughts on some of the rule’s key focuses and changes, along with implementation questions and potential hurdles to the rule becoming effective in September.

Key Insights:

1. Clarification of "Retirement Investment Advice": The updated Retirement Security Rule defines advice that is fiduciary in nature, emphasizing that even one-time advice must prioritize the investor's best interests. This redefinition aims to reinforce the legal and ethical duty advisors hold toward their clients. The new retirement security rule's implementation, scheduled for September 2024 with additional requirements phasing in by 2025, is set to introduce new compliance standards, enhancing overall financial advisory practices.
2. New Protocols for IRA Rollovers: Advisors must now perform a thorough analysis to ensure recommendations, particularly concerning IRA rollovers, align strictly with the client’s best interests. This includes comparing costs and services between the existing plan and any proposed IRA, a process that could challenge particularly those less familiar with stringent regulatory frameworks, such as independent insurance agents.
3. Impact and Industry Response: While wealth management firms may find adapting to the new standards more straightforward due to previous regulatory experiences, independent insurance agents are anticipated to face significant hurdles. The industry’s reaction is mixed, with some viewing the compliance requirements as burdensome, yet the overall sentiment recognizes the new Retirement Security Rule as a crucial step towards ensuring client interests are foremost.

SEE ALSO:

• DOL Fiduciary Rule Hit With First Lawsuit
• Breaking Down the Basics: DOL Fiduciary Rule
• DOL Final Fiduciary Rule Released, Set to Become Effective in September
• DOL Fiduciary Rule Update with Fred Reish

There’s a trend happening right now where asset managers are using a new strategy to help 401(k) plan participants manage their retirement spending: Target date funds featuring annuities.

Morningstar recently did some really interesting research on this trend, and there are some compelling reasons to believe this type of solution could gain some serious traction in the coming years.

Jason Kephart, director of multi-asset ratings for Morningstar Research Services LLC, was a lead author of the new research, and he explains why annuities in target date funds are trending, who’s getting into this market, how it can help retirement plan participants, and some of the roadblocks that need to be overcome if it is to become a broadly adopted solution.

Certainly, here are the expanded key points:

1. Innovation in Target Date Funds with Annuities: Asset managers are now integrating annuities within TDFs, aiming to aid retirees in managing their retirement income more effectively. While these innovative products have been introduced recently, they represent a small but potentially growing portion of the TDF market.
2. Addressing Retirement Income Management: The asset management industry has excelled in helping individuals accumulate savings for retirement, but support for income management post-retirement has been lacking. TDFs with annuities are proposed as a solution to this gap, offering streamlined decision-making and a reliable income stream for retirees.
3. Challenges to Adoption of Annuities in Target Date Funds: Despite the potential benefits of annuities in TDFs, there are concerns about low investor interest, possibly due to past products failing to attract users. The complexities involved in understanding annuities, the apprehension about fees, and legal considerations for plan sponsors are significant obstacles, alongside the need for educating both plan sponsors and participants about these new options.

To view the full Morningstar research, “Target Dates and Annuities… It’s Complicated,” click here.

SEE ALSO:

• New Wave of Annuities in TDFs: ‘It’s Complicated’