Several years ago, my wife and I were out west where I was attending a conference. The rooms in which we were staying were nice, but it was the casino downstairs that was the hotel’s main selling point. Just off … Continue reading
As a youngster, I often went grocery shopping with my mother, and as we made our way through the store, we eventually came to the aisle with all of that glorious candy. I recall eyeing the sweet treats on the … Continue reading
Bill Cosby rather poignantly observed in one of his comedy routines that there are certain people in our lives that one never wants to hear say “oops” – the waiter who just tripped and spilled your food all over the … Continue reading
When ancient cartographers drew their maps, they often placed fanciful beasts such as dragons or sea-monsters in the regions in which they were unfamiliar. This device warned travelers that they were headed into uncharted areas and that they should be … Continue reading
Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners in the radio and television police series Dragnet were always on the trail of the facts – evidence that would point them to the perpetrator of some crime. Facts, however, don’t always tell all … Continue reading
Cooking is one of my favorite pastimes, and I generally enjoy eating what I cook. But anyone who’s been around a kitchen knows that adding spice to a dish can be a tricky proposition – not enough and your food … Continue reading
Just the other afternoon, I was speaking with the owner of Coggs, Widgets & Doohickies about his 401(k) plan, and I asked him about his plan investments. “Chris,” he said, “my wife suggested that I give the business to her … Continue reading
As service providers to qualified, defined contribution retirement plans (especially 401(k) plans) preparing to comply with the new Department of Labor regulations regarding fee disclosures, we know that one thing plan sponsors or “responsible plan fiduciaries” can count on is … Continue reading
In a recent article picked up by onwallstreet, author Tony Fernandez noted that Western District Court Judge Nannette Laughrey found that Fidelity Investments and the American unit of ABB, Inc. had breached their fiduciary duties by allowing excessive 401(k) plan … Continue reading
Many plan sponsors (who are, by definition, fiduciaries) believe that if they offer their plan participants a menu of investment choices (sometimes an almost overwhelming menu), their job is done. But many plan participants feel they’re just not ready, or … Continue reading