Don’t let Target Date Funds puzzle you! You’re a savvy participant, put your Target Date
Fund knowledge to the test and see how many of the questions you can answer below! August 2014 Employee Memo
July Retirement Report
July’s Retirement Report has some great topics. The first of which is what to expect and a timeline for transitioning providers. The next topic talks about the future of retirement plans-It is estimated that by 2017 plan 59% of plan sponsors will have received a level retirement readiness report. Finally a quick look at GAP Analysis-Participant-directed retirement plans put onus on the employee to make important decisions regarding their financial future. The obvious (and most important step) an employee can take when it comes to his or her retirement plan is to participate in the plan. But what is the next important step? July 2014
Save Early, Reach Your Goal
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make as a participant is to not contribute to your plan as soon as you are eligible to do so. The earlier you start contributing to your retirement plan, the more time compounding interest has to work on your behalf. Putting off contributions to the retirement savings plan today means increased contributions to reach the same goals tomorrow. July 2014 Employee Memo
2nd Quarter Newsletter 6/30/2014
The “I” word is back. Where you might ask? Have you booked a flight or hotel room recently? The price of gasoline has been consistently close to $4.00 a gallon. Commodities of all types from food to raw materials have seen upward price pressures. But is it a bad thing? I’m not referring to that persistent double digit variety that those of us of a certain age can still remember. Inflation has been essentially non-existent as an investment theme for several years. Central banks have been working hard the last few years to actually create inflation for fear that the alternative, deflation, would result in a serious contraction of economic activity. The economy stagnates or even contracts as everyone does less waiting for lower prices. Shoppers spend less, businesses invest and build less and government collects less taxes. Newsletter 6-30-2014
June Retirement Report
The determination of reasonableness of fees has always been a core fiduciary function for ERISA plan sponsors. ERISA Section 408(b)(2) regulations increased scrutiny on this responsibility. The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken this step to solidify specific requirements for plan sponsors and service providers, regarding communication of fee information. June 2014
How long will your money last?
With all of the advanced education and strategy tools available, it is still often difficult for employees to understand the difference between what they can save for retirement and what is needed to retire. Sometimes, it is helpful to see what your account will actually provide over the course of your retirement. It can also help you set an achievable goal. June 2014 Employee Memo
The Weekly Bottom Line
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
• The U.S. economy appears to be sustaining the robust economic momentum kick-started in the second
quarter. Labor market fundamentals continue to improve. Job openings from the JOLTs survey surpassed
their pre-recession peak, and details of the NFIB small business optimism survey were also encouraging.
• Economic news from across the Atlantic disappointed this week. The Eurozone’s economy stalled in Q2,
as none of the bloc’s largest economies – Germany, France nor Italy – posted any growth.
• Lack of growth in Europe alongside heightened geopolitical concerns over the situation in eastern Ukraine
have led to increased demand for the safest bonds, sending German, U.K. and U.S. yields lower. See Weekly Bottom Line
Understanding Investing Basics: Asset Classes
What exactly are “asset classes” and how do they impact your retirement plan investing decisions? Simply put, there are three primary investment types, or asset classes: Cash, Bonds, and Stocks. Each of these asset classes has different investment objectives, and has historically performed differently in reaction to varying market conditions. May 2014 Employee Memo
May Retirement Report
In today’s market environment, many people are asking themselves “where can I find opportunity in fixed income?” It is a fair question; as rising rates will inevitably hurt the performance of most fixed income sectors. Participants have been riding a massive wave of decreasing rates and have become accustomed to 8% annual rates of return to their retirement plans from their core fixed income fund. Since those days are likely over, where do you go from here? May 2014
1st Quarter Newsletter 3/31/2014
This past winter season’s weather has been the one of the worst on record. Snow covered a large portion of the United States from mid – December through the end of March. The Great Lakes were completely ice covered. Ice storms left large portions of the country without power for extended periods and have damaged roads and other infrastructure. Travel disruptions were widespread and persistent. Consumer’s shopping, dining and entertainment plans were disrupted as well. Employees lost work hours due to the inability to get to work and employers lost revenue, all due to the persistent grip of winter weather. Newsletter 3-31-2014
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