Retirement Plan Insights
Providing educational opportunities to our 401(k) plan sponsors and plan participants brings us great joy. If reading the content below raises any questions about your situation, we encourage you to connect with us.
2024: What We Know
The difference that a year can make never ceases to amaze me. Whether it’s the development of a new hobby, the shocking amount of space between tick marks on my children’s growth chart in our kitchen, or the continued increase in the number of gray hairs on my head,...
Putting Breaking News in Perspective
We are constantly bombarded with information—everything we see is BREAKING NEWS! Yet, what is actual news? How does one discern? Most importantly, where are you right now as it relates to the information you are receiving? When it comes to our personal finances, it is...
VIDEO: Introduction to Investing
In this 10-minute video, Client Relationship and Education Manager Sue Desrosier, CFEI, BFATM provides a brief introduction to investing, including why you should participate in your 401(k) plan, different types of investments—stocks, bonds, and mutual funds—and their...
What to Focus On During Periods of Volatility
Over the past week, the banking sector has experienced one of the most sudden and tumultuous downturns since the global financial crisis of 2008–2009. Recently, the most substantial events were related to the failure of Silvergate Bank on March 8, Silicon Valley Bank...
Why Now? Context for Recent Volatility.
The market volatility that caused investors to experience strong losses in early 2022 has returned, driving the S&P 500 to new lows for the year on Monday, September 27. Whenever there is volatility, it’s helpful to ground the emotions we may feel in context....
Behavioral Finance Insights for Uncertain Times: A Virtual Conversation With Morgan Housel
For more than two years we’ve experienced a range of economic emotions, many of them familiar but with new-to-us inputs that cause us to pause and wonder, “Maybe this time, the outcome will be different.” As disciplined investors, managing our emotions will always be...
Managing Through Current Events and Related Volatility
Ben Franklin famously penned, "in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I would venture to guess that if he were around today, he would allow me to include stock market volatility as a third item on that list. But fortunately, unlike...
Volatility: Our Constant Companion
With nearly 40 years of industry experience, there are several market drawdowns that stand out in my mind, each of them with their own characteristics. We’re hearing a lot about volatility today, and we often do when the S&P 500 dips. But it’s important to...
Who’s on Your Retirement Plan Committee?
Retirement plan committees are super important; they set the direction and priorities of the company’s retirement plan. These actions (or inactions) can have a huge impact on how successful employees are at preparing for retirement. For some plan sponsors,...
2022 Deadline Nears: Review Your Plan Design
For the millions of business owners that offer a workplace retirement plan, the COVID-19 pandemic created many financial difficulties. However, as the economic climate improves, there is an opportunity for employers to refresh their company’s retirement plan. With an...
Cybersecurity Tips
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released new guidance on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity. The documents, titled Online Security Tips and Tips for Hiring a Service Provider with Strong Cybersecurity Practices, include information on how to...
Saving for Retirement 101
Paying the usual monthly bills, car loans, student loans, home loans, credit card balances ... saving for retirement can be a challenge when you have so many other competing priorities. And because retirement seems far, far away in the distant future, it can be easy...
Eight Tips to Boost Your Retirement Savings
What’s the biggest regret of most people once they retire? Not starting to save money for retirement sooner and not saving more. If that describes you, consider using some of the following tips to boost your savings now and your future income later. Set a realistic...
Stop Retirement Savings Setbacks
The global pandemic has had a staggering effect on the economic lives of millions, driving them to actions that could have long-lasting effects on their retirement savings. Facing unprecedented strain caused by the COVID-19 crisis, individuals who lack adequate...
Normalizing Retirement Savings Habits
Many American workers struggled financially before the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that this crisis could greatly hinder their ability to reach their retirement income goals. Indeed, more than three-quarters of employees (77%) say they have been...
Five Ways to Promote Greater Productivity Through Financial Wellness Programs
Employees are worried about their finances. They worry about them in the evenings, on weekends, and during working hours. Plus, with the increased stress caused by the pandemic, it’s no secret your workforce could use some help. More Than Meets the Eye Many employees...