News Highlights

RIAs Starting To Create Their Own 401k Companies For the most part, the biggest, most profitable companies in the 401k market have relied almost exclusively on stock brokers to help distribute their products. But RIAs are starting to smell opportunity, because new regulations are likely make it more difficult for brokers paid by commission to operate in this environment. Source: RIABiz.com

ASPPA Requests EFAST2 Extension from DOL The following is a statement of The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) requesting a blanket extension to file the revised Form 5500 for 2009 plan years in order to implement the U.S. Department of Labor's new EFAST2 system changes. Source: ASPPA (PDF File)

The Principal launches America Rebuilds mobile site The Principal® has created a convenient mobile Web site for advisors and people on the go. Source: Principal

Seven 401(k) Mistakes You’re Probably Making Many employees continue to make 401(k) choices that may not get them to a secure retirement. Here are a few 401(k) mistakes some workers continue to make. Source: US News & World Report

DOL Publishes 2010 Regulatory Agenda for Employee Benefits Source: Southerland

Handling Spousal Consent for a Missing Spouse A participant is married and wants a distribution of her accounts. What if she notifies the plan she cannot locate the husband? Alternatively, what if she states she is unable to get spousal consent because he is unreachable due to work location? Or, in the case of battered wife in safe shelter, can the plan request the participant get a court document with provision to update marital status as single? Source: Benefitslink.com