Ted Godbout

Capped by a strong 2019, the 2010s by many measures was the decade of the defined contribution investor, according to Alight’s 2020 Universe Benchmarks report.  Thanks in large part to employers adopting automatic features, there were more workers participating in plans, the average savings rate... READ MORE

An annual fee study evaluating trends in the cost of U.S. open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) finds that the asset-weighted average expense ratio dropped to 0.45% in 2019.   Morningstar’s 2019 U.S. Fund Fee Study released June 8 found that the asset-weighted average expense... READ MORE

Nearly every employer that sponsors a retirement plan should be concerned about potential liability for excessive fee claims, but it appears there are some plan characteristics that may make a plan more susceptible to being sued, according to a new white paper.    Co-authored by Chubb and the... READ MORE

The House of Representatives has approved stand-alone legislation that seeks to alleviate complications small business owners encountered under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).    Introduced by Reps. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Chip Roy (R-TX), the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act... READ MORE

New legislation would significantly expand the existing credit to cover the wages and benefits—including 401(k) contributions—of employees of businesses affected by COVID-19 until the pandemic subsides, but the bill does come with some strings attached.   Introduced May 21 by Sen. Mark Warner (D-... READ MORE

While next year may seem like a ways off, the IRS has just published the 2021 inflation-adjusted amounts for health savings accounts (HSAs). In Revenue Procedure 2020-32 the IRS announced that for calendar year 2021, the annual limitation on deductions under Code Section 223(b)(2)(A) for an... READ MORE

After a turbulent first quarter, 401(k) investors responded with a slower trading month in April, according to the Alight Solutions 401(k) Index.  There were only three days of “above-normal” trading activity, all within the first week of the month. This comes after the firm reported that there... READ MORE

While much of the government is working from home, the Labor Department has dropped off its proposal for a Request for Information on Pooled Employer Plans at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).    A May 1 update by the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is... READ MORE

In response to the logistical challenges created by the Coronavirus pandemic, some states are taking steps to authorize virtual notarization.   Given the unprecedented circumstances and the various notary-based requirements to conduct business transactions in person, these developments could be... READ MORE