Category Archives: Pensions

Endowments and Foundations, Family Office, Fiduciary Advisor, Financial Planning, Investment Strategy, Pensions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a 403(B) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Pension Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Endowment or Foundation Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

The Vista of Insight and the Mark of Excellence: Why We Founded Vistamark Investments

Posted on by Matthew Rice
20
Sep

 

We founded Vistamark Investments LLC because we knew that clients and institutions deserve a new standard of partnership. Our careers have given us an insider’s perspective on how much the industry needed to evolve. We saw firsthand how investment firms too often fall back on “off-the-shelf” solutions, ignore experience-driven innovation, and fail to build around what investors and organizations truly need. Vistamark isn’t just an advisor practice—it’s a purpose-built, full-service investment platform that blends world-class research, technology, and bespoke client service.

Our name reflects our philosophy: Vistamark stands for the Vista of Insight and the Mark of Excellence. We’re driven to offer a broad perspective on each client’s financial landscape—paired with relentless standards and an unwavering commitment to best-in-class results. Every relationship, every investment strategy, every partnership is held to our mark of excellence.

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401(k) Plan Litigation, 401(k) Plans, Active Versus Passive Management, Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Non-Fiduciary Advisor, Pensions, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Shield Your 401(k) Plan: 5 Essential Strategies to Prevent Fiduciary Lawsuits

Posted on by Matthew Rice
27
Aug

The landscape for 401(k) plan sponsors has become increasingly challenging. With over 200 ERISA class-action lawsuits filed since 2020, fiduciary litigation targeting 401(k) plans is surging, creating unprecedented legal exposure. High-profile cases, even against well-respected entities like NYU and Fidelity, highlight a stark reality: even the most well-intentioned fiduciaries can face devastating personal liability for participant losses.

But here’s the good news: you’re not powerless. By implementing these five evidence-backed strategies, you can significantly shield your plan from costly litigation while simultaneously strengthening outcomes for your participants.

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401(k) Plans, Active Versus Passive Management, Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Non-Fiduciary Advisor, Pensions, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Navigating Your Fiduciary Compass: A Guide for 401(k) Investment Committee Members

Posted on by Matthew Rice
23
Aug

 

As a 401(k) investment committee member, you hold a position of profound trust and critical responsibility. This isn’t merely an oversight role; you are a plan fiduciary, legally and ethically bound to act exclusively in the best interests of your plan participants and their beneficiaries. This article serves as a direct guide for every committee member to effectively fulfill these vital duties and navigate the complexities of plan governance.

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Corporate Defined Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Non-Fiduciary Advisor, Pensions, Selecting a Pension Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Navigating the Future: Why Asset Liability Management is Key for Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Posted on by Matthew Rice
18
Aug

 

Corporate defined benefit (DB) pension plans are constantly navigating a turbulent financial sea, buffeted by market volatility, a shifting regulatory landscape, and ever-evolving liabilities. While many U.S. corporate plans enjoyed a strong 2024, with the top 100 boasting over 103% funded status, this hard-won stability is now at risk from anticipated rate cuts and a climate of geopolitical uncertainty. To truly safeguard these gains and ensure long-term solvency, forward-thinking sponsors are no longer just seeking returns; they’re embracing Asset Liability Management (ALM) and Liability-Driven Investing (LDI). These aren’t just buzzwords; they represent a fundamental shift, transforming pension management from a growth-focused endeavor into a precision-driven exercise in risk mitigation.

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Cash Balance Plans, Defined Benefit Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Non-Fiduciary Advisor, Pensions, Selecting a Pension Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Cash Balance Plans: The Hybrid Solution Powering Retirement and Tax Savings

Posted on by Matthew Rice
20
Apr

 

The world of retirement planning is constantly evolving, and for business owners and high-earning professionals, the quest for strategies that maximize savings, slash taxes, and offer robust flexibility is more critical than ever. If you’ve been searching for a game-changer, allow us to introduce you to the cash balance plan – a powerful, yet often overlooked, retirement vehicle that masterfully blends the best features of traditional pensions and modern 401(k)s.

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Alternative Investments, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrencies, Endowments, Family Office, Foundations, Hedge Fund Strategies, Hedge Funds, Liquid Alternatives, Nonprofits, Pensions, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Hedge Funds Through 2025: Evolution, Growth, and Market Dynamics – A Deep Dive

Posted on by Sean McEvilly
14
Feb

The hedge fund industry has undergone significant transformation, experiencing unprecedented growth, evolving strategies, and adapting to new market realities. Global hedge fund assets have surged to record levels approaching $4.5 trillion by the end of 2024, representing more than a doubling of industry assets from the $2 trillion managed in 2010. This expansion reflects the industry’s resilience through multiple market cycles, technological advancement, and evolving investor preferences for diversified, risk-adjusted returns.

University endowments have historically allocated significant assets to hedge funds. By fiscal year 2024, the average endowment had 16.1 percent of its assets invested in marketable alternatives, a category that includes hedge funds (Source: 2024 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments). In part due to the well-publicized success of some large university endowments, smaller endowments, foundations, museums, libraries, healthcare organizations, and other nonprofit institutions have sought similar investment approaches. While effective hedge fund investing can help endowment and foundation investors meet investment objectives, it also brings specialized risks and challenges that must be diligently managed.

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401(k) Loans, 401(k) Plan Litigation, 401(k) Plans, Active Versus Passive Management, Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Employer Match, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Non-Fiduciary Advisor, Pensions, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Crafting Your 401(k) Investment Policy Statement: Your Roadmap to Retirement Success

Posted on by Matthew Rice
18
Sep

 

Running a 401(k) plan comes with significant responsibility. As a fiduciary, you’re tasked with safeguarding your employees’ financial futures, a role that demands careful planning and unwavering diligence. While it might sound like another piece of corporate jargon, a well-crafted 401(k) Investment Policy Statement (IPS) isn’t just a document—it’s your strategic blueprint.

Think of the IPS as the compass guiding your plan’s investment journey. It helps you navigate fiduciary duties, maintain consistency, and, most importantly, demonstrate procedural prudence under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). And while it’s not legally mandated, it’s widely considered a best practice and often a key request during regulatory audits.

Ready to build your plan’s financial fortress? Here’s your step-by-step guide to writing an effective IPS:

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