Category Archives: Fiduciary Advisor

529 Plan, Bright Start 529, Chicago Area Investment Advisor, Fiduciary Advisor, Hinsdale Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Unlocking Education: Your Essential Guide to 529 Investing for Illinois Families

Posted on by Matthew Rice
02
Feb

The dream of a quality education for our children is universal, but the reality of rising college costs and a mountain of student debt can feel overwhelming. If you’re an Illinois family, however, you have a powerful and often underutilized tool at your fingertips: the state’s 529 college savings plans.

This isn’t just another savings account; it’s a strategically designed, tax-advantaged pathway to a brighter educational future. Let’s dive into why 529 investing, especially in Illinois, is a game-changer for families.

What Exactly Is a 529 Plan?

Think of a 529 plan as a special savings vehicle for education. Named after a section of the IRS tax code, these plans are sponsored by states and offer incredible financial benefits. They’re incredibly versatile, covering everything from college tuition and fees to K-12 private school tuition, apprenticeship program costs, and even up to $10,000 in student loan repayments per beneficiary.

Excerpt content here and here.

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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 Jennifer Lambert
04
Jan

 

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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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 Jennifer Lambert
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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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 Jennifer Lambert
18
Jun

 

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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401(k) Plan Litigation, 401(k) Plans, Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, ERISA, Fiduciary Advisor, Roth & Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, Roth Contributions, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor

Strategic Considerations for Implementing a Roth 401(k) Option

Posted on by Jennifer Lambert
07
Jun

 

For 401(k) plan fiduciaries, the objective is clear: to provide a robust, well-managed retirement savings vehicle that maximizes participant outcomes. In this pursuit, the Roth 401(k) option stands out as a critical component, offering distinct advantages that warrant careful consideration in plan design discussions. While traditional 401(k) contributions offer immediate tax deferral, the Roth 401(k) paradigm shifts the tax burden to the present, enabling qualified withdrawals in retirement to be entirely tax-free.

This document outlines the strategic rationale for incorporating a Roth 401(k) contribution option into your plan, alongside key considerations for fiduciaries.

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