COMMENTARY: First, Do No Harm to 401k Plans - Summary: The author writes, "Theresa Ghilarducci's proposal to replace the 401k with a government subsided plan would make a flawed system more flawed." Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Some 401k Sponsors Still Fans of Unbundled Services - Summary: The Spectrem research report said unbundled usage is highest among those with plan assets of $50 million to $199 million and that those going the unbundled route are more likely than those bundling to bring in a consultant to advise on their plan decisions. Located at: Planadviser.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

"Flawed" 401k Laws Putting Retirement at Risk - Summary: Congress needs to reform "flawed" 401k laws that could push back retirement for millions of Americans whose savings have collapsed along with the stock market, a University of Illinois elder law expert says. Located at: Consumeraffairs.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Many Firms Likely to Discontinue 401k Matches - Summary: General Motors recently announced it would stop matching employees' 401k contributions. Sadly, that's likely to become the norm at many companies, especially if the economic crisis deepens and lasts into next year or beyond, USA Today reports. Located at: Financial-Planning.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

LaRue, The Postscript - Summary: Remember the grave concern in different quarters about whether the Supreme Court's ruling in LaRue would lead to a flood of litigation? Turns out it didn't even do so in the LaRue case itself, which, now on remand at the trial court level, has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiff to avoid the expense of litigating the case. Located at: BostonERISAlaw.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Age-Based Retirement Investing - Summary: A white paper that discusses how does age-based (as opposed to retirement date) asset allocation respond to participant needs? It starts with the obvious – participants know their age. Age-based asset allocation can simplify investment decisions for the majority of "do it for me" participants. Located at: Securian Retirement , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

403(b) Plans Must Meet January 1, 2009 Deadline - Summary: Financial advisers, 403(b) administrators and plan sponsors who fail to understand the new 403(b) Plan rules face a rude awakening. All 403(b) plans must implement fundamental changes before January 1, 2009. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

VIDEO: Misinformation on Chairman Miller's 401k Position - Summary: Rep. George Miller (D-CA) responds to Neil Cavuto on the spread of misinformation regarding his position on the 401k tax incentives. Located at: Fox News, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

AUDIO: Annuities and Retirement Plans - Summary: The speaker believes that the Retirement Security for Life Act is bad policy. According to Jane White, "The tax savings, however would be totally offset by the fees and questionable sales practices of one of the most poorly regulated investment products in the country-and one whose existence is unnecessary." Located at: Employee Benefit Adviser, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

GM Won't Be Alone in Freezing Its 401k Match - Summary: Employees aren't the only ones thinking about suspending their 401k contributions as a result of the economic crisis. Many employers may be discussing a similar move with regard to 401k matches, experts say. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Election and Retirement Security - Summary: The author notes, "The election is now only days away and will occur within the context of a financial markets meltdown. The effect on retirement security has been significant. Public policy considerations must be addressed asap." Located at: Pension and Benefits Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Stable Value Fund Due Diligence - Summary: Monitoring a stable value funds MV/BV ratio, underlying portfolio attributes, cash-flows and wrap exposures are important due diligence steps for a plan fiduciary in this environment. Located at: Fiduciary Investor Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Investors Stick With 401ks - Summary: Despite the recent daily thousand-point swings in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the understandable uncertainty among investors, Individual Retirement Accounts and 401k plans still remain American's dominant and trusted retirement vehicles. Located at: OnWallStreet.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

IRS 403(b) Phone Forum Planned - Summary: January 1, 2009 is coming up! Are you ready for the Final 403(b) Regulations? Please join Bob Architect on December 4th as he discusses the facts about it. Mr. Architect will answer questions following his presentation. Limited registration is now open! Located at: IRS, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

IRA and 401k Plans: Early Withdrawals and Required Distributions - Summary: This CRS Report summarizes the provisions of law that govern the taxes applicable to pre-retirement distributions from retirement accounts, and the situations in which distributions must be taken from a plan in order to avoid a tax penalty. Located at: Congressional Research Service , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Debating DB vs. DC plans - Summary: Plan sponsors are trying to connect the dots on how the Wall Street crash will affect their retirement plan benefits. Watson Wyatt's experts recently weighed in on the pros and cons of defined benefit and 401k plans amid a financial crisis. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

The Latest Bad News For Your 401k? - Summary: American workers, forced to look on helplessly as the value of their 401ks sink in sync with the Dow, now have something else to worry about. On Wednesday, General Motors told its nonunion employees that starting next month, it would stop matching their contributions to their 401k plans until business conditions improve. Located at: Washington Post (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Attorneys Ask for Delay of 403(b) Effective Date - Summary: In a letter signed by 33 403(b) practitioners and advisers, two attorneys requested an extension of the effective date for complying with the written plan requirement dictated by final 403(b) regulations last year. Located at: Planadviser.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DOL Issues New ERISA Interpretive Bulletins Regarding Economically Targeted Investments and Proxy Voting - Summary: DOL sends a strong message to plan fiduciaries that ERISA requires them to consider as a threshold matter only the plan's economic interests when making decisions regarding the acquisition, management and disposition of plan investments. Located at: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Congress May Address 'Fundamental' Retirement Plan Reform - Summary: For the second time in as many weeks, Rep. George Miller (D-CA) has hinted that broad and sweeping legislation addressing the U.S. retirement system may be in the offing when Congress convenes next year. Located at: Benefits Biz Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

House Committee Signals Intent to Revamp Retirement Landscape - Summary: George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, has called for a major overhaul of 401k plans. Miller reiterated his position that 401k plans were not designed to support individuals in retirement and are failing to do so. Located at: ERISA Industry Committee, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

10-Point Plan to Help Strengthen the Retirement System - Summary: The recent economic turmoil is substantially and negatively affecting virtually every aspect of our financial lives. Among the areas most adversely affected is retirement security. This is an outline of the American Benefits Council's 10 point plan to help employees and retirees and to strengthen the economy and the retirement system. Located at: American Benefits Council , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

The Tyranny of Choice - Summary: An examination of the way traditional 401k plans have failed participants by putting the burden of investment management on them. Located at: Capital Directions Investment Advisors , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Would Obama, Dems Kill 401k Plans? - Summary: The author writes, "House Democrats recently invited Teresa Ghilarducci, a professor at the New School of Social Research, to testify before a subcommittee on her idea to eliminate the preferential tax treatment of the popular retirement plans. In place of 401k plans, she would have workers transfer their dough into government-created 'guaranteed retirement accounts' for every worker." Located at: US News Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Climate Change and the Pension Protection Act - Summary: It is important for 401k plan sponsors to understand default investing under the Pension Protection Act in order to eliminate vendors who engage in self-dealing or fail to follow prudent procedures. This paper uses a questions and answers format to provide insight on the issue. Located at: Avatar Associates , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Are Retirement Savings Too Exposed to Market Risk? - Summary: Much of the reform discussion regarding private sector employer-sponsored pensions has focused on extending coverage. But the current financial tsunami also underlines the need to construct arrangements where the full market risk does not fall on pension participants. Located at: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DC Plan Distribution Choices at Retirement - Summary: Research on DC plan participants largely has focused on participants' decisionmaking during their working years. This study reports the findings from a new survey of recent retirees who had participated in DC plans, focusing on the decisions they made at retirement. Located at: Investment Company Institute , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Fiduciary Safe Harbor for Terminated Plans Requires Direct Rollover to IRA - Summary: EBSA adopted its 2007 interim rule as final – requiring the fiduciary of a terminated individual account plan with benefits payable to a missing non-spouse beneficiary to transfer those benefits to an IRA in order to meet the fiduciary safe harbor. Fiduciaries who comply with the “missing participant and beneficiary” safe harbor receive a significant advantage. Located at: Benefitslink.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Final 403(b) Regulations Require Action by January 1, 2009 - Summary: This article summarizes the new regulatory requirements and lists what an employer needs to do in the coming months to prepare for the January 1, 2009 effective date. Located at: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Crisis Pushes Candidates to Weigh in on 401ks - Summary: The financial crisis that has walloped many employees' and retirees' 401k and other retirement plan account balances also has spurred both presidential candidates to unveil proposals to ease the tax bite of plan withdrawals. Located at: Pension and Investments Online (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Are Owners of 401ks Blameful for Crash? - Summary: The author writes, "Here's an idle thought to occupy your time formerly spent scrutinizing your now-swooning retirement account: How much of the current financial-system fiasco was driven by people who were, not so long ago, opening their 401k statements, reading them and wondering why the returns weren't even higher?" Located at: Seattle Post Intelligencer, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Presidential Candidates Weigh in With Their Views on 401ks - Summary: Obama, McCain take different approaches in improving employee access to 401k plan balances and in lowering the taxes retirees pay when they receive a 401k plan distribution. Located at: Workforce Management (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

401k Plans Add Exchange-Traded Funds - Summary: Providers of exchange-traded funds have for years been pushing to offer their products inside 401k plans -- without tremendous success. Now, amid tumultuous markets and heightened scrutiny of 401ks, they seem to be making some headway. Located at: Wall Street Jounal Online, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Market Turmoil: What DC Plan Sponsors Need to Consider - Summary: Times of crisis often bring to light needed changes that might otherwise be overlooked. In addition, employees are likely to look to their employers for guidance at such times—and are very likely to remember the effectiveness of their employer's response. For these reasons, a timely and well-conceived response is critical. Located at: Buck Consultants , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Switching 401k and Other ERISA Plan Vendors - Summary: Plan fiduciaries may face risks, including personal liability, when corporate decision makers turn their attention to retirement and welfare plan administration as a source of savings in perilous economic times. The authors discuss some of the most notable areas for possible ERISA violations when fiduciaries face corporate cost-cutting pressures. Located at: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DOL Revises ERISA Interpretive Statements on Shareholder Rights and Economically Targeted Investments - Summary: On October 17, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor published in the Federal Register interpretive bulletins updating and modifying its prior bulletins on the exercise of shareholder rights, including proxy voting, and on economically targeted investments by ERISA-governed employee benefit plans. Located at: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

What Are Your Fiduciary Duties Regarding Revenue-Sharing Arrangements? - Summary: The trend toward disclosure and transparency is well under way and is accelerating. Once fiduciaries are regularly receiving the additional information on fees, expenses, and revenue sharing, the expectations for fiduciary prudence will be heightened. Fiduciaries will be expected to review and evaluate the information they receive and to make informed decisions for the benefit of the participants. Located at: Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

How Do Lower-Income Families Think about Retirement? - Summary: This paper presents evidence on this question based on 51 qualitative interviews with low-income families in the Detroit area. They find that the great majority of low-income households think about retirement, although this does not necessarily mean they are able to plan and/or save actively for retirement. Located at: Michigan Retirement Research Center , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Retirement Plan Comparison Chart - Summary: This chart compares SIMPLE IRA, SIMPLE 401k, Safe Harbor 401k and QACA plans. Located at: McKay Hochman, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Required Minimum Distribution FAQ - Summary: Answers to a few questions related to Required Minimum Distributions. Located at: McKay Hochman, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act - Summary: The EESA contains a few provisions related to retirement plans. That article highlights some of them. Located at: McKay Hochman, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Plans to Ease Withdrawal Rules Draw Criticism - Summary: Proposals swirling around Washington that would relax minimum-distribution rules for retirement plans are drawing a skeptical response from advisers. Located at: Investmentnews.com (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

House Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401k Tax Breaks - Summary: Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation's $3 trillion 401k system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401k investors receive. Located at: Workforce Management (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DOL Reiterates Position on SRI Investment Criteria and Proxy Voting - Summary: The DOL announced the issuance of new guidance under the ERISA clarifying the obligations of plan fiduciaries when considering shareholder rights and investments in economically targeted investments. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Social Networking and 401ks Can Be a Good Fit - Summary: Two years ago, when Ann Bender suggested using Best Buy's internal social networking site to tout the company's 401k plan, she was met with blank stares. But social networking sites may prove to be powerful marketing tool for 401k plans. Located at: Workforce Management (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Surplus Assets Transferred to 401k Plan Cannot Fund Matching Contributions - Summary: Two recent IRS private letter rulings indicate that sponsors cannot use surplus assets from a terminating defined benefit plan for matching contributions under a defined contribution replacement plan. Located at: Watson Wyatt, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

IRS Proposed Regulations on Distribution Notices - Summary: The IRS has issued proposed regulations, mandated by PPA, that affect the timing and content of distribution notices. Located at: Sungard/Relius, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Lawmakers Call for End of RMD Penalty - Summary: Two Congressional lawmakers have formally called on the Treasury Department to suspend the tax penalty for taxpayers who do not take the minimum required distribution from their 401ks. Located at: Planadviser.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: The Achilles' Heel of the Voluntary Retirement System - Summary: When it comes to saving, there are two big questions looming over us: Are we saving enough? Can we save enough? Located at: Plansponsor Institute Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Are All Americans Saving Optimally for Retirement? - Summary: Many people fear that Americans are preparing poorly for retirement. But developing rigorous evidence on this issue is difficult. This paper briefly discusses evidence on the adequacy of retirement wealth accumulation. The paper concludes that existing descriptive evidence does not seem consistent with dire assessments of poor financial preparation. Located at: Michigan Retirement Research Center , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Preparation for Retirement, Financial Literacy and Cognitive Resources - Summary: Traditional economic models assume that individuals have full information and act perfectly rationally. However, this paper shows that there is considerable variation in financial literacy in the population and propose modeling the acquisition of financial knowledge in a human capital production framework. Located at: Michigan Retirement Research Center , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Crisis Calls for Communication - Summary: As employees struggle with the personal implications of current market meltdowns, communications tips from Watson Wyatt will resonate with senior leaders, benefit directors and other HR professionals. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Crisis Sparks New Debate on Retirement Benefits - Summary: The current financial crisis has renewed debate on Capitol Hill on how to ensure U.S. workers are saving enough for retirement, and how to guarantee that they have enough money to retire comfortably. Located at: Society for Human Resource Management, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Automatic Enrollment – Time to Plan and Act - Summary: This is an introduction to the basics of automatic contribution arrangements and an overview of how automatic enrollment (with or without employer matching contributions) can maximize retirement savings for all employees, with employee dollars. Located at: Chang, Ruthenberg & Long, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: RMDs Make the Big Time - Summary: While the world's finance chiefs convened over the week to staunch the global market collapse, U.S. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barrack Obama were proposing one "fix" in particular that grabbed attention: modifying the section 401(a)(9) rules on required minimum distributions. Located at: Benefits Biz Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Market Mess Exposes Gaps in 401k Savers' Knowledge - Summary: HR managers in recent weeks are realizing that despite all the financial education they offer, many employees still don't understand the fundamentals of 401k plans. Located at: Workforce Management (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Crisis Recasts Debate on Pensions Versus 401ks - Summary: The financial crisis starkly highlights the relative pros and cons of defined benefit pensions and 401k plans, according to experts at Watson Wyatt. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Advisers Must Address Clients' 401k Fears - Summary: Advisers need to brace themselves for more changes in and scrutiny of 401k plans, particularly as investors have witnessed their nest eggs dwindle dramatically in recent weeks, according to one retirement expert. Located at: Investmentnews.com (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Are 401ks Still Viable? - Summary: The steepness of this year's market collapse and the still-uncertain depth of the economic downturn has prompted lawmakers, academics and economists to question the wisdom of letting workers hitch their retirement fortunes to the precariousness of the stock market. Located at: Washington Post, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Be the Master of Your 401k Domain - Summary: As the financial crisis continued to unfold and the stock market crashed, there was an increasing number of news stories and TV segments aimed at trying to help everyday people sort this out and assess what it all means for their future. Located at: Thestreet.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 - Summary: This is a summary and analysis of the major provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Located at: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Recommendations for Improving the Retirement Plan System - Summary: The author doesn't agree with those who are advocating a universal pension system, as was heard at the recent House hearings on "The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers' Retirement Security. She does suggest in this piece a number of ways to improve the current system. Located at: BenefitsBlog.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: LaRue and the Participant Disclosure Regulations - Summary: The author writes, "We have commented in the past on how the REAL impact of the DOL's 'three pronged' disclosure effort lies not in each discrete set of rules, but in how they interact with each other. Our friend and fellow blogger Jerry Kalish...has wryfully dubbed this effect as 'The Three Amigos.' This will be tough enough, but their impact gets even more complicated when you take a look at the interplay of the Supreme Court's decision in LaRue v. DeWolff...with the Three Amigos." Located at: Benefits Biz Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Improving Plan Diversification Through Reenrollment in a QDIA - Summary: This paper examines the legal and practical considerations plan sponsors should address when deciding whether to reenroll participants into a qualified default investment alternative (QDIA), such as a target-date fund. Located at: Vanguard Strategic Retirement Consulting , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

America's Retirement Outlook and Policy Priorities - Summary: The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies conducted this survey to gauge how retirement confidence has changed over the past year and to find out what Americans think the next President and Congress should focus on to help improve their ability to achieve a financially secure retirement. Located at: Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DOL Publishes Final ERISA Regulations on Annuity Selection for DC Plans - Summary: The DOL has published final regulations providing a fiduciary safe harbor under ERISA for the selection of annuities as distribution vehicles for defined contribution retirement plans. Located at: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Participants Must be Noticed - Summary: Several DC plan designs and provisions require plan sponsors to provide annual notices to participants. As the 2008 plan year is nearing its end, it is important to look ahead at the notices that may need to be provided before the start of the 2009 plan year. This publication provides a summary of those notice requirements, including timing, contents, and method of delivery. Located at: Prudential Retirement , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Congress Mulls Major 401k Changes - Summary: A wide range of sweeping changes to the 401k system were proposed Tuesday at a hearing on how the market crisis has devastated retirement savings plans. Chief among them was eliminating $80 billion in tax savings for higher-income people enrolled in 401k retirement savings plans. Located at: Investmentnews.com (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Financial Education Vital to Navigate Today's Tough Times - Summary: With gas prices and foreclosures at an all-time high, debt levels soaring, and paltry savings rates that Americans are infamous for, consumers are in dire need of financial help--so much so that financial education is becoming an industry. Located at: Financial Finesse , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

ERIC Files Comments on DOL Proposed Regulation on Investment Advice - Summary: ERIC on October 6 submitted to the Department of Labor these comments on a proposed regulation and proposed class exemption on investment advice. Located at: ERISA Industry Committee, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Advisers Set to Benefit from Transformation of 403(b) Plans - Summary: Prior to the recent new regulations this employer segment did not really need an adviser, but as 403(b) plans are being made to look more like 401ks a new market is developing for retirement plan experts. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Participation in Retirement Plans Showed a Significant Increase, First Since 1998 - Summary: The percentage of workers participating in an employment-based retirement plan increased significantly in 2007 for the first time since 1998, with the increase affecting virtually all categories of workers, according to a study released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Employment-Based Retirement Plan Participation: Geographic Differences and Trends - Summary: Wage and salary workers in the South, West, and Southwest had the lowest participation levels while the upper Midwest and Northeast had the highest levels. Located at: Employee Benefit Research Institute , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Enhanced Fee Disclosure by ERISA Plan Sponsors Required and New Reporting for Plan Service Providers Proposed - Summary: Under several pending and final regulations, the Department of Labor will require more and enhanced disclosure of the fees that service providers receive in connection with the services that they render to certain employee benefit plans subject to ERISA or to the prohibited transaction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. This update examines these regulations as well as the impact they may have on ERISA plan sponsors. Located at: Dechert LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

The DOLs Burst of Regulatory Activity Today - Summary: The DOL has announced final rules pertaining to the requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The new rules relate to distribution of 401k benefits for missing nonspouse beneficiaries in terminated plans, selection of annuity providers and cross trading of securities by plans governed by the ERISA. Located at: BenefitsBlog.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Plan Expenses Attributable to Separated Vested Participants - Summary: The DOL now permits employers to allocate the administrative expenses associated with these former employee accounts to such accounts (i.e. active participants need not share in the expenses associated with these accounts). However, if employers want to take advantage of this rule, their plan documents will have to be amended accordingly. Located at: BenefitsBlog.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

ABC Statement Submitted to House Education and Labor Committee - Summary: In conjunction with the House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee hearing on the economy's implications for Americans' retirement security, the American Benefits Council submitted this statement for the record asserting the strength and resilience of the voluntary employer-sponsored benefits system. Located at: American Benefits Council , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Fiduciary Prudence is Key in Times of Market Extremes - Summary: We are experiencing extreme turmoil in the U.S. financial markets. The volatility is incredible, especially compared to the relative low volatility in the markets during the beginning of this decade. While these conditions will have yet-to-be determined effects for plan participants, they certainly amplify the importance of fiduciary prudence for plan fiduciaries. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

VIDEO: House Hearing on the Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers' Retirement Security - Summary: This hearing examined how the current financial crisis is impacting pension funds and workers' directed retirement accounts, such as 401k plans. As Dallas Salisbury said, "Chairman Miller made it clear that this hearing is the first in an effort to make major changes in the nation's employment-based defined contribution programs." Located at: House Committee on Education and Labor, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Perfect Time to Push 401k Participation - Summary: Despite offering a host of resources to boost 401k participation, employers believe workers' failure to participate in defined contribution plans often stems from their efforts to pay other household bills, reports Aon Consulting Worldwide. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

What is This "Credit Crisis" and How Does it Effect My 401k? - Summary: This article will help plan sponsors and their participants sort through all of the information out there so that they can decide if they need to react to, or if they can take advantage of, what is happening in the financial markets. Located at: MJM401k.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Courts Divide on Fiduciary Status of 401k Plan Service Providers - Summary: As the 401k fee lawsuits progress, the federal district courts continue to grapple with the issue of whether the defendant service provider qualifies as an ERISA fiduciary. As to this issue, the courts were particularly busy last week, issuing the two decisions that are summarized here. Located at: Groom Law Group , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Final 408(b)(2) Regulation Will be Issued Soon - Summary: The DOL has considered the comments and testimony from the hearings and has completed its work on the final regulation. On September 23, the regulation was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the final step in the approval process for all federal agency regulations. Located at: Reish Luftman Reicher & Cohen, PC , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Ten Steps to Care for Your Retirement Plan - Summary: With financial markets seemingly out of control, what can you do to take care of your retirement plan? Review this list to ensure you are maximizing your retirement opportunities. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

ERISA Revenue-Sharing Litigation Update - Summary: Over the past two years, numerous putative class actions have been filed challenging alleged revenue-sharing practices in connection with 401k plans and other types of pension plans. This is a summary of the decisions and a brief update on the current state of the litigation. Located at: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Is Your Defined-Contribution Plan Leaking? - Summary: It's in everyone's best interest for companies to keep employees from cashing out their 401k plans when they leave, defined-contribution specialist Lori Lucas says in this commentary. Located at: Workforce Management (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Benefits of Delaying Your Retirement - Summary: Though you may start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62, you have to wait until full retirement age to receive full benefits. This chart lets you find out how much your benefits will increase if you work beyond that age. Located at: Wiserwomen.org , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Younger Workers Hurt When Boomers Can't Afford to Retire - Summary: Employers may wish that they hadn't listened to the consultants who advised them to dump defined benefit pension plans for 401k plans, because now they are stuck with a costly workforce that can't afford to retire at age 65. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Puerto Rico's New Pre-Tax Contribution Limits and Spinoff Rules - Summary: The Puerto Rican legislature recently passed a new law increasing limits on pre-tax contributions to Puerto Rican qualified plans. This change affects both dual-qualified and solely qualified plans, and it increases the limit over the next five years. In addition, a recent IRS ruling issued has changed the U.S. tax treatment of dual-qualified plans that spin off assets into solely qualified plans. Located at: Vanguard , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: The 'Anti-Participant Rule' -- Part 2 - Summary: Scott Simon writes, "Our armed forces around the world are engaged in serious work. In sharp contrast to that fact is the specter of the Department of Labor and certain providers of products and services to retirement plans and the special interest groups which represent them acting out a charade over the last few years on the Department of Labor 408(b)(2) cost disclosure project." Located at: Morningstar.com , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

2010 Funds Have Rough Quarter - Summary: A growing number of 401k plan participants -- as well as plan sponsors and their advisers -- will be curious to know how the target-date fund offerings on their menus have fared. Located at: Planadviser.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

COMMENTARY: Investment Advice -- ERISA's Culture War - Summary: The author writes, "...in today's environment, members of Congress may be inclined to condemn any regulatory action that relies on the prudence and good judgment of a financial institution. It would be unfortunate if the advice proposal were the victim of this environment. Participants would be the losers." Located at: Pension and Benefits Blog, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

IRS Employee Plans News - Fall 2008 Edition - Summary: Topics include: Weathering the Storm: Advising Clients about Loans and Hardship Withdrawals from Retirement Plans; Employee Plans' FY 2009 Work Plan; Web Spins; Update on Pre-Approved Plan Program for 403(b) Plans; Take Our Survey: Help Us Expand and Improve Our Self-Correction Program!; Relief for Hurricane Victims, and more. Located at: IRS , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Who Gets Retirement Plans and Why - Summary: This takes a detailed look at the demographic and workforce factors that help determine whether an employer is likely to offer, and workers are likely to seek, deferred compensation in the form of retirement benefits to replace some cash compensation. Located at: Investment Company Institute , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide - Summary: Hewitt's Federal Legislation Quick Guide provides short updates on federal legislation that is currently under active consideration by Congress or has recently been enacted into law, regarding health and welfare benefit plans, retirement plans, and human resources and employment law. Located at: Hewitt Associates LLC , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Six Ways to Quash 401k Anxieties Over the Financial Crisis - Summary: Lynn Unsworth, regional manager of Capital Associated Industries, offers a few tips to help employers ease workers' concerns about their 401k balances in light of the recent mood swings of the stock market. Located at: Employee Benefit News (free registration may be required), October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Evaluating Target-Date Funds - Summary: Four key considerations for selecting and monitoring target-date funds so plan sponsors can help participants prepare for retirement. Located at: Vanguard , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

ABCs Senate Comments on 401k Fee Disclosure - Summary: This is the written statement of the American Benefits Council to the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions for the hearing on 401k Fee Disclosure: Helping Workers Save for Retirement. Located at: American Benefits Council , October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

DOL Proposes New Disclosure Requirements for 401k Fees and Expenses - Summary: The DOL has proposed new disclosure rules, which are intended to help 401k plan participants make informed retirement savings decisions. Under the proposal, companies offering 401k and other participant-directed individual account plans would have to disclose summary information, including fee and expense information, for all investment options under the plan. Located at: Watson Wyatt, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Tapping the 401k Nest Eggs - Summary: 401k hardship withdrawals and borrowing rise, leading to worries that workers will have even less funds for retirement. Located at: Treasury & Risk, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Economy Fears Affect Small Business Owners' Retirement Savings - Summary: A growing number of small businesses are feeling the stress of the tough economy, leading many to cut back on retirement savings or raid their accounts, according to a survey by ING DIRECT's ShareBuilder 401k. Located at: Planadviser.com, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

Five Facts When Investing in Turbulent Markets - Summary: In the wake of recent market and firm failures, CFA Institute issued five facts investors should know when making investment decisions. Located at: CFA Institute, October 2008. Click on headline for full article.

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