fred's blog

Jeanne Capachin Marc DeCastro
May 2009

IN THIS WHITE PAPER
Digital services encompass the online and increasingly mobile
interactions financial institutions have with their customers. The next wave of digital services are being developed and deployed by leading financial institutions, and increasingly, by start-ups

Auto-enrollment in 401k plans as a strategy does not empower participants or build relationships with individual investors to create cross-sale opportunities, nor build commitment toward retirement plans (which they can opt out of at any time). 

Multiple incompatible systems could stymie development 
 
by Alex Johnson
Reporter

LAS VEGAS - The buzz at the International Consumer Electronics Show surrounding powerful new mobile phones and the rich programs that can run on them obscures a profound frustration for many users:

They don’t make that app for my phone.

By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY

The thinking two years ago seemed logical enough: If more companies would automatically enroll employees in 401(k) plans, then offer them the simplest of investment strategies, the employees would get a leg up on retirement savings, and we'd all be better for it.

Workers Failing to Save Enough for Expected Retirement Lifestyle

Additionally, women more likely to feel affected by economic downturn and less certain about retirement.

Global Pensions

US – A bill introduced into the US Senate yesterday will require 401(k) providers to inform participants of the monthly income they can expect in retirement. The bi-partisan bill, the Lifetime Income Disclosure Act, was introduced by democratic senators Jeff Bingaman and Herb Kohl, and republican senator Johnny Isakson.

The rise of the Smartphone.

The number of smartphone users inthe U.S. is rocketing. 

by John Papadopulos, President of Wells Fargo Retirement

One way to explain the realities of today's financial world to perplexed clients comes from an unexpected source: the often-quoted Yogi Berra. He is credited with saying, "The future ain't what it used to be."

Industry insiders may not be surprised to hear that many automatically-enrolled 401(k) participants are not deferring enough. A report released today from the Government Accountability Office postulates that as automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans becomes more common, some participants are not putting enough money in those plans.

Participants are none too pleased with the level of retirement plan support they receive (or don't) from their employers, according to a new study released Monday by Greenwald & Associates. The authors of the study, “The First Annual 401(k) Participant Experience Study”, found that one in five employees are dissatisfied with the current support they receive.