The ABCs of RFPs

Here is how ERISA plan fiduciaries can hire the best providers and position themselves to respond effectively to fiduciary breach claims.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannJanuary 30, 2021rfp, service providers, fiduciaryprocess

How Do You Defend Against Excessive Fee Lawsuits?

Courts don’t review investment decisions and fees with 20/20 hindsight. Fiduciaries need to follow and document a prudent process.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannJanuary 28, 2021fees, Fiduciary, lawsuit, investments

When Can 401(k) Fiduciaries Get Excessive Fee Suits Dismissed? Anatomy of Two Recent Wins

Can fiduciaries get excessive fee suits dismissed? Sometimes, if plaintiffs make conclusory allegations.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannJanuary 18, 2021fiduciary breach, ERISA litigation, excessive fees

Back to the Basics-How Will Your Plan Fare in an Audit or Lawsuit?

Going back to the basics is a great plan fiduciary resolution for 2021.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannDecember 20, 2020ERISA, regulatory compliance, fiduciary responsibility, ERISAlitigation, audit

Establishing a Retirement Plan Committee

Plan committees provide a way for plan sponsors to more effectively fulfill plan fiduciary responsibilities. In this article, Carol Buckmann explains why and describes best practices.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannDecember 16, 2020fiduciary responsibility, plan committee

SECURE Act 2.0 Would Solve Longstanding Pension Problems

Building on the foundation laid by the SECURE Act, if enacted, SECURE Act 2.0 would further incentivize retirement savings and new plan formation.

Qualified Retirement Plan, SECURE Act, Fiduciary AdviceCarol BuckmannDecember 1, 2020SECURE Act 2.0, Pension reform, EPCRS

Pass It Forward-Why Fiduciaries Should Consider Outsourcing Plan Investment Responsibility

More plan sponsors should consider ERISA’s options for delegating investment responsibility.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannNovember 8, 2020OCIO, 3(38), investmentmanagement

Fiduciary Liability Insurance Premiums Are Soaring-What Are Plan Sponsors To Do?

It should be no surprise that the cost of fiduciary liability insurance has gone up. Here are some responses.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannOctober 25, 2020fiduciaryinsurance, ERISAlitigation, 401(k)

What Are the New Rules for Rollover Advice?

Advisers must follow new rules when giving rollover advice.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement Plan, Compensation/EmploymentCarol BuckmannOctober 13, 2020rollover, IRA, Fiduciary

Abbott Defendants are Dismissed from Cybertheft Lawsuit-At Least for Now

A preliminary decision has just been issued in a potentially significant case on plan cybertheft.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannOctober 7, 2020

Pensions & Investments Article Quoting Carol Buckmann Highlights Target-Date Fund Risks and Volatility

Carol Buckmann weighs in on the Pensions & Investments article that highlights target-date fund risks and volatility.

Firm News, Qualified Retirement Plan, Fiduciary Advice Carol BuckmannSeptember 9, 2020target date funds, COVID-19, coronavirus, fiduciary breach, qualified plans

Will 2020 Be a Banner Year for 401(k) Litigation? How Fiduciaries Can Protect Themselves

2020 has seen a surge in ERISA litigation. Here are 10 steps fiduciaries can take to protect themselves?.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement Plan Carol BuckmannSeptember 8, 2020fiduciary, ERISAlitigation, bestpractices

Carol Buckmann to Present on Strafford Webinar on Private Equity Compliance with ERISA

Carol Buckmann to present at Stafford live webinar, “Private Equity Compliance With ERISA: Fiduciary Duties in Managing ERISA Plan Assets on September 16, 2020.

Equity Plans, Fiduciary Advice, Firm News Carol BuckmannAugust 16, 2020ERISA, Fiduciary, compliance