Fall 2009
The Standard Launches Powerful Online Tool: Pension Estimator
The Standard recently unveiled Pension Estimator, an online tool for defined benefit plans that allows eligible employees to view projected retirement benefits under various modeling scenarios.
Pension Estimator is fully integrated with The Standard's existing defined contribution tools and services, such as Guided Planner and Mainspring Managed, as well as our Social Security benefit estimator. This gives participants a thorough overview of their financial future.
continueWebinar Series for Partners: Building Your Business
The retirement industry is evolving rapidly. Opportunities abound for plan advisors to gain new clients and better serve existing ones.
The Standard can help you navigate this new landscape. Building Your Business is a series of biweekly online courses offered free to our partners. We'll cover a range of topics, from the finalized 403(b) regulations to marketing techniques in the digital age. Our experts will provide insight and commentary on the issues driving the retirement plan industry today. And you'll be able to interact with them directly during the question and answer portion at the end of each presentation.
continueNew 403(b) Regulations May Bring Opportunities for Plan Advisors
After much discussion and debate, new federal regulations for 403(b) plans offered by schools and nonprofits generally took effect Jan. 1, 2009. These changes bring plan sponsors' fiduciary and reporting responsibilities much closer to those of 401(k) plan sponsors.
This new landscape should compel plan advisors to take a fresh look at the $600 billion 403(b) market. In the past, many plan advisors avoided serving this market. Plans often had multiple vendors and their administrative and fiduciary needs were relatively few. Thus, 403(b)s offered advisors a limited return on investment, and brokering these plans became something of a niche pursuit. This is no longer the case, however.
continueNew White Paper Published: Managing Fiduciary Risk During a Down Market
While the stock market has rebounded sharply from its March lows, many retirement accounts still are worth far less than they were a year ago. This could spell trouble for retirement plan fiduciaries, who may be at higher risk of ERISA lawsuits due to increased participant scrutiny and skepticism about their diligence.
Thus, there's no better time for plan sponsors to review fiduciary obligations.
Enhancements for New Client Plan Installation Experience
The Standard recently completed a top-to-bottom review and revamp of its process for welcoming new clients and ensuring successful plan installations. Our installation team will expand its hands-on approach to providing personalized service and generating positive client experiences. In addition, the new process requires substantially less paperwork thanks to streamlined submission forms.
The Mainspring Partner newsletter helps producers build their business by providing sales aids, learning opportunities, market commentary, regulatory and legislative updates, product enhancement announcements and articles to help improve the effectiveness of your clients’ plans.
Webinar series
Join The Standard for insightful webinars on topics including life after the final 403(b) regulations, search engine and website optimization tips, retirement plan trends, growing your business in the digital age and much more!
Check out the schedule and add events of interest to your calendar or view a printable webinar schedule (PDF; 135 KB).
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