Mainspring Partner

Spring 2010

DOL Proposed Regulations on Participant Investment Advice: Final Closure is Near

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Significant regulatory changes from the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding retirement participant investment advice and plan-level disclosures are close to being finalized. Read on for highlights on how this could affect your business, as well as information regarding our upcoming webinar on this topic hosted by Fred Reish of the law firm Reish & Reicher.

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The Standard Launches a New Ad Campaign

The Standard has launched a new advertising campaign to help raise awareness of the company and the value it offers to customers.

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Toolkit for Success

Give yourself an edge with our new Business Development Guide

Whether you’re a seasoned retirement plan specialist or new to the market, you’ll find fresh ideas in The Standard’s new Retirement Plans Business Development Guide. From strategic planning to prospecting ideas, we’ve put together a toolkit to help you grow your share of the $4 trillion retirement plans market.

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Employee Benefit News

Selling simplicity: comprehensive income protection in a single disability plan

With rising expenses, smaller staffs and shrinking budgets, it’s more important than ever for employers to find a cost-effective, time-saving employee benefits plan. That’s why Standard Insurance Company has recently launched an employee benefits plan that controls costs and saves time.

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SPECIAL 403(b) FOCUS SECTION

3 Tips for Growing your Business in the 403(b) Marketplace

By Tom Blanchar, Special Markets Director, The Standard

403(b) plans have had a somewhat rude awakening in the last two years. From new reporting requirements to increased Department of Labor investigations, 403(b) plan sponsors are being forced to re-evaluate their plans, their fiduciary responsibilities and their ERISA status. Many plan sponsors are still struggling to keep up with all the new changes and what they need to do to comply.

Meanwhile, the multiple-provider model of the past is fundamentally flawed and increasingly outdated. Providers have exited the marketplace, leaving the competitive landscape in flux. More than ever, plan sponsors need a trusted expert to advise them on everything from Form 5500 filings to audit issues.

Here’s how to take advantage of this opportunity to build relationships with 403(b) clients:

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New White Paper Sounds a 2010 Wakeup Call for 403(b) Plan Fiduciaries

The new decade brought new challenges for 403(b) plan sponsors. During 2010 they face increased reporting requirements, more fiduciary exposure and potential Department of Labor investigations and penalties. The Standard’s recent white paper, "A 2010 Wakeup Call for 403(b) Fiduciaries" takes a look at the new regulations, risks and steps plan sponsors and other plan fiduciaries can take to protect themselves and their participants.

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Fiduciary Manager Now Available for 403(b) Plans

Your clients who are 403(b) plan sponsors may look to you to help them understand their fiduciary obligations. Others may not even be clear about who has formal fiduciary responsibilities. That’s why The Standard has now made Fiduciary Manager available for 403(b) plans. Previously only available to our 401(k) plans, Fiduciary Manager is a self-contained binder of resources, tools and documents designed to:

• educate plan sponsors about the actions required of plan fiduciaries
• provide an organizational format for keeping track of the paperwork that proves they’re fulfilling those responsibilities

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