2020 "Hindsight"

At the end of every year, and as we approach a new one, it’s natural to look back at experiences and lessons learned—and to ponder ways to apply them productively going forward.
Here’s some thoughts from 2020 that I hope will help you do just that.

3 Things That (Seem to) Scare Plan Sponsors

Halloween is the time of year when one’s thoughts turn to trick-or-treat, ghosts and goblins, and things that go bump in the night. And sometimes it’s just a good time to think about the things that give us pause—that cause a chill to run down our spine. In that category, here are three things to ponder…

3 Retirement Income Impacts That Can Impact Retirement Income 

Most of the focus on retirement savings is on those who haven’t saved enough, or who lack access to the platforms to make saving enough easy. But even those that have done the “right” things can nonetheless have their retirement planning realities tripped up. Here are three retirement income impacts of which (even) “good” retirement savers should be aware.

5 Things People Miss (or Get Wrong) About the CARES Act 

Written when the legislation was less than a week old, and amidst the scramble for answers and action(s)—well, it’s inevitable that some things will get overlooked, and other important things will be misconstrued. Here are five things you’ll (still) want to keep straight. 

5 Steps to Cyber Security 

Recent reports of 401(k) thefts and an ongoing concern about cyber security (should) have everybody on the alert. Here’s some things you, your plan sponsor clients, and their participants should check out—now. 

The Best Defense(s)

In a year full of challenges for plans and plan sponsors alike, we’ve seen a spate of litigation against retirement programs like none in recent memory. So, what’s a plan fiduciary to do? 

10 Things You Might Have Missed About E-Delivery 

The long Memorial Day weekend notwithstanding, many hadn’t yet delved deeply into the Labor Department’s final rule on default electronic disclosure. Regardless, here are some things you might (still) have missed. 

5 Ways to a ‘Better’ HSA

There are lessons in positioning and behavioral finance that we “learned” years ago with 401(k)s that might still be holding back the effective utilization of health savings accounts. 

The Next Chapter

Life has many lessons to teach us, some more painful than others—and some we’d just as soon be spared. But for the graduates of 2020—well, theirs is surely a unique time. So, if you have a graduate—or if you are a graduate—or if you have been a graduate—here are some thoughts…

Wishing you all a very happy, prosperous, and (at some point) “normal” New Year!

 - Nevin E. Adams, JD