There’s no question 401k plan sponsors know they need to up their game when it comes to employee education programs. According to one study, 80% of education programs on 401k offerings for employees are ineffective. Plan sponsors today seek solutions to better engage employees.
Plan Sponsors
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act preserved the sanctity of the treasured retirement contribution deduction – it even made it more important – but it also did a few things that might surprise some business owners.
A good fiduciary needs to see through the hype and base decisions solely on matters of import. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. For one thing, hype, like humor, works because it’s based on truth. This mantle of credibility is just enough to lead the fiduciary astray.
It’s safer to assume you don’t know everything – and here’s a list that begins to define that everything.
What if you were told the best way to calm your nerves was to be worried? Here are 7 reasons why this might be true.
If it is true the fear of loss motivates people more than the offer of a gain, then the traditional 401k company match framework is designed improperly. Currently, employees are promised a reward for contributing in their 401k plan. Think of this as the carrot urging people to save for their retirement. What if, instead of using a carrot, plan sponsors reframe the “match” in terms of a stick?
With the introduction of the concept of anchoring, Tversky and Kahneman opened the door to a new way of thinking about and addressing the financial decision-making process. For more than four decades, subsequent research has expanded upon their idea. Yet, plan sponsors and participants continue to remain uninformed of the dangers of anchoring.
It’s understandable, given the many hats plan sponsors wear, that mistakes will be made. The challenge is to not dwell on them, but to have a reasoned and determined process to address and correct them.
“Small business owners really need to have a clear understanding of all the retirement plans… Finding the right strategy will help you grow your business and save for your retirement.”
If you’re a plan sponsor, it’s time to review how your plan measures up against these design elements. If you’re looking to become a plan sponsor for a new plan, consider whether or not you should include these design elements.
