Bogleheads.org

Darn, I was hoping the DOL would want our input on how to improve the 401K system, like how people with crummy plans could have to option to use the government plan with those nice low costs and basic index funds.RM You may submit your ideas by one of the following methods: -- Federal eRulemaking P...

Note: This is an opportunity for you to provide input into the development of new regulations. The U.S. Labor Department wants your ideas on the best ways to improve 401(k) and 403(b) plan statements so that they show workers what their savings could look like when stretched over the course of reti...

In writing, ask the decision maker(s) this question:
Is there any reason why the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF and the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF can't be included in the menu? Next, explain why it makes sense to include these two funds.

My company is doing its annual 401(k) review and I am thinking of asking for better fund options. Specifically, better bond options. Has anyone done this? And if so, what did you find to be successful? Did you ask for specific funds or general criteria (low expenses, specific class, etc.)? Thanks i...

April is Financial Capability Month, and FINRA Foundation research shows that only 14 percent of Americans could pass their financial literacy quiz. If you want to take FINRA's fifteen question financial literacy quiz, it's at: http://apps.finra.org/quiz/1/investorquiz.aspx . Note - You will get you...

I just wanted to provide an update to this thread that I started in February and reiterate my thanks to those that have contributed their knowledge. Some progress has been made thanks to you. Mr. President (who is also the fiduciary trustee) setup a conference call between him, me, my sister, and t...

Beelzebozo wrote:My opinion on revenue sharing is that it is wholly unnecessary in this day and age.

I have read your posts on 401(k) and 403(b) plans and appreciate your input. Your ideas will be helpful to anyone who wants a better 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Thank you, Beelzebozo!

Best wishes,

Frank R. Cirullo

hoppy08520 wrote:I'm glad people post these success stories as a way to motivate others to agitate just a little bit.

I, too, am glad that people post their stories...it encourages others to ask for what they want. Well done, thinkingmama!

That is one of my favorites, fcirullo. I had always thought it was attributed to Calvin Coolidge. Travellight, I believe you are correct. Thank you! I edited the post to change the author, and I also included an important note in my post, which is above at: http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic...

You have been given some good advice! Regarding the work you do to earn money…remember to do it with passion. And remember to read stuff that inspires you. For instance, I like the following quotes: 1. Learn to live on less money and have more fun. Life will go by anyway, whether you enjoy it or not...

Thank you for your ideas...they will be helpful to employees and employers who want a better 401(k) or 403(b) plan. Please continue to post any other ideas that you may think of because this thread has now been linked to the following wiki articles. Wiki article link: How to Campaign for a Better 40...

copesetic wrote:We looked into that with EF and they said we can't setup our plan this way.

If there are no rules or regulations that would prevent a company from doing it, why can't they set it up that way?

Maybe contact Employee Fiduciary or whatever other desired provider to have them contact the company? I have thought about that as I also don't want to "rock the boat". Your idea is worth trying because every business needs to prospect for new customers. Ask Employee Fiduciary, Fidelity, ...

The "bag of tricks" that high-fee plan salesmen use to lure sponsors into their plans only seems to grow as regulations require ever greater fee disclosure. The two I've seen most recently are (a) the promise of lower sponsor fees; and (b) the fear tactic of warning that lower-fee plans w...

Clever_Username wrote:OP: have you checked out How to Campaign for a better 401(k) plan in the wiki?

Yes, isn't it great! Let's give a big round of applause for Pkcrafter, Blbarnitz, PiperWarrior, LadyGeek, and Hoppy08520 for their work on the article.

Even with the new fee disclosure rules, many owners, CEOs, and presidents still have a 401(k) plan that costs way more than it should. And it appears that they don't have a clue that plans that have a menu of managed mutual funds require more time to set up, manage, and monitor than a plan that has ...

Great post! This thread is now linked to the wiki article Setting up a 401(k) plan . You can find the link under Forum Discussions.

spsbo1 wrote:Has anyone had experience dealing with them as Third Party Administrators of 401Ks?

Please read this post by alinna at viewtopic.php?p=1611648#p1611648 . After you read it, you may want to send a pm with your questions about The online 401(k).

Best wishes,

Frank

The wiki article, Setting up a 401(k) plan , now has a link to this thread. You can find the link under Under Forum Discussions. Note: The idea of the wiki article is to show employers how to set up, manage, and monitor a truly low cost 401(k) plan. But the idea is also to show employees what a low ...

How much should company's match to attract employees?

From the employer's point of view, what would the ideal vesting schedule look like? Would it be immediate? If not, how many years should it be over?

Thank you for your great ideas! So far, I've started threads on a couple of your ideas but still need to start a thread on peppers' idea on vesting. You've come up with good ideas such as including information on revenue sharing, Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts, and vesting. If you have more ideas ...

The wiki article, Setting up a 401(k) plan , now has a link to this thread. You can find the link under Under Forum Discussions. Note: The idea of the wiki article is to show employers how to set up, manage, and monitor a truly low cost 401(k) plan. But the idea is also to show employees what a low ...

The wiki article, Setting up a 401(k) plan , now has a link to this thread. You can find the link under Under Forum Discussions. Note: The idea of the wiki article is to show employers how to set up, manage, and monitor a truly low cost 401(k) plan. But the idea is also to show employees what a low ...

The wiki article, Setting up a 401(k) plan , now has a link to this thread. You can find the link under Under Forum Discussions. Note: The idea of the wiki article is to show employers how to set up, manage, and monitor a truly low cost 401(k) plan. But the idea is also to show employees what a low ...

What's your opinion on Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts within a 401(k) plan? Are they a good idea or a bad idea?

One of the features of a plan that employers should think about is whether to offer a brokerage option in addition to the specific investment funds listed in the plan. This option is important to some employees, and it may also be important to the employer in terms of the fees they pay. As part of ...

What's your opinion on revenue sharing? Is it a good thing or a bad thing for the plan sponsor (employer)? Is it a good thing or a bad thing for the participant (employee)? Links to wiki articles: Setting up a 401(k) plan Mutual Funds and Fees Note: Revenue sharing is money that plan providers recei...

My question on revenue sharing goes beyond 401(k) plans. Or, perhaps I don't understand the difference between revenue sharing and fees paid by funds to promote their products (compensation paid to investment advisers). Other folks, here, may want to provide more details, but basically it's like th...

This thread is already mixing a number of topics. If you can split them out, that's great. I'll start two new threads. I think each thread should have a poll and a discussion. Then I'll put a link to the thread in the wiki article. Unless someone has a better idea, the questions will be as follows:...

peppers wrote:What about a vesting Schedule? My plan requires an individual to be with the company three years before the company match is vested.

I'm not sure what you have in mind. Please elaborate.

krayzbone227 wrote:I was referring to 401(k) vs 401(k)/Profit Sharing vs Profit Sharing as 3 different iterations, with your interest perhaps just on the first two.

Please cobble a short paragraph that says what you think employers and employees need to know about this topic. Okay?

Can you go into a little more detail and explain where the revenue sharing money comes from? A few years ago, my MegaEmployer's 401(k) plan provider was suing the fund managers for improper revenue sharing (they were revenue sharing among each other). I couldn't find out the details, nor the result...

For this particular wiki article, I would like to keep as simple as possible by simply showing employers and employees how to set up, manage, and monitor a 401(k) plan--fast. I believe you are talking about a "Combo Plan” that combines a Defined Contribution (401k Profit Sharing) Plan and Defin...

How about making mention of Revenue Sharing? Great idea! Would saying something like this help to make your points about revenue sharing? Revenue sharing is money that plan providers receive from many of the 401(k) plan's mutual funds. Revenue sharing can be given back to the plan participants, or ...

I need your help with ideas that can improve the wiki article Setting up a 401(k) plan . Now that you are getting annual fee disclosures and quarterly statements from service providers that show how much money you pay for the 401(k) plan, do you have any ideas that should be included in the Wiki art...

jsiegrist, yes it is typical for an adviser to charge an asset based fee. However, if you can negotiate a flat fee or a per participant fee it would be in your best interests to do so. Regarding a benchmark for plan advisers, your question gave me an idea to do a poll on what others believe is a rea...

Note: If you feel as I do that people who don't need investment advice should be able to opt out of paying a fee for advice you can vote for that. And you can also vote for what you think would be a reasonable fee for people who do want investment advice. What prompted me to do this poll was as que...

Hi Mark, I got your private message and replied to it by asking for the information shown below. Because it will take a day or so for my message to arrive in your in box, I answered your question again, here. To answer your question regarding which company would be better to go with than Morgan Stan...

Oh, I almost forgot. They do say that recordkeeping services are from ING Institutional Plan Services, but they don't say if ING Institutional Plan Services bills separately for recordkeeping and administration or if they are paid from the expenses shown on this Web site: http://www.abaretirement.co...

My first question is whether anyone can shed light as to whether the above Expense-Ratio fee is the only fee charged by this provider. Apparently, this 401(k) plan was designed for lawyers who define "No out of pocket expenses for the firm and no out of pocket expenses for participants" t...

Do you know BenefitGuard? No, but on the surface they look competive, and they claim that they don't have any hidden fees. http://benefitguard.com/pricing/ Employee Costs at BenefitGuard Monthly Fee: $16.00 Average Investment Portfolio Expense Ratio: 0.24% Investment Mgmt. & Custodial Fees: 0.0...

Ask HR what this change will mean for you in terms of contributions, investments, and costs. Or call the Fidelity 403(b) specialists at 1.866.418.5173, and ask the same questions. http://workplace.fidelity.com/403b.html

You've done a good job of researching providers! Tip: Narrow your list of providers to three providers that offer the index funds that you want in the plan. Next, choose the provider that has the lowest cost. Or, using the providers you mentioned, show us a side by side comparison complete with cost...

New 401(k) "Save the Max" Calculator Use FINRA's new 401(k) calculator to maximize your contributions in 2013. http://apps.finra.org/calcs/1/max401k About the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the largest independent regulator f...

What’s most important about a 401(k) plan? Its investments, right? Employers who have an awful plan believe that they have the skill to hire an expert who can pick a mix of managed mutual funds that will beat a core mix of low cost index funds, long term. Therefore, they are not satisfied with selec...

Does anyone know a vendor that is reasonably priced and falls into this range? As mentioned above, Employee Fiduciary is that range, and you may be able to negotiate a fee in that range with Fidelity. Ask livesoft if he can give you the name of someone at Fidelity that you should contact. Remember,...

So I started with a new employer this August and had my first 401k contributions in September, but have received no quarterly reports, only weekly "summaries" and see no info on the website, including in the "Plan Documents" so as far as I can tell I have 0 info on fees. It's no...

Should I have got something by now? Yes! By now, all fees and expenses that you paid for your 401(k) or 403(b) plan should have been disclosed. Ask your employer to give you the disclosure statement that should have been given to employees on or before August 30, 2012. Unless your employer got an e...

What's interesting about this poll is that fifty-five percent of knowledgeable investors said they are not satisfied that all of the costs that they pay have been disclosed. Wow! It appears that many employers still do not get it that setting up a 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan that has a low cost recor...

Would there be the possibility of my employer having a contract with the 403b/401k administrator that won't allow for there to be more than one administrator (competition)? They haven't mentioned this but maybe this is one of the reason that they are reticent to change. Ask your employer if there i...