With apologies to Charles Dickens, Nevin & Fred have done a special year-end tribute (of sorts) to the “ghosts” of retirement past, present – and future.

Several weeks back Brian Brashaw issued a challenge (of sorts) to the podcasters of the retirement industry. Specifically, he expressed an interest in that unique and special group doing a podcast “visited by three spirits: ghosts of 401k past, present and future.”

To date, we’ve seen interest, but no “takers” – but here’s the Nevin & Fred option.

Episode Resources

An ‘Unintended’ Consequence - https://www.napa-net.org/news/2024/11/talking-points-an-unintended-consequence/

4 Things You Need to Know About Default Funds https://www.napa-net.org/news/2019/2/4-things-you-need-know-about-default-funds/

How to SECURE 'Better' Retirements https://www.napa-net.org/news/2024/6/talking-points-how-secure-better-retirements/ Myth Understandings https://www.napa-net.org/news/2019/2/myth-understandings/

It’s the holiday season, and Santa isn’t the only one making a list and checking it twice.

Let’s face it, SECURE 2.0 has a LOT of good, interesting—and potentially complicated options. But there are some that AREN’T optional, like the requirement that new plans adopted after the signing of the legislation into law have to automatically enroll eligible participants beginning in January 2025.

What happens if you forget? What happens if the business is below the threshold—and then goes above it—and then slips below it? And there’s something “special” about the selection of the default investment fund.

And then, there’s the so-called fiduciary rule (also known as the Retirement Security rule). Even if (and it’s still an “if”) it’s allowed to languish, there are still standards of care with regard to rollovers.

There are also some “nice” things in SECURE 2.0 with regard to the ability to fix things you don’t get right the first time.

In this engaging episode, Nevin (Adams) & Fred (Reish) will help you make sure your list is complete —and that you don’t wind up on the “naughty” list.

P.S. Oh, and Fred Reish has gotten some AI assistance in composing a song about retirement (lyrics below)!

Episode Resources:

A Country and Western Retirement lyrics: https://fredreish.com/the-last-rodeo/

Things I Worry About:

SECURE 2.0 automatic enrollment requirements https://fredreish.com/things-i-worry-about-2-automatic-enrollment/

How automatic enrollment requirements will be applied: https://fredreish.com/things-i-worry-about-2-automatic-enrollment/

Automatic Enrollment corrections: https://fredreish.com/things-i-worry-about-3-automatic-enrollment-3/

The SEC Requirements for Rollover Recommendations https://fredreish.com/best-interest-standard-of-care-for-advisors-97/

Staff Bulletin: Standards of Conduct for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers Account Recommendations for Retail Investors https://www.sec.gov/about/divisions-offices/division-trading-markets/broker-dealers/staff-bulletin-standards-conduct-broker-dealers-investment-advisers-account-recommendations-retail

IRS Issues Guidance on Expansion of EPCRS https://www.napa-net.org/news/2023/5/irs-issues-guidance-expansion-epcrs/

How to Correct Enrollment Errors for Long-Term, Part-Time Employees https://www.napa-net.org/news/2023/12/how-correct-enrollment-errors-long-term-part-time-employees/

IRS Releases Q&A Guidance on Key SECURE 2.0 Provisions https://www.napa-net.org/news/2023/12/breaking-irs-releases-qa-guidance-key-secure-20-provisions/

On October 21, the dynamic podcasting duo of Nevin (Adams) & Fred (Reish) brought their engaging, informative, and occasionally alliterative discussion to ASPPA Annual.

As one might expect from a crowd composed of the nation's leading recordkeepers and third party administrators (and a bunch of experts that help them succeed), the discussion was, as always, wide-ranging, including constantly compelling topics like:

Latest Lessons from the Litigation Landscape – fending off fiduciary forfeiture suits

Fiduciary Faux Pas, Pitfalls and Best Practices

Scary stuff from SECURE 2.0 – implications of auto-enrollment for all plans, LTPT employee tracking, etc.

Things I Worry About: Automatic Enrollment (1) https://fredreish.com/things-i-worry-about-automatic-enrollment-1/

Nevin & Fred: Forfeiture Litigation, Meeting Minutes and More https://www.napa-net.org/news/2024/10/nevin--fred-forfeitures-meeting-minutes-and-more/

What Expenses Can Be Paid from Plan Assets?

7 Steps to Reduce Fiduciary Exposure

DOL Successfully Sues Employer for Misuse of Forfeitures

Limiting Fiduciary Liability (Costs)

IRS Proposes Regs to Clarify Timing and Use of Forfeitures

Expert Opinions

The Forfeiture Suits to Date