Thought Leadership

An overhead shot representing the analysis of financial wellness, featuring a black calculator, a pencil, and a magnifying glass placed over various orange and blue financial charts. The tools are laid out on a clean, light blue surface to suggest an organized review of personal or corporate finances.

What does financial wellness mean to you?

April 3, 2023| By Noah Zuss and Remy Samuels, PLANSPONSOR

Experts from across the retirement industry — including SBA's Jay Schmitt — share their perspectives on retirement readiness and overall financial wellness.

financial wellness/ retirement readiness,health & welfare plans,PLANSPONSOR

Is unlimited time off the right PTO approach?

March 15, 2023| By Kim Shumate

Unlimited PTO is gaining popularity as a way to attract and retain talent. But switching from accrued time off to unlimited time off may not be the best choice for everyone, and the change isn't always easy. Here are some tips for a smooth transition.

benefits administration,Employee Benefit News,health & welfare plans

Strategic asset decumulation: The key to predictable lifetime income for participants

January 27, 2023| By Mindy Zatto, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA, MSPPA

Helping DC plan participants reach their retirement funding goals is only half of the picture. Learn why and how plan sponsors can help participants efficiently transition to decumulation.

401(k) Specialist,defined contribution (DC) plans,group annuities,lump-sum window,required minimum distribution (RMD),safe harbor,SECURE Act

SECURE 2.0: Guidance for retirement plan sponsors for 2023, 2024 and beyond

January 9, 2023| By Andy Adams and Lynn Bullard Kennedy, ASA, EA, FCA

The question is not whether the new legislation impacts plan sponsors, it’s which of the more than 90 provisions apply to them and when do they take effect.

BenefitsPRO,defined contribution (DC) plans,DOL,nondiscrimination testing,required minimum distribution (RMD),SECURE Act

New outline of SECURE 2.0 provisions offers guidance for plan sponsors

January 5, 2023| By Brian Anderson, Editor in Chief of 401(k) Specialist

CliffsNotes-like summary provides help for mid- to large-size retirement plan sponsors trying to navigate the expansive new legislation.

401(k) Specialist,defined contribution (DC) plans,DOL,nondiscrimination testing,required minimum distribution (RMD),SECURE Act

Is your benefits committee up to par? Here’s how to be sure

November 21, 2022| By Mindy Zatto, FSA, EA, FCA, CPPT and Robin Powell

To defend themselves against ERISA violations, plan sponsors need to understand their fiduciary obligations. As the parties generally responsible for plan oversight, benefits committees play a central role in minimizing compliance risk.

benefits administration,data errors/ clean-up,defined benefit (pension) plans,defined contribution (DC) plans,Employee Benefit News,ERISA,health & welfare plans,lost participants/ beneficiaries,M&A,nondiscrimination testing,plan design,plan management,retirement plans,testing

Advisers in conversation: Creating lifetime income in retirement

July 7, 2022| By Stephanie Schomer, Editor in Chief of Employee Benefit News

SBA founding principal Mindy Zatto joins Ted Benna, who designed and implemented the first 401(k) savings plan, for a discussion on the future of retirement savings plans and how plan sponsors can help close the participant education gap.

benefits administration,defined contribution (DC) plans,Employee Benefit News,financial wellness/ retirement readiness,group annuities,retirement plans,SECURE Act

Old metal sign with the inscription Closed

Ask an Adviser: Can terminating a defined benefit plan be more seamless?

June 17, 2022| By Robin Powell

Learn how to best position a frozen DB plan for termination.

benefits administration,data errors/ clean-up,defined benefit (pension) plans,Employee Benefit News,group annuities,lost participants/ beneficiaries,lump-sum window,plan funding,plan liabilities,plan management,plan termination,required minimum distribution (RMD),retirement plans

4 ways plan participants and vendors can help improve cybersecurity

May 18, 2022| By Robin Powell

In a world of mounting cybersecurity threats, participants and vendors must play their part in warding off catastrophic attacks. Here are four strategies that can help.

benefits administration,data security/ cybersecurity,defined benefit (pension) plans,defined contribution (DC) plans,Employee Benefit News,health & welfare plans,multi-factor authentication

An approved vacation request form representing optimized time away from work administration for Strategic Benefits Advisors.

Time well spent: Optimizing time away from work administration

May 11, 2022| By Mindy Zatto, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA, MSPPA

Here are some considerations for plan sponsors as they seek to streamline TAFW processes.

benefits administration,BenefitsPRO,health & welfare plans,voluntary benefits