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The Frugal Fiduciary Small Business 401(k) Blog

Get the latest industry news, deadlines and tips you need to know to help tackle your fiduciary responsibility needs.
“Bundling” 401(k) services with other corporate services can result in fiduciary liability

“Bundling” 401(k) services with other corporate services can result in fiduciary liability

By: Eric Droblyen

May 6th 2015

Small business retirement plan sponsors have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest and self-dealing.
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Watered-Down Fiduciary Rule May be the Best Case Scenario for Investors

Watered-Down Fiduciary Rule May be the Best Case Scenario for Investors

By: Eric Droblyen

April 22nd 2015

DOL Releases Their Long-Awaited Fiduciary, or “Conflicts of Interest,” Rule.
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Online 401(k) fee analyzers are a marketing gimmick; fiduciaries and participants should avoid them

Online 401(k) fee analyzers are a marketing gimmick; fiduciaries and participants should avoid them

By: Eric Droblyen

April 8th 2015

It’s important for a 401k fiduciary and participants to understand the significant limitations of online 401k fee analyzers.
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Beware of Surrender Charges and Other Extraordinary 401(k) Fees Charged by Insurance Companies

Beware of Surrender Charges and Other Extraordinary 401(k) Fees Charged by Insurance Companies

By: Eric Droblyen

March 25th 2015

Insurance company variable annuity products are bad for both small business retirement plan sponsors and 401k participants.
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Jerry Schlichter Interviewed by Frontline; 401(k) Sponsors Should Take Note

Jerry Schlichter Interviewed by Frontline; 401(k) Sponsors Should Take Note

By: Eric Droblyen

March 11th 2015

Jerry Schlichter Interviewed on Frontline; Tibble vs. Edison case may change 401(k) investment monitoring standards.
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DOL’s Fiduciary Rule Advances to OMB; Not Everyone is Happy about It

DOL’s Fiduciary Rule Advances to OMB; Not Everyone is Happy about It

By: Eric Droblyen

March 4th 2015

Why the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule is good news for small business retirement plans.
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Target Monthly Income and not an Account Balance When Saving for Retirement

Target Monthly Income and not an Account Balance When Saving for Retirement

By: Eric Droblyen

February 25th 2015

Income replacement should be the target when saving for retirement
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Evaluating 401(k) Providers: Separating Commodity from Value-Added Services

Evaluating 401(k) Providers: Separating Commodity from Value-Added Services

By: Eric Droblyen

February 10th 2015

When shopping 401k providers for your small businesses retirement plan, it's important to separate commodity from value-added services.
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NAPA stakes a position against the DOL’s fiduciary rule

NAPA stakes a position against the DOL’s fiduciary rule

By: Eric Droblyen

January 26th 2015

NAPA is missing the point of a fiduciary rule. DOL is saying it’s too easy for unscrupulous or incompetent brokers to steer investors to products with higher fees.
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Keeping my Fingers Crossed for 401(k) Reform in Tonight’s SOTU Address

Keeping my Fingers Crossed for 401(k) Reform in Tonight’s SOTU Address

By: Eric Droblyen

January 20th 2015

Small business retirement plan reform in 2015 State of the Union address. Hopefully a fiduciary standard to 401(k) savers are clear, conflict-fee advice at reasonable fees
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