Category: Blogs

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

For the last couple of years Northwestern Mutual has been surveying close to 5,000 people about the amount of retirement savings they expect to need, and this year the number went up.

A System to Protect Workers’ Retirement Assets Already Exists

As the new Fiduciary Rule has been open for public comment, many across the financial services industry have weighed in on the pros and cons of the proposed legislation. Francis provides the Firm opinion on how the new Rule can actually change the industry for the better; placing the best interests of investors ahead of the interests of industry players.

Stable Value vs. Money Market

Most U.S. retirement plans offer participants an investment alternative designed to provide capital preservation. Both money market and stable value funds fit this objective as they allow invested capital to remain daily liquid, earn a market-determined rate of interest, and remain at a fixed net asset value (NAV). While these two investment products serve the… Continue reading Stable Value vs. Money Market

The PLANADVISER Interview: Michael Francis, Francis LLC

Article written by: Alex Ortolani, PlanAdviser and posted to PlanAdviser magazine When Francis was first started in 2004, it was built upon the firm belief that America’s workers deserve better. Our business model serves as a great example in the industry of how to serve retirement plan committees and their organizations’ employees with solely their… Continue reading The PLANADVISER Interview: Michael Francis, Francis LLC

Understanding ERISA Fiduciary Duties (Webinar)

ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) is a federal law that sets standards for most private industry retirement plans: including 401(k) plans, 403 (b) plans, defined benefit plans, and profit-sharing plans. ERISA requires plan sponsors and other fiduciaries to act prudently and solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries.  Learn the critical elements… Continue reading Understanding ERISA Fiduciary Duties (Webinar)

Secure Act 2.0: What Employers Need to Know (Webinar)

The SECURE 2.0 Act was signed into law on December 29, 2022 to advance lawmakers’ goals of increasing access to defined contribution plans and improving retirement plan effectiveness. This legislation includes 90 provisions some of which refine and amend aspects of the 2019 SECURE Act. The Act’s provisions will require advanced planning, discussions with your… Continue reading Secure Act 2.0: What Employers Need to Know (Webinar)