ERISA Issues: Proposed Rules, Regulatory Initiatives and Litigation
Retirement plan providers can be forgiven if they sometimes feel they have a target on their backs. These days, it could actually be two. “Service providers, including stable value providers, are prime targets for both the Department of Labor and the plaintiffs’ bar,” said Jeremy Blumenfeld, partner and co-chair of the ERISA litigation practice at […]
Consultants Share Perspectives on Stable Value
Given the important role that retirement plan consultants play in product selection and plan design, it’s no surprise that participants at the 2015 SVIA Spring Seminar were eager to hear what a panel of plan consultants had to say about stable value funds—what they like about them, what concerns them. The panelists included Jay Dinunzio, […]
Stable Value: The Plan Sponsor Perspective
It’s obvious that many defined contribution retirement plan sponsors like stable value funds—about half include them among their plan’s investment options. But some plan sponsors really like stable value funds. Take Keith Watson, director of pension investments for Textron Inc. “Stable value is complicated,” Watson says. “There are operational risks, wrap capacity and fee issues, […]
DOL Proposes Major Changes to ERISA Fiduciary Rules for Providers
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed fiduciary rules change the playing field for service providers that may make recommendations for the sale of their own products and services. If a service provider including a stable value product provider or an investment manager were to acquire fiduciary status in connection with sales of its own products […]
Stable Times Volume 19 Issue 1
Download PDF The biannual publication of the Stable Value Investment Association that covers both industry concerns and association activities. Table of contents: Stable Value’s Contribution to the American Dream Ron Suskind: U.S. Voters Face “Dynastic Dilemma” SVIA Survey Shows Wrap Capacity Continuing to Grow SVIA Steps Up Outreach Efforts Stable Value Regulatory Agenda Inches Forward […]
Stable Value’s Contribution to the American Dream
The core mission of the stable value industry is a simple one: help retirement plan participants grow their nest eggs with minimal risk. In doing that, says James King, chairman of the Stable Value Investment Association, the industry is helping millions of working Americans pursue the American Dream: work hard, save, retire well. That’s not […]
Ron Suskind: U.S. Voters Face “Dynastic Dilemma”
In sports, Americans are familiar with many dynasties. The New York Yankees, winners of 29 pennants from 1921 through 1964. The Montreal Canadiens, who took 20 Stanley Cups between 1930 and 1979. The UCLA Bruins, who won 10 NCAA basketball titles from 1964 to 1975. In presidential politics, it’s been a different story. We are, […]
SVIA Survey Shows Wrap Capacity Continuing to Grow
The great wrap capacity shortage increasingly looks like a distant memory. Following the financial turmoil of 2008, a number of financial institutions stopped underwriting wrap contracts for stable value funds, limiting the industry’s growth prospects. Over the past several years, though, a number of new issuers have entered the market and some veteran players have […]
SVIA Steps Up Outreach Efforts
More news is good news. Over the past year, the SVIA has expanded its social media presence while continuing to reach out to the press and regulators to promote the industry and educate them about its products. As part of that effort, says Marijn Smit, president of Investment Solutions at Transamerica Investments & Retirement and […]