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BPP401k.com Newsletter February 4

Worst Decline in 30 Years for the Largest U.S. Retirement Funds – Summary: U.S. retirement funds lost almost $1 trillion of their value in the year ended Sept. 30, 2008, the worst decline in the 30 years Pensions & Investments has tracked the largest 1,000 plans. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Fidelity Reports on 2008 Trends in 401k Plans – Summary: In a year of unprecedented market volatility that negatively impacted most asset classes in both retirement and non-retirement investment vehicles alike, employees in workplace savings plans contributed to their accounts at normal historical levels, took fewer loans than in 2007, improved their asset diversification and continued to decrease company stock holdings. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.

Online 401k Plans Warrant Consideration by Small Companies – Summary: Are you one of the small business owners who have dismissed 401k plans because you feared they would be too costly, too difficult to administer and would saddle you with unwanted liability? The online resolution to the cost and administrative problem is already at hand and recent legislation has addressed potential liabilities. Located at: Resourcenation.com. Click on headline for full article.

Companies and Their 401k Matching Contributions – Summary: This is a list of employers that have announced plans to change or stop making matching contributions to their employees’ 401k plan accounts since June 2008. Located at: Pensionrights.org. Click on headline for full article.

AUDIO: Podcast with Matt Hutcheson, an Independent Fiduciary – Summary: Participants need to better understand what’s going on with their employer-sponsored retirement plans. That’s why Hutcheson has gotten behind the BrightScope startup. Listen in as he talks about what needs to change in the 401k marketplace. Located at: Employee Benefit Adviser. Click on headline for full article.

Tracing the Life Cycle of Alternative Investments – Summary: What are the distinct phases of an investment’s life cycle, and how can investors use this framework to enhance their investment decisions? Located at: Vanguard. Click on headline for full article.

Advisers Still Headed for More Fee Transparency – Summary: Fee disclosure regulations did not make it into the Federal Register before the new administration stepped in, but that is not necessarily a signal for advisers to relax about fee disclosure. Located at: Planadviser.com. Click on headline for full article.

Where are Fiduciary Issues Headed in 2009 – Summary: Prepared by the Wagner Law Group, reviews recent ERISA litigation and where fiduciary issues are heading in 2009. Located at: Center for Due Diligence (Word Document). Click on headline for full article.

Not All Target-Date Funds are Created Equal – Summary: Target-Date funds are still a very good one-stop shopping option for investors, especially for 401k investors who may not have a lot of investing experience. This article provides tips on how to get the most out of a target-date fund and find a good match for your risk tolerance. Located at: Google.com. Click on headline for full article.

401k Fee Litigation January 2009 Update – Summary: Over the past several years, more than two dozen lawsuits have been filed relating to 401k plan fees and, more specifically, “revenue sharing” arrangements with plan service providers. In addition to the lawsuits against plan sponsors, lawsuits have been brought against 401k plan service providers. This is a new update on these lawsuits. Located at: Groom Law Group (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

401ks Come Up Short – Summary: While the Obama administration hasn’t revealed its suggestions for retirement savings account policy, change is coming. Democrats and Republicans agree that retirement savings plans demand reform. Whatever happens, corporations will likely lead the way. Located at: Treasury and Risk. Click on headline for full article.

Procedures for Assessing Civil Penalties under ERISA Are Finalized – Summary: Effective March 3, 2009, procedures go into effect by which the Secretary of Labor can assess civil penalties against a plan administrator for the failure to provide certain PPA-required notices. Penalties are based on the “degree or willfulness” of the failure, but may not exceed $1,000 per day for each violation. Located at: Benefitslink.com. Click on headline for full article.

Winter Edition of IRS’s Employee Plans News – Summary: The Winter Edition of the IRS’s Employee Plans News includes an interview with Joyce Kahn, Manager, Voluntary Compliance on improving compliance via SCP as well as a separate article containing tips to making a better determination letter submission. Located at: IRS (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

2009 Suspension of RMD Rules – Summary: Groom Law Group believes that there are a number of issues relating to the suspension of 2009 RMDs that should addressed by additional guidance. They propose a number of potential guidance positions. Located at: Groom Law Group (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

Delay on Advice Rule May Lead to Revamp – Summary: The mutual fund industry’s longtime quest to provide direct invest. advice to participants in defined contribution plans took a potentially disabling hit, thanks in part to one of the first official acts of President Barack Obama’s administration. Located at: PIonline.com. Click on headline for full article.

Suspension of Minimum Required Distributions for 2009 – Summary: This waiver is designed to limit the impact of decreases in financial markets on plan participants and IRA holders by allowing individuals to avoid distributions from retirement accounts that have dramatically reduced in value over the last year. Located at: Dow Lohnes (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

For more information visit www.bpp401k.com

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