Blog Archive
Five Key Components of Investment Manager Selection and Monitoring
As a fiduciary, selecting and monitoring investment managers is an important part of the investment process and prudent management of an endowment or foundation portfolio. […]
Maximize Your Life Insurance: Important & Essential Steps for High-Net-Worth Individuals
The importance and necessary steps to help ensure you are well positioned. Importance of Life Insurance1 For high-net-worth individuals, having an effective life insurance plan […]
Don’t Leave Your Assets Exposed
Why Adequate Property and Casualty Insurance Matters When asked about your insurance coverage, you might naturally think about life insurance. However, it is equally important […]
ESG is DEAD, Long Live ESG!
If markets have taught us anything, it is that cyclicality is often a prime feature of investing in the long run. Two Ps in a […]
Celebrating 50 Years of ERISA
A Milestone in Employee Benefits and Retirement Security This year marks a significant milestone in the landscape of employee benefits and retirement security: the 50th […]
Strategies to Reduce PBGC Premiums
The PBGC, or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, is a U.S. government agency responsible for protecting the retirement incomes of private sector employees with defined […]
Don’t Send Your Child Off to College Without These Four Tools
Preparing your child for college is an exciting but often hectic time. Between the college applications, housing forms, class registrations and meal plans, there is […]
Accounting for Float Income in Retirement Plans
As individuals plan for their retirement, they often focus on traditional investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. However, another aspect of retirement […]
Celebrating National Nonprofit Day: Honoring Dedication and Community Service
Join us in celebrating National Nonprofit Day! Each year on August 17, we take time to honor those organizations dedicated to giving back to the […]
Executive Compensation – Five Costly Mistakes
In a recent study completed by the National Institute on Retirement Security, more than half (55%) of all Americans are concerned they cannot achieve financial […]
From Worry to Wellness
In today’s fast-paced world, financial stress is an overwhelming burden many employees carry with them every day. It is not just about the dollars and […]
How to Maximize Your Employee Stock Options
Is your role changing or were you recently promoted? Are stock options part of your new compensation package? If you answered ‘yes,’ this is no […]
In Pursuit of Savings: The Growing Trend of Collective Investment Trusts
Over the past several years, excessive fees and the failure to consider lower cost share classes for utilized investment strategies has dominated the number of […]
Under the Hood: Exploring Critical Aspects of Your Retirement Plan
Using Plan Data to Guide Plan Design, Education and Communication Decisions For decades, Plan Sponsors have assessed plan success based on several main statistics, including […]
Key Considerations for Investment Oversight of Endowments and Foundations
Understanding Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO), Traditional Investment and Hybrid Services Endowments and foundations operate in a complex investment landscape, striving to balance the dual […]
Structuring an Effective Investment Committee – Best Practices for Supporting Your Mission
Nonprofit Investment Committees have a heavy fiduciary responsibility but can sometimes lack the structure to maximize their effectiveness. While establishing a formal approach to committee […]
Effective Plan Management Starts with a Strong Investment Policy Statement
The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) for a public defined benefit plan is one of the most important documents in guiding Plan Sponsors with managing retirement […]
Five Trends in Retirement Plan Fee Evaluation
Fueled by a litigious environment, the monitoring and benchmarking of fees has become an increased area of focus in Defined Contribution plans. ERISA requires fiduciaries […]
Navigating the Responsibilities of Nonprofit Fiduciaries
Fiduciaries to nonprofit organizations play an instrumental role in managing an organization’s interests while furthering its important mission. However, the role of a fiduciary involves […]
Navigating Markets in an Election Year
A data driven view into partisan politics In 2024, citizens worldwide will head to the polls, shaping the course of their nations. National elections are […]
Guarding Your Digital Identity: Defending Against AI-Driven Fraud
In January of 2024, a disturbing incident shook the financial world as a Hong Kong bank employee fell victim to deepfake technology, resulting in a […]
Inspiring Inclusion on International Women’s Day
“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” Verna Myers Today is International Women’s Day and all of us at […]
The Evolution of the “Super Saver” Strategy
How to help participants contribute up to $69,0001 per year in their retirement plan and receive attractive tax benefits In an ever-improving retirement plan industry, […]
Proactive Leadership: Making Governance a Priority
A robust governance framework may be one of the biggest drivers of long-term outcomes for a nonprofit organization. A defined governance process is a simple […]
Is Your Plan in Need of a True-Up?
Prudent fiduciaries periodically review their plan document and procedures to ensure their plan is being administered as intended. Would you believe one of the most […]
Addressing Lost Participants with SECURE 2.0
In 2019 the Department of Labor (DOL) increased their focus to better understand the processes and procedures Plan Sponsors adopted to identify and locate lost […]
Effective Spending Policy: A ‘Ways and Means’ to Long-term Goals
“The name of the investment game is not to get rich, but rather to not get poor.” – William J. Bernstein1 The concept of a […]
Creating an Effective Investment Policy Statement
A Roadmap for Your Nonprofit’s Future Most experienced nonprofit board and committee members understand the importance of good governance practices. The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) […]
Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) – Should Employers Dive In?
What are PEPs? The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 and the subsequent Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 […]
Cultural Institutions’ Investment Policies, Practices and Performance
Groundbreaking Study Reveals Helpful Practices and Guidance to Leaders Introduction In the rapidly evolving financial landscape of cultural institutions where the intersection of mission-driven goals […]
Trends in Corporate Retirement Plan Offerings
In this piece, we take a look at the past, present and likely future state of the retirement savings vehicles offered by private sector employers […]
10 Crucial Steps to Take After Identity Theft
Identity theft is a serious and distressing experience that can disrupt your life and financial well-being. When you discover your personal information has been stolen […]
Take Control of Your Finances: Essential Year-End Planning Opportunities
With year-end rapidly approaching and the holiday season drawing near, the fast-paced routine of everyday life can easily consume our attention. However, amid the hustle […]
Public Plans Rally in Fiscal Year 2023
Strong Equity Markets in Second Half Drive Solid Results, Redemption QueuesBuilding for Open End Private Real Estate Public Defined Benefit (DB) and Other Post Employee […]
Eight Common Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your Retirement
According to Charles Schwab, retirement planning is the number one source of financial stress for the majority of Americans.1 Given the potential for retirement to […]
Key Family Office Considerations for Financial Success
Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) families are commonly designated as those having $30 million or more in liquid assets.[1] Family assets may fluctuate over time due to global […]
SECURE 2.0: Five Key Provisions for 2024
Happy National 401(k) Day! It’s been about nine months since Congress passed a handful of laws, collectively referred to as SECURE 2.0. SECURE 2.0 contained […]
Watch Your Step! Avoid These 10 Common Investor Pitfalls
Following a difficult 2022, the vast majority of fixed income and equity asset classes find themselves in positive territory on a year-to-date basis. The current […]
How A Recession Might Impact Your Endowment…And Your Institution
If your university relies on its endowment for scholarships, operations, or other support, the current environment may find you anxious about how a recession would […]
Are You Overpaying ‘Uncle Sam’?
Five Key Considerations for Improving Tax-Efficiency Taxes play a significant role in everyone’s financial life, and maximizing tax efficiency can have a substantial impact on […]
The Artificial Intelligence Revolution is Here
Where Should Investors Begin? Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently described the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) as “more profound than fire or electricity,” which left […]
Smart Nudges: Behavioral Finance Successes and Opportunities in Defined Contribution Plans
It is no secret that we do not always act in our own rational best interests, we often let our emotions and biases get the […]
Knowledge is Power in Uncertain Times
For retirement Plan Sponsors, navigating uncertain times can feel like sailing in uncharted waters. However, in these moments of ambiguity, one thing remains certain – […]
Preparing for Rising College Costs: Start Early and Save Often
The skyrocketing cost of college education has become a growing concern for students and families across the U.S. As tuition continues to rise, it is […]
Demystifying Pension Liabilities
Every year, when tax time comes around I dutifully provide my accountant with the requested items needed to complete my tax returns. After a few […]
Shield Your Wealth: Seven Steps to Better Protect Your Financial Information
In 2022, consumer financial fraud reached alarming levels. Reported losses totaled nearly $8.8 billion1, which represented an increase of more than 30% over the previous […]
Don’t Let Healthcare Costs Derail a Healthy Retirement
Strategies to Implement in 2023 For many, retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor and pursue long-held dreams. However, it is […]
Looking for a New Advisor? Ask These 10 Questions to Find the Right Fit
A 2022 investor survey by YCharts found that over 25% of respondents thought about switching or had switched advisors in the last three years.1 Finding […]
Simple Actions Today Can Lead to Positive Results Tomorrow
The Journey of a Thousand Miles… Managing your personal finances can feel like a daunting task. You are not alone. Only about 25% of Americans […]
Secure 2.0 for Defined Benefit Plans: Enhancements, Improvements and Clarification
In late December 2022, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement or SECURE Act 2.0 – a follow-up package to the initial […]
More Uncertainty Means More Risk For Sponsors & Participants
For plan sponsors and their participants who follow the news, not a day passes without conflicting accounts concerning the markets and our economy. Headlines declare […]
Are My Assets Safe?
The recent events surrounding the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, combined with the volatility in stock prices of other financial institutions, serve […]
Update Regarding Silicon Valley Bank
What happened? Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), the nation’s 16th largest bank1 with $175 billion in deposits, is a bank known for primarily serving businesses rather […]
Career Words of Wisdom from the Women of Fiducient Advisors
Celebrate the Empowerment of Women Today is International Women’s Day and all of us at Fiducient Advisors are honored to celebrate this day with you. […]
If ESG is Considered Green –
Why is There So Much Gray?
Challenging Debates Not Easily Resolved Life’s most difficult debates are seldom straightforward to resolve – and that assumes resolution is achievable. Underlying arguments are often […]
The Debt Ceiling Distraction – A Manufactured Crisis
In 1917 the United States Congress first established a limit on government borrowing to finance the country’s involvement in World War I. The current debt […]
SECURE 2.0 Act Paves the Way for Big Changes
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) is chock-full of provisions – 92, in fact – aimed at improving Americans’ preparedness for retirement. Like […]
FTX – Lessons Learned from a Lack of Due Diligence
The recent collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and its trading arm affiliate, Alameda Research, highlights the importance of performing thorough due diligence prior to making […]
Final Rule Grants Fiduciaries Greater Flexibility When Considering ESG Options
Key Observations• Fiduciaries will have more flexibility to consider non-pecuniary factors when evaluating investments for their Defined Contribution Plans• Plan Sponsors are not required to […]
Cozy Up to a Good Book
While many of our associates devote much of their attention to following economic and market developments, we still enjoy the comfort of a good book […]
Mission-Aligned Investing: Approach
The three main categories of approaches to Mission-Aligned Investing include: Integration ESG integration is the inclusion of non-financial factors into the investment decision process. ESG […]
Public Plans Struggle in Fiscal Year 2022
Restoration of Higher Bond Yields Will Be Welcome Relief for Public Plans Public Defined Benefit (DB) and Other Post Employee Benefit (OPEB) plans typically measure […]
What Do Higher Interest Rates Mean for My Defined Benefit Plan’s Fixed Income Allocation?
Considerations for Plan Sponsors Key Observations Read further to learn how rising discount rates could affect your liability hedging strategy. 2022: Significantly Higher Pension Discount […]
At Your Side for The Rough Ride
High inflation, geopolitical tensions, and pandemic uncertainties. Couple these challenges with steep losses in both stocks and bonds, on top of slowing economies. Whether you serve as an investment committee member or simply effort to make the best of your own portfolio, we know this can feel unsettling and we are here for you.
Low Investment Fees – A New Wave of ERISA Litigation
Plan Sponsors have seen no shortage of ERISA lawsuits over the past 15 plus years with many leading to large settlements. Breach of fiduciary duty is a common theme identified in these lawsuits, especially involving excessive fees and/or actively managed fund expenses. A new wave of ERISA lawsuits allege Plan Sponsors breach their fiduciary duty by offering low-cost, passively-managed Target Date Funds (TDFs).
Portfolio Rebalancing: The Easiest Difficult Decision an Investor Can Make
Novice and expert investors alike have used the adage “buy low, sell high” to guide many of their investment decisions for as long as trading […]
4 Ways to Improve Participant Outcomes Today
September 9, 2022 is National 401(k) Day! To celebrate, we compiled four helpful ways Plan Sponsors can potentially improve outcomes for 401(k) plan participants. 1. […]
Necessary Progress in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
In 2017 we upgraded the firm’s website and I recall our marketing team and IT vendor being very excited. The update was more functional, graphics looked great, and we were told the improved website was likely to win an award (it did). I too was excited and remember displaying the site to my wife with a sense of pride; however, my bubble soon burst when she said something like: “Looks great… but why are there so many white males?” That was when it struck me that a good heart is not enough when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Creating a Legacy Free from Estate Tax
We believe most people do not actually need permanent life insurance; in fact, they would probably be better off using those funds in a million […]
Mission-Aligned Investing: Values
What is Mission-Aligned Investing? Mission-Aligned Investing is the concept of aligning an investor’s investment capital with their mission or values. These values can vary widely, […]
Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts – Key Considerations for Plan Sponsors
On March 10, 2022, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) issued Compliance Assistance Release #2022 titled “401(k) Plan Investments in Cryptocurrencies” which instructed Plan Sponsors […]
Will Cryptocurrency Ever Be a Viable Option for Your Retirement Plan?
Earlier this year, the largest retirement plan provider in the United States announced that clients using their platform would have the ability to invest in […]
The Bear Market Field Guide
Enduring wisdom on how to approach bear markets There is nothing enjoyable about market corrections and/or recessions. They create fear, anxiety and uncertainty, potentially requiring […]
An Overview of OCIO Services for Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Clients
Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services are a significant and growing part of the Endowment and Foundation and nonprofit landscape. These services can provide an […]
Advancing Our Commitment to Diversity and More
As an investor, you may be elevating your focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), either personally or in your organization to advance your […]
Establishing a Governance Process for Your Defined Contribution Plan
Public defined contribution plans have grown in popularity and size in recent years, thanks to robust capital market returns, additional voluntary savings amounts in 457 […]
It’s Time for an Annual Wellness Check-up… of Your Finances
With April here, there’s spring cleaning, then there’s annual health check-ups. Be it your annual physical or some other routine health check-ups, you might be […]
The Impacts of Inflation on Your Defined Benefit Plan
Higher Inflation Is Here to Stay The United States inflation rate, as measured by the year-over-year increase in the Consumer Price Index, has increased materially […]
Giving Employees the Tools to Help Them Retire Confidently
As the U.S. begins to exit the pandemic stage of COVID-19, some level of “new normal” appears to be taking hold in our everyday lives. […]
Nonprofit Fundraising and Cryptocurrencies
Organizational fundraising and advancement efforts remain critical to the success of any charitable organization. In addition, foresight and creativity can be powerful tools in the […]
Greenwashing in ESG: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
With rising interest in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investing the asset management community has been quick to respond. New strategies have been launched, existing strategies have […]
Wait, Is This a Gift or Homework? Five Books to Improve Financial Literacy
The holiday season is in full swing, and the countdown is on to purchase last-minute gifts. Rather than simply wrapping up gift cards or the latest tech gadget, why not consider the gift of…
10 Elements Every Investment Policy Statement Should Address
Many endowment and foundation committee members understand the importance of good governance practices; however, investment policy statements across the endowment/foundation—and broader nonprofit world…
Reading and Writing and… Finances? The Case for Children Learning About Fiscal Responsibility
Fiducient Advisors’ work with families teaches us time and time again that one of the biggest risks to the continuation of wealth is not poor investment performance but…
My Defined Benefit Funded Status Has Improved – Now What?
A combination of strong asset returns and higher liability discount rates contributed to material improvements in funded statuses for many Defined Benefit (DB) plans since early 2020. The magnitude and speed of these market impacts caused…
Am I Too Wealthy for a Mutual Fund?
Investing has changed a lot over the years. My grandparents gained exposure to the markets by doing one of two things: buying stocks or buying bonds. Throughout the 20th century, a litany of different investment vehicles were introduced…
How To Make Your Investment Committee More Effective
Would you like your investment committee to utilize best practices and produce better outcomes? This rundown from a recent…
Association Reserves: Policies, Practice and Performance
Associations today must deal with a significant set of financial challenges. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the global economy, associations were evolving by seeking new revenue streams and membership models. During this public health crisis, associations confronted a cross-current of painful realities: meeting cancellations, membership consolidation and…
The Clock Could Be Ticking for Favorable Estate Planning Provisions
Estate tax laws have been undergoing change over the last couple of decades, but in every instance of revision, they have managed to move forward, not backward, regarding exemptions, rates and flexibility. Despite this…
Four Smart Moves for Endowment Investment Committees
All of us struggled with the unexpected this past year, much of it involving strife and heartache – especially for charitable organizations and those they serve. But one thing played out better than you expected…
Next-Evolution Design for Market Rate Cash Balance Plans
For more than 10 years, investors attained double-digit gains by investing in the stock market. As a result, 401(k) balances and other investment pools achieved high material growth. This environment also drove the advent and growth of a uniquely attractive type of retirement plan…
Financial Wellness in the Age of Coronavirus
Financial wellness is an overall sense of stability and control over an individual’s personal financial situation. Financial wellness helps people feel safe and secure about their long-term financial outlook. Specifically, a state of financial wellness is characterized by…
Investment Office at Fiducient Advisors: Creative and Flexible Management Solutions for Today’s Nonprofits
These days, we are witnessing a trending increase in requests from clients and prospective clients for an outsourced consulting model or partially outsourced consulting model in which…
Focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: To Be Continued…
In December 2020, Fiducient Advisors, hosted a roundtable webcast titled “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Investment Management.” During this informative and intriguing discussion, the panel considered the fact that the investment management industry is…
Essentials for Monitoring Your Organization’s Investment Portfolio Performance
Regular reviews of investment performance are a valuable exercise but only when done properly. In 1983, a group of elderly women met in a church […]
Improve Endowment Investment Results With Strong Governance
One of the most important factors in ensuring the long-term success of a charitable organization is committing to a strong governance process. Particularly as it […]
COVID-19 and Its Effects on Retirement Accounts
On January 20, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the United States. As the virus continued to spread, many states issued stay-at-home orders, employers instituted work-from-home policies and the decade-plus bull market quickly reversed course. This not only impacted personal savings but also $6.3 trillion in retirement plan assets…
How to Update Your Endowment’s Spending Policy
According to a recent CAF America survey, 93 percent of charitable organizations project a decrease in funding over the next 12 months1. If inflows will […]
Five Tips to Help Financial Institutions Accelerate Growth Through Better Marketing
We will share five initiatives to help ensure you are communicating effectively and efficiently to your existing clients, prospective clients and centers-of-influence (COIs)…
CYBER-20: How to Be Aware in the Times of Cybercrime
In a time when we are most concerned about our physical safety as it relates to the ongoing pandemic, there lies another hidden fear of safety lurking. Everyone notices the increasingly growing tech sector…
Health Savings Account – A Retirement Triple Threat
With the increase in high deductible health insurance plans, Health Savings Accounts (HSA) have seen a significant jump in utilization. An HSA provides a unique […]
ESG Investing: Pandemic Edition
It’s no secret that COVID-19 altered the world as we know it, including the investment universe. In fact, over the last several months, the pandemic has shaped the way we work, the way we interact with each other, the way we spend money and the way we invest.
Family Vacation Homes: How to Preserve the Memories without Disrupting the Peace
It’s the Fourth of July holiday, and all the kids and grandkids are gathered to celebrate at the family vacation home. Your children spend every July here most years. As you watch the next generation learn to swim and fish in these waters, so many memories come rushing back to you.
Is Your Endowment Diversified for a Crisis? Best Practices for Investment Committees
You oversee an endowment or foundation for your nonprofit and my bet is that until around mid-March you were disappointed if you – acting as a good steward – constructed a prudently diversified portfolio.
Growing Your Practice: How Advisors Are Responding to the Pandemic
Fiducient Advisors recently completed a survey of many of its financial institutions clients to analyze evolving business strategy in light of the COVID-19…
The CARES Act and Beyond: A COVID-19 Government Assistance Guide for Nonprofits
While most media coverage focuses on the funds from the $2 trillion Act allocated toward individuals and small businesses, the sweeping legislation also offers some financial relief to the nonprofit sector as well.
Big Tech Stocks Dominate – Will it Last?
The last 10 years produced a period of dominance from growth stocks largely driven by a handful of U.S. organizations. These businesses, often referred to as Big Tech or FAAMG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet [Google]) stocks…
How to Reallocate Retirement Plan Costs During the COVID-19 Crisis
Organizations running lean and seeking to cut costs should assess how qualified plan fees (audit, investment consulting, legal, etc.) are assessed.
Discretionary Oversight During Times of Uncertainty
There are four primary areas for consideration of partnership with a discretionary management firm: investments, administration and operations, cost and accountability.
Should Investment Advisors Accept That It’s Different This Time? Hint: Yes!
If you have been advising clients for some time, you know the four most dangerous words might be “It’s different this time”. But investment advisors […]
Coronavirus Cancellations: How Nonprofits Are Meeting the Challenge of Lost Event Revenue
This environment has indeed had an “unprecedented” impact on nonprofits whose revenues are dependent upon the willingness and ability of people to congregate together.
Fed Goes to Zero, Reboots Quantitative Easing
In what shaped up to be a busy and sobering weekend for investors and concerned citizens alike, the Federal Reserve (The Fed) released a statement outlining three critical steps…
Seven Habits of Effective Investment Committees
Nonprofit investment committees have a weighty responsibility, but often lack the structure to maximize their effectiveness. Here are seven habits or best practices for investment […]
Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches: How Safe are Your Retirement Accounts?
For most Americans, our 401(k)/403(b) plan is our largest asset outside (outside of home ownership)…
Time to Rebalance Your Portfolio? Here’s How in Three Simple Steps
The four most dangerous words in investing might be: It’s different this time.
Keeping in the Family – A Primer for Family Investing
It is important to remember successful investors started with the basics of next gen education
A Decade of 401(k) Lawsuits – Adhere to Your Fiduciary Duties
ERISA requires fiduciaries to follow a careful, prudent process to ensure their plans pay no more than reasonable fees.
Three Top Financial Challenges Facing the Nonprofit Sector
With the economy in the midst of its longest expansion in history and stocks near all-time highs, you would think that financial officers and board […]
