Blog

Helping employees focus on long-term savings is not easy, especially during uncertain times. Still, employers have seen success. Despite stubborn inflation, a recent survey reports that plan participation and saving rates have reached all-time highs.[1] This is great news, but it’s only part of the solution. Many employees join a retirement plan without fully understanding […]

In our latest blog post, we’re excited to feature Bob Clements, a seasoned financial strategist and entrepreneur, who joins Marques Ogden to discuss the powerful role authenticity plays in wealth management. With decades of experience guiding clients to align their finances with their core values, Bob dives deep into the essential principles of trust, transparency, […]

Here are a few observations about what occurred across the public markets during the month: Market Update: A Gradual Cooldown, Not a Collapse As spring approaches and temperatures rise, the U.S. economy is beginning to cool. After a strong post-pandemic recovery, followed by steady growth driven by resilient consumer spending, economic expansion now appears to […]

Studies have shown that auto-features, such as auto-enrollment and auto-escalation, help boost participation and savings rates. However, not all plans offer these plan design features, and existing plans aren’t obligated to adopt them. Under the SECURE Act 2.0, new 401(k) and 403(b) plans must include auto-enrollment and auto-escalation, beginning in 2025. Choosing to include automatic […]

Change is upon us. The Silver Tsunami is lifting the baby boom generation into retirement. For many companies, this means shifts in 401(k) committee leadership. As with all committee processes, having a clear plan is essential. A well-documented transition process can help new and existing members understand their roles, and smooth and consistent transitions will […]

2025 has started with significant change and speculation for the future.  A new president was inaugurated, and with that the policies that have been campaigned on for the past several years.  It is never clear what will happen, but we do believe deregulation, potential tax cuts, and certain tariffs against multiple trade partners are highly […]

Who is making sure that your retirement plan works for you, your company, and your employees? That’s the job of your 401(k) committee! From compliance to employee education, the committee helps tailor the plan to fit your team’s needs. Let’s explore the essential tasks and responsibilities your 401(k) committee will focus on to help maintain […]

Dear Clients, We are excited to share the LPL Outlook 2025: Pragmatic Optimism. This annual update covers the economic and market landscape, offering insights for investors and their portfolios. Looking back at 2024, many of the same themes from 2023 continued. Despite a few growth concerns, the economy outperformed expectations, and stocks stayed strong, with […]

Delayed retirement is becoming increasingly common among Americans, impacting employers’ bottom lines, talent acquisition cycles, and overall productivity. A recent survey found that one in four employees anticipate working beyond their initially planned retirement age, and 9% fear they may never be able to retire.[1] This data supports a longer-term trend: since the early 1990s, […]

Navigating the intricate rules and regulations that govern employer-sponsored retirement plans may seem overwhelming at times. Even the most diligent plan sponsors encounter retirement plan errors. In fact, it’s not unusual to discover a plan failure or error, especially after the 401(k) plan testing season is over. The costly impact of retirement plan errors Plan […]