Nevin's Data "Points"

 I’ve been writing a weekly column (and then some) for more than two decades now. Some are easier to write (and read)—and some hold up better (and longer) than others. These are some of  my  (and perhaps your) favorites from 2021. Let me know what you think in the comments below… particularly if I have missed one of your favorites…  What’s So Special About College Debt? Student loan debt—or more precisely, the forgiveness of some part of it—has dominated the headlines of late—but it’s been on the minds of retirement plan sponsors for a while now. The question is—why?  https://www.napa-net.org/news-info/daily-news/whats-so-special-about-college-debt Bundled Versus Unbundled: 5 Myths While there are some amazing bundled solutions, ERISA’s admonition to act solely in the interests of plan participants (and beneficiaries), alongside the requirement that those be reasonable in terms of cost and value, call for a careful and considered evaluation. In t...

There is frequently a difference between doing what the law requires and doing everything that you could do as a plan fiduciary. That said, there are things that plan fiduciaries must do—and things that, while not required, can keep the plan, and plan fiduciaries out of trouble. Let’s get started. 1. Not having a plan/plan investment committee ERISA only requires that the named fiduciary (and there must be one of those) make decisions regarding the plan that are in the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries, and that are the types of decisions that a prudent expert would make about such matters. ERISA does not require that you make those decisions by yourself—and, in fact, requires that, if you lack the requisite expertise, you enlist the support of those who do have it.  You may well possess the requisite expertise to make those decisions—and then again, you may not. But even if you do, why forego the assistance of other perspectives? However, h...