PLANSPONSOR - August/September 2019 - 4

Issue Intro
Clearing Things Up
W
hen we review Plan Sponsor of the Year
applications, we note the innovative features
and programs that sponsors have
put in place for their employees. One such offering
we've increasingly seen is education for employees on
the financial transition to retirement. Although covering
financial wellness along with retirement topics is
becoming commonplace, far fewer sponsors address
how, for instance, an employee's life savings will translate
into income through his post-employment years.
This knowledge gap leaves room for false impresINSIGHT
ON PLAN DESIGN & INVESTMENT STRATEGY
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2019 | $29 | WWW.PLANSPONSOR.COM
2019 Target-Date Fund Survey / 2019 Participant Survey
When planning for retirement,
participants have more to consider
than meets the eye
sions, which, unless dispelled, can greatly affect one's
financial future. Our cover story, " Reality Check " (page 24), covers common misconceptions
workers have about retirement and how the sponsor can clear those up.
While organizations are finalizing 2020 health benefit offerings and already
thinking about how to evolve them in future years, PS Coach (page 60) sorts out
the often daunting nuances of the various health savings plans. If an employer
chooses to offer one, there are three options, beyond the standard health plan, for
helping employees save for and manage their health care expenses. Employees pay
for eligible medical, dental and vision care not covered by their employer's plan by
using pre-tax dollars with any of the following: flexible spending accounts (FSAs),
health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).
On a biannual basis, PLANSPONSOR surveys investment managers of targetdate
funds (TDFs)-the most frequently offered qualified default investment alternative
(QDIA) on a plan sponsor's fund menu. Key to any sponsor's due diligence
process is fund differentiation as a means to examine the asset manager's philosophy
and methodologies. The sponsor might study how a fund suite uses unaffiliated
investment managers or, maybe, appraise tactical deviations. We try to help
with our 2019 Target-Date Fund Survey. " On Target " (page 30) can give plan sponsors
a broad view of the market.
Another practice we see and admire in some Plan Sponsor of the Year entries
is these sponsors survey their workers to understand their wants and needs. To
keep abreast of employee preferences, the survey may request responses on a range
of topics including the best ways to draw employees to engage with the retirement
plan. For the last six years, our research department has surveyed employees ages
23 and up to see what's on workers' minds. We share the outcomes in our 2019
PLANSPONSOR Participant Survey and story, " Capturing Their Voices " (page 40).
The 2019 PLANSPONSOR National Conference (PSNC) in June brought
together sponsors, advisers and providers from our industry, in Washington,
D.C. At these three-day events, sponsors gather takeaways for building plans
that improve outcomes for their workforce and apply proper corporate governance.
We include session highlights in this issue (page 46). If you missed
the event, you'll find additional stories and a photo gallery on plansponsor
.com-or join us for the Best of PSNC roadshow, stopping at five cities across the
country, this fall. -Judy Faust Hartnett, Managing Editor
P.S. Nominations are now open for the 2020 Plan Sponsor of the Year Awards!
4 PLANSPONSOR.com August - September 2019
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Alison Cooke Mintzer
alison.mintzer@strategic-i.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: SooJin Chun Buzelli, svp
soojin.buzelli@strategic-i.com
MANAGING EDITOR: Judy Faust Hartnett
judy.hartnett@strategic-i.com
MANAGING EDITOR, PLANSPONSOR.com:
Rebecca Moore, rebecca.moore@strategic-i.com
EDITORIAL STAFF: Lee Barney, John Manganaro,
Amanda Umpierrez, Karen Wittwer
CONTRIBUTORS: John Keefe, Judy Ward
SURVEYS AND RESEARCH: Brian O'Keefe, Jackie Scott
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Donna Bien-Aimé,
Alanna Jacobs, Clarissa Liu, Joy Liu, Cherese
Rambaldi
ART CONTRIBUTORS: Chris Buzelli, Marcos Chin,
Andrea Chronopoulos, Joseph Ciardiello,
Sam D'Orazio, Tara Jacoby, Matt Kalinowski, Alex
Eben Meyer, Suharu Ogawa, Ryan Peltier, Julien
Posture, Dadu Shin, Jillian Tamaki (cover), Dalbert B.
Vilarino, Nadja Zinnecker
HEAD OF MEDIA SALES: Katie Bacon, vp
katie.bacon@strategic-i.com
ONLINE/DIGITAL PRODUCTS: advertise@strategic-i.com
ADVERTISING SALES: Meghan McGowan, Bill Murray,
Lisa Reilly
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CONFERENCES: Carol Popkins, vp; Katie Campbell,
Rebecca Fahey, Melissa Groccia, Lucille Velander
ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS: Abeer Abu-Issa,
Mayrillane Bahi, Ruth Fissaha, Doreen Fucci,
Ricky Kostik
TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS: Stephan Dennis,
Ray Lucibello, Aaron Montecalvo, Bhakti Patel,
Jigar Patel, Dexter Reaves, Stephen Widom
SPONSORED CONTENT AND AUDIENCE DATA:
Drew Donaldson, drew.donaldson@strategic-i.com
REPRINTS: Michelle Judkins
203-595-3276 michelle.judkins@strategic-i.com
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PLANSPONSOR - August/September 2019

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