Is Your 457(b) or 401(a) Plan Fee Allocation Fair and Reasonable?

Is Your 457(b) or 401(a) Plan Fee Allocation Fair and Reasonable?

By Jeff Chang Investment fiduciaries and plan administrators of California public sector 457(b) and 401(a) plans are required by law to act as “prudent experts” for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing benefits and defraying “reasonable expenses” of...

Understanding the Fees Paid by Your Governmental Retirement Plan

Understanding the Fees Paid by Your Governmental Retirement Plan

By Jeff Chang There are several fundamental principles and concepts that governmental plan sponsors and fiduciaries need to bear in mind as they select and monitor their plan providers and the fees that these providers charge. Practically all governmental plan...

Recognizing That All “Rates of Return” Are Not the Same

Recognizing That All “Rates of Return” Are Not the Same

By Jeff Chang As a “baby-boomer” and one of the millions of my generation getting ready for retirement, I’ve naturally begun to focus more on the ups and downs of the stock market and all of the “advice” regarding how and when the current bull market will correct...

Does Your Plan Have A Proper Fiduciary Structure?

Does Your Plan Have A Proper Fiduciary Structure?

By Jeff Chang Recently, we have dealt with an "epidemic" of retirement plans, both very large and very small, that all have the same problem – the lack of a proper fiduciary structure.  Why? As with so many personnel and benefits-related programs, new managers and new...