FIDUCIARY ARTICLES

The Duty to Get Help.  December 2006.  Author:  Fred Reish
A number of courts cases have analyzed the process and criteria for selecting investment advisers under ERISA.  The following list is drawn from cases and other sources.  More

Stepping Out:  a Six-Step Program.  February 2006.  Author:  Fred Reish.  More

It's time for fiduciaries to get an education - Author:  Jeffrey DuFour

Since we live in an age of litigation and someone is often looking to sue when retirement plans don't live up to expectations, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has published a document, "Meeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities" for employers who sponsor retirement plans.

Are 401(k)s headed for a fiduciary meltdown?  Author:  Ian Lohr and John Lorh
An unbiased educational effort aimed at sponsors and their trustees is needed...The most prudent course of action, therefore, is to be educated but also to make sure that someone is helping maintain the compliance of the plan.

Conducting a Successful Fee Review - Author:  Donald StoneHere are six things plan fiduciaries need to ask to determine if their plan's fees are reasonable and where to find the answers.

Lesson Plans:  Lessons from Enron (revisited) January 2006.  Author:  Fred Reish.  More

How Much is Enough:  The Challenges of Putting Together a Diverse Retirement Plan Menu?  December 2005. Author:  Fred Reish.  More

The Fiduciary Responsibility to be Responsible.  July 2005.  Author:  Fred Reish.  More

What It Means to be Prudent Under ERISA.  April 2005.  Author:  Fred Reish.  More

Beginning at the End:  A Fiduciary's Responsibility for Participant Investments.  March 2005.Author:  Fred Reish.  More

Fiduciary Focus:  We Ain't Got No Fiduciary Duties.  March 2004.  Author:  W. Scott Simon.  More

Disclosure of 401(k) Fees:  An Overview for TPAs.  June 1998.  Author:  Bruce L. Ashton and Fred Reish More

Fiduciary Focus:  The Pension Consultant Shell Game.  September 2005.  Author:  W. Scott Simon.  More

Fiduciary Focus:  The Pension Consultant Shell Game (Part 2).  Nov 2005.  Author:  W. Scott Simon  More 

Fiduciary Focus:  Non-Fiduciary Investment Consultants.  May 2006.  Author:  W. Scott Simon  More 

Fiduciary Focus:  Non-Fiduciary Investment Consultants (Part 2).  June 2006.  Author:  W. Scott Simon  More

Fiduciary Focus:  Non-Fiduciary Investment Consultants (Part 3).  July 2006.  Author:  W. Scott Simon  More

Fiduciary Focus:  Non-Fiduciary Investment Consultants (Part 4).  Aug 2006.  Author:  W. Scott Simon  More

AUTHORITY "FIGURES." The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan ruled that a brokerage firm that gave investment advice to a profit sharing plan for a fee is considered a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The court rejected brokerage firm Edward D. Jones & Co.'s argument that it did not qualify as a fiduciary for the Rycenga Homes Inc. profit-sharing plan under ERISA because it did not have discretionary authority over the plan..." MORE.