In-Depth Reports

Middle Market Plan Sponsor

Firms with 401(k) plans having assets of $10-200 million constitute the Middle Market of the 401(k) business.  These sponsors are large enough to want to include advanced features in their plans and quite often want to have at least some customization of materials.  They are also, however, quite conscious of the cost they are paying for the plan.  They often use consultants or TPAs to assist them in provider selection and evaluation.  Spectrem's Middle Market Plan Sponsor study looks at provider evaluation and selection within this group. 

IRA Rollover 2011

The first Baby Boomers will reach age 65 in 2011.  As they begin to retire over the next few years, the assets available for rollover to IRAs or a variety of income arrangements will grow rapidly.  This market will be the primary arena of competition to see which firms will be most successful in capturing and managing these assets through the Baby Boomers' retirement years. 

High Balance Rollover Market

Over the next several years, the rollover of retirement plan balances will represent one of the largest sources of new business for asset managers. This market is the focus of Spectrem Group’s High Balance Rollover Market. This research has targeted a sample of 650 households who have total investable assets of $500,000 or more and who have had the opportunity to rollover a balance of at least $200,000 from an employer-sponsored retirement plan within the past two years.

Defined Contribution Market Needs

Over the past few years much has changed in the world of 401(k) plans.  Plan fees are now an open book.  The Pension Protection Act (PPA) has spurred the adoption of automatic enrollment, promising a sizeable increase in average participation rates.  The PPA also provides for expanded investment advice offerings and this is likely to further accelerate the use of asset allocation funds and managed accounts.  This study, the ninth in a series of analyses conducted by Spectrem Group since 1989, is designed to give plan providers the information they need to meet the challenges of today’s extremely competitive market.

Not-for-Profit Sector/Defined Contribution Plans

IRS regulation revisions in 2009 and 2010 have significantly changed the not-for-profit sector of the defined contribution market.  Making the changes needed to comply has offered an opportunity for consulting firms and third party administrators to gain access to this market.  This study is designed to provide firms offering retirement products and services to NFP organizations with the information they need to compete successfully in this very attractive niche of the retirement market.