White Papers

Terminating and Liquidating a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") requires deferred compensation to be paid under written agreements specifying both the time when payments commence and the form of payment. Section 409A prohibits earlier payment under an "anti-acceleration" rule. 

Financially Preparing for Retirement 

New studies continuously show that the American workforce is inadequately preparing for retirement. These go on to claim that poor retirement preparation adds to an employee’s financial stress. Further, the combination of these two factors is impacting employee work productivity, resulting in costs to employers. Are these studies accurate? If so, what can be done to improve the situation? This white paper from Newport explores what is driving retirement preparation in America and the reasons behind financial stress in the U.S. workplace.
 

Newport Investment Management Due Diligence Process

Newport believes that investment managers should be selected and monitored using a well-defined process. Our dedicated team of research analysts combines quantitative analysis and qualitative research to help identify investment managers we believe will provide superior long-term results.

Stable Value Primer

Stable value strategies are investment options that primarily seek to preserve capital and whose return is based on a pre-determined crediting rate. We have developed this primer to expand the dialogue and provide new investment committee members with a strong foundation from which to select and monitor stable value strategies.

Mitigating Retirement Account Fraud: Best Practices to Safeguard Participant Assets

The trend of commercial database breaches involving the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) does not appear to be slowing down. As a retirement plan sponsor and fiduciary, there are steps you should take to mitigate the risk of fraud from occurring within your plan.
 

A Prudent Approach to Evaluating Target Date Funds

Target date funds provide unique challenges for evaluating and monitoring to meet the standards of ERISA. Learn about the extensive protocol designed by Newport Group.
 

Department of Labor Loosens Restrictions on MEP 401(k) Defined Contribution Plans

Small and mid-size businesses now have greater access to defined contribution retirement plans under regulations issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) on July 31, 2019. The regulations, which loosen prior restrictions on multiple employer plans, take effect on September 30, 2019. The DOL regulations permit employers to connect with associations of employers in a city, county, state or multi-state metropolitan area in order to offer defined contribution retirement benefits to employees. Employers also have the option of banding together by industry to achieve the same purpose.

Actuarial Services for Cash Balance Plans

As a type of defined benefit pension plan, cash balance plans can help employers attract and retain employees through enhanced benefit security, and maximize annual tax-allowable contributions to “qualified” deferred compensation arrangements through current (versus future) tax deductions.

Hiring an Independent Fiduciary for a 401(k) Plan Company Stock Fund

Common Questions from Plan Sponsors and Plan Committees

The Growing Dilemma: Debt and Financial (In)security in the United States

Personal financial stress in the United States continues to create concern and awareness of economic instability. What makes up the debt and how does it differ from the past?

Copyright © 2015-2023 Newport Group, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Unauthorized access is prohibited. This site is designed for U.S. residents only.

Newport Group, Inc. (“NGI”), an Ascensus Company, and its affiliates provide recordkeeping, plan administration, trust and custody, consulting, fiduciary consulting, insurance and brokerage services.

Securities are offered through Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC (“ABDS”), member FINRA/SIPC. Securities in California are offered under the d/b/a Ascensus Corporate Insurance Solutions. Other insurance products may be offered by NGI. For more information, please visit - www.ascensus.com

Investment Advisory and fiduciary consulting services are offered through Newport Group Consulting, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser and subsidiary of NGI. For more information about Newport Group Consulting and its services, please visit newportgroup.com or refer to our Form ADV Part 2, which is available by contacting us at 407-333-2905 or adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Newport Trust Company is a New Hampshire state-chartered trust company and wholly owned subsidiary of NGI. Newport Trust Company provides independent fiduciary and trustee services for employee benefit plans.

The views expressed herein are those of NGI and are current only through the date indicated. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and NGI disclaims any responsibility to revise these materials to reflect updated views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions for NGI are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent.