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Derivatives Rules Could Hurt Pensions February 16, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The American Benefits Council and the Committee on Investment of Employee Benefit Assets (CIEBA) contend the Dodd-Frank financial reform process is moving too quickly and pension plans could be adversely affected. PLANSPONSOR staff

Foley Hoag Law Firm Adds Labor and Employment Attorney February 16, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Foley Hoag has further strengthened its Labor and Employment Law practice with the hiring of attorney Terence McCourt, who joins the Boston office as partner. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com Ac

DALBAR Announces Fee Disclosure Solution February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - DALBAR and FiduciaryPlanReview.com announced a joint venture to deliver the fee disclosures required by brokers/dealers under new 408(b)(2) regulations. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com The new service, 408(b

Most Employers Informal on Flexibile Work Policies February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new workplace flexibility study finds that while 98% of those polled offer at least one workplace flexibility program, nearly 60% use an informal approach with no written policies or forms. Fred Schneyer editors@pla

Pension Funding Has Modest Muni Bond Cost Impact February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A new study analyzing 37,500 state and local government bond issues found that pension funding raises rates by a modest 3 to 7 basis points. Fred Schneyer editors@plansponsor.com The study, released by the Ce

Study Backs Value Add from Stable Value Assets February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – No other asset class studied has dominated stable value (SV) funds since the inception of stable funds in late 1988, a new study asserts. Fred Schneyer editors@plansponsor.com According to the study by authors

PBGC Official Joins PA Retirement System as CIO February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement Board has hired Anthony S. Clark, as the system’s new chief investment officer. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com According to a news release, Clark currentl

Principal Announces LifeTime Funds Portfolio Manager Change February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Principal Funds has hired Jeff Tyler as portfolio manager for Principal LifeTime Funds target-date fund series, effective March 1, 2011. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com A press release sai

Broker/Dealers Facing Potential Talent Shortage February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – The number of investment professionals at broker/dealers has remained largely unchanged at approximately 310,000 over the last few years, and investment professionals are aging with no clear source of retiree replacements, a ne

Manulife Acquires Optique Capital Management February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Manulife Asset Management has acquired the assets of Optique Capital Management, a registered investment adviser based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com In addition, eight members

Managing Employee Health Key to Controlling Costs February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Skyrocketing health costs have pushed health care performance management (HPM) to center stage for employers seeking to boost productivity and control health benefit costs, according to a new white paper. Rebecca Moore

Trademark Launches Target-Date Collective Trusts February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Trademark Capital Management has acquired Athens Capital Group, LLC as part of a national growth strategy. PLANSPONSOR staff editors@plansponsor.com Trademark is working with Wilshire Associates Incorporat

Neuberger Berman Introduces Large Cap Value Fund February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Neuberger Berman this month is introducing the Neuberger Berman Large Cap Value Funds in A, C and Institutional Classes (ticker symbols pending). Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com The fund, which has b

Bill Would Ban Use of Placement Agents by KY Retirement Systems February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Kentucky lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban the use of assets of state retirement systems from paying placement agents. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com HB 480 would prohibit assets

Workers Turning Focus to Long-Term Financial Planning February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – While the recession led employees to turn their attention to debt management and budgeting, research from Financial Finesse finds that in 2010, they refocused on the future. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com

Small Firms Wary of Offering Retirement Plans February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The economy and changes in retirement plan options have made it difficult for small businesses to offer employer-sponsored retirement plans for employees, according to a joint report from the National Center for Policy Analysis 

Recession Spurred Growth of “Contingent” Workforce February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A report from Adecco USA notes the number of Americans working part time because full-time work is not available has doubled since the recession began in 2007, to 9.2 million. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com

American Beacon Adds High Yield Opportunities Fund February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - American Beacon Advisors has announced the addition of American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund (Ticker: SHOIX) to its family of mutual funds. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com The fund seek

ING Clarion Partners to be Acquired by Lightyear Capital February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Lightyear Capital has reached an agreement with ING Group to acquire Clarion Partners, a U.S.-based real estate investment firm. PLANSPONSOR staff editors@plansponsor.com Founded in 1982, Clarion P

NYC Proposes Firing Managers Who Disparage Pensions February 15, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – Newly hired managers for part of New York City’s $108 billion pension fund might be fired if they criticize workers’ benefits, Bloomberg reports. Rebecca Moore editors@plansponsor.com Joseph Alejandro,