Blog (2)

The Future for ESG Investing

Kacy Reece-Balboni

Kacy Reece-Balboni

Blog Post

Earlier this summer, our team hosted our first virtual “symposium-style” event focused on addressing some of the industry's hot topics and trends, including Financial Wellness in the Workplace; Regulatory and Legislative Initiatives for Retirement and Benefits Plans; and The Future for ESG Investing. While the live event was over six hours long, we have created this series of shorter highlight videos so you can easily digest and use this valuable and informative information within your own organization. 

Our second highlight video series is from the "Understanding ESG Investing" panel moderated by AFS 401(k)'s Managing Principal, Alex Assaley. He sat down with Clarice Avery, VP, Investment Strategist of Natixis Investment Managers, and Katherine Collins, Head of Sustainable Investing of Putnam Investments to talk about ESG investing and what companies should know about ESGs and the future of this investment option. Here are a few of the moments from their session together: 

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Financial Wellness in the Workplace

Earlier this summer, our team hosted our first virtual “symposium-style” event focused on addressing some of the industry's hot topics and trends, including Financial Wellness in the Workplace; Regulatory and Legislative Initiatives for Retirement and Benefits Plans; and The Future for ESG Investing. While the live event was over six hours long, we have created this series of shorter highlight videos so you can easily digest and use this valuable and informative information within your own organization. 

Our first highlight video series is from the "Financial Wellness in the Workplace" panel, moderated by AFS 401(k) consultant Allison Rosenberg. She sat down with two of the area’s top Human Resources leaders – Maggie Crutchfield, Director of Human Resources of the National Women's Law Center, and Felipe Confiño, Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development of Signal Financial Federal Credit Union to discuss the strategies and tools they use to engage with their workforce and enhance company culture. Here's are a few of the moments from their session together: 

 

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Market and Economic Update: Full Steam Ahead

As the U.S. makes progress on the vaccine rollout, our country’s economy is picking up momentum and slowly but steadily returning to normal. Pending any new setbacks, many large businesses are planning on bringing staff back to the office in September, and on the educational front, it appears schools at all levels are looking to reopen for the fall semester, and that momentum doesn’t look like it will be slowing down. Anecdotally, almost everyone we have spoken to over the past few months has told us that he or she is booking flights and getting his or her travel plans in place for the upcoming summer and fall. The main point: People are eager to return to as much normalcy as possible.

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How Do You Know When It's Time for a New Retirement Plan Advisor?

As a benefits professional, the relationship you have with your retirement advisor is a crucial one. Their role is to help you navigate some of the most complicated aspects of your job. A few phrases we often hear employers use to justify sticking it out with their current advisor are (even if the relationship isn’t working): "I think my advisor does everything they're supposed to do, performing an advisor search isn't worth the effort, and we've been doing business with them for years." Relationships are important in business, but it's not always equitable to getting the best service possible and doing what's right for your organization and, most importantly – your employees?

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Are Password Managers the Key to Online Security?

Passwords can be just as annoying as they are necessary, and most of us are probably all too familiar with the never-ending "forgot password, reset password, forget new password, repeat process" saga. Leveraging a password manager will not only keep your information secure, but also make it easier to keep track of the sheer number of passwords you need these days. With these benefits in mind, everyone should consider using a password manager to keep his or her online information protected and secure.

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The SECURE Act 2.0: What Does It Mean for Your Company’s Retirement Plan?

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Blog Post

AdobeStock_241000974-1Early last year, Congress passed significant changes to retirement savings law that affected many in 2020 and will continue to affect many of us now in and in the future. This new law, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, was part of the massive government spending bill that was approved by Congress on December 19, 2019, and signed into law on December 20, 2019. This bill extensively reshaped the realm of employer-sponsored retirement plans for both employers and employees and enacted the biggest changes to the U.S. retirement system since 2006.

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Instilling Financial Responsibility in Your Children

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Blog Post

Teaching money management skills is not a requirement in any school or college. Even though some institutions have begun to make efforts to include a lesson or class on the matter, the reality is that the responsibility rests on parents to educate their children on financial matters and shape their financial futures. This can be a daunting task, but financial discipline is one of the most valuable lessons parents can instill on their children. Educating your children on financial prudence early in life will help prepare them to take thoughtful ownership of their finances when the time comes.

Here are five ways to teach your children, no matter what age they are, financial responsibility and the value of such expertise.

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Is Buying a Second Home and Investing in Real Estate on Your Mind?

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Blog Post

Home ownership is one of the biggest investments you can make in life. If and when you consider buying a second home for pleasure or potential rental income, the decision warrants thoughtful and careful consideration, especially in terms of your finances and long-term financial goals. You need to be prepared for the long-term responsibilities that come with owning a second home – from unpredictable and potentially costly maintenance repairs to taxes and the inevitable nuances of having renters – you need to ensure you are both financially and mentally prepared for the responsibility you are assuming. Here are five things to reflect on before you take the next steps towards ownership of a second property.

 

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The Final Stretch of 2020: The Markets and the Election

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Alp Atabek, AIF®

Blog Post

Saying 2020 has been a wild ride is putting it lightly. Although it would be great to fast forward and file this year in the past, we are not quite there yet. With two months left before the ball drops, a lot can still happen this year, especially with the election a mere few days away, promising phase-three vaccine trials, and an approximately two-trillion-dollar stimulus package being worked on. 

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IRS Updates 2021 Pension Plan Limits

Alex Assaley, AIF®

Alex Assaley, AIF®

Blog Post

Effective January 1, 2021 the IRS announced the 2021 Pension Plan Limitations. These changes will take effect in the upcoming tax year for retirement plans. 

Check out our infographic that details all the changes you'll want to be aware of in the upcoming year when it comes to your role managing an employer-sponsored retirement plan. 

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