In-Depth Reports

Opportunities in the High Balance IRA Market

Retirement planning advice continues to remain a sought-after service among the affluent and high net worth communities. 

Defined Contribution Plans in the Not-for-Profit Sector

The Not-for-Profit (NFP) retirement market has grown to more than $1 trillion in assets and almost 35,000 sponsors. In the past few years, sponsors have increased the use of outside advisors and have considerably reduced the number of providers they offer to their employees. Spectrem’s 2012 Not-for-Profit Sector study is designed to provide firms offering retirement products and services to NFP organizations with the strategic insights needed to compete successfully in this important market.

Retirement Income Gap: When Planning Fails to Meet Expectations

Over the next few years several million Baby Boomers will be preparing to retire and will be seeking advice and assistance to ensure they are adequately prepared.  Do they have enough monthly income?  How do they balance their income compared to their expenses?

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.