The issue of providing retirement planning and/or investment advice to retirement plan participants has been getting more and more attention. Many are of the opinion that workers are in need of something more than general financial education to help them prepare for a secure retirement, and employer-provided advice could be the answer. Congress has even been considering legislation that would provide safe harbors to sponsors who offer such services.

This course examines the issues plan sponsors should consider when contemplating whether or not to offer advice to participants. It tracks the recent trend in the workplace, and the history of advice from the legislative standpoint. The course also provides important information about how to assess the different ways to deliver advice, and which methods are appropriate for the participant population. A discussion on how adults learn and receive messages helps clarify why some methods of delivering advice may be more effective than others.

InFRE does not take a position on whether or not to offer advice in the workplace. This course is designed to help plan sponsors make an informed decision about whether or not to provide this service to participants.