Targeted Personalized Communications: A realistic approach for improving defined contribution plan utilization in today’s corporate environment

Learn how a targeted approach to accomplishing desired employee retirement saving and preparation behavior and maximizing employer return on investment can improve your employees' appreciation and use of your defined contribution plan. Over the last 15 years, we've learned that many workers are unable to take full advantage of their defined contribution retirement savings plan and properly prepare for retirement due to a multitude of reasons. Though some of these issues can be addressed by plan design changes now available because of the new Pension Security Act, there will still be a need for plan communication and education programs regarding saving and retirement itself.

We've also learned that certain communication and education approaches are more effective than others at eliciting desired plan participant behaviors. Organizations and their providers can save time, energy and money by executing mini-education and communication programs targeted at employees with particular demographics.

Your presenter for this session is Dr. Richard D. Glass, CEBS, CRC^®, President of Investment Horizons, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Investment Horizons focuses its efforts in three areas: (1) developing investment education programs and materials for the 401(k), 403(b), and 457 marketplaces, (2) helping plan sponsors and their advisors make their 401(k) plans more efficient and effective for the participant, and (3) making plan fiduciaries more cognizant of the magnitude and scope of their fiduciary responsibilities and potential liability exposures. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and did his postdoctoral work at Harvard. He is also a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) and Certified Retirement Counselor^® (CRC^®). His articles have appeared in periodicals such as Employee Benefits Journal, Pension and Investments, Benefits Quarterly, and Plan Sponsor. The guidebook, "Selecting Investments for Your Retirement Account" (now in its fifth edition), co-authored with Stan Marshall, has sold over 150,000 copies. He is also a member of the Communication and Education Committee of the Profit Sharing/401k Council of America.