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Dec 6, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
Recently, we’ve read—mainly via paid promotions—about the existence of so-called “world-class” automatic rollover IRA services, which seem to be little more than old-school, traditional automatic rollover IRAs laying claim to unspecified, premium features.
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Oct 29, 2024 | 
sanbenito.com | Thomas Hawkins
My name is Thomas J. Hawkins, a fourth Generation San Benito County cattle rancher. I was named for my locally famous great grandfather, Thomas S. Hawkins, who settled here in 1867, 157 years ago, at the age of 31. Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital saves lives, gives healthcare in San Benito County, and was given to this county by the generosity of my great grandfather. While I obviously cannot speak for T. S.
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Oct 1, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
In July, an article noted that the adoption of auto portability was picking up steam with thousands of plan sponsors already signing up for the service, delivered by the Portability Service Network (PSN). As I write this around six weeks later, that figure continues to rise at a brisk pace.
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Jun 13, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
Protecting benefits owed to a company’s current and former employees is the cornerstone of an employer’s fiduciary duty under ERISA, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. “Old-school automatic rollovers put employee benefits at risk by generating massive amounts of cashout leakage.”Tom HawkinsSo, it troubles me when I read about strategies for plan optimization that advocate for continued reliance upon “old-school” automatic rollovers.
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May 29, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
Consolidation is a powerful force in our world. Many of the world’s largest corporations are products of consolidation, and there are countless examples of the power of consolidation in our personal lives.
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May 21, 2024 | 
opg.optica.org | Maxime Cavillon |John M. Ballato |Thomas Hawkins |Miranda P. Stone
An all-glass optical fiber capable of two distinct methods of opticalthermometry is described. Specifically, a silica-clad, bariumfluorosilicate glass core fiber, when pumped in the infrared, exhibitsvisibly intense green defect luminescence whose intensity andupper-state lifetime are strong functions of temperature. Intensity-based optical thermometry over the range from 25°C to 130°Cis demonstrated, while a lifetime-based temperature sensitivity isshown from 25°C to 100°C.
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May 10, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
Missing participants, defined as individuals who have become disconnected from their retirement savings—often through their own inaction—are a significant challenge that has long plagued defined contribution plans. Unfortunately, the responsibility for locating these persons falls squarely on the shoulders of plan sponsors. Why Have a Missing Participants Policy? Policies, along with their related procedures, provide a roadmap for day-to-day operations.
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Apr 18, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
A new survey of American workers who would be eligible to receive a Saver’s Match federal matching contribution confirms the significant public policy benefits that the program could have in leveling the playing field for lower income savers—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers—while also finding that high levels of worker mobility could pose challenges in administering millions of annual matching contribution payments.
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Feb 19, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
No retirement plan sponsor likes the idea of dealing with uncashed distribution checks, nor do they wish to draw unwanted regulatory attention or to become embroiled in costly litigation because of their uncashed check policies. Unfortunately, many plan sponsors place themselves in precisely that spot, becoming unnecessarily over-burdened with unresolved uncashed checks, while inviting unwanted regulatory scrutiny and/or legal challenges by embracing flawed uncashed check policies.
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Jan 18, 2024 | 
401kspecialistmag.com | Thomas Hawkins
Policymakers and stakeholders in America’s defined contribution system have made important progress in advancing initiatives that could help to close the large racial wealth gap. While much of the groundwork has been laid, it will ultimately fall to retirement plan sponsors to make the difference by supporting four key retirement initiatives that will generate increased wealth and enhance retirement security for millions of America’s minority workers.
