Publications
August 2010 Newsletter
Cowden Associates, Inc. is Dedicated to Providing the Most Up-to-date Information for Health Care Reform Through our Health Care Insurance Reform Alert Series Read more
Reduction in Operations Savings
Diverse Manufacturer had numerous locations and different retirement plans at each; client wanted to reduce administrative and investment fees / costs associated with retirement plans and improve internal operations. Company had multiple divisions each with separate investment and administrative arrangements (several with the same investment/insurance company but not consolidated); No one had reviewed the arrangements to determine possible opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and / or cost savings.Read More
Resolution of Excessive Fees and Reduction of Fiduciary Risk
A Hospital client with approximately $40 million in assets was utilizing the bundled defined contribution investment and recordkeeping platform of a prominent insurance company, had not received competitive bids for many years and was concerned that fees might not be competitive. The Hospital retained Cowden Associates, Inc. (“Cowden”) to perform an independent review and if appropriate solicit competitive bids and recommend alternatives for considerations. Read more
Corporate Fiduciary Risk Reduction and Fee Reduction – Hospital Client
Hospital with approximately $40 millon of assets and over 150 fund choices wanted an independent opinion of the appropriateness of investments offered and fees associated with their retirement plans. These contracts contained large hidden deferred sales charges. The hospital was relying on an insurance agent to select funds most of which were proprietary. The contracts or arrangements had not been reviewed for possible opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and / or cost savings.Read More
Resolution of Long Standing Data Related Inconsistencie
Company was experiencing long-term data inconsistencies involving payroll, HRIS system and 401(k) recordkeeping. The continual inconsistencies resulted in: Read more
Investment Review
Manufacturing client with a $30 million dollar Defined Contribution Plan had utilized the service of a bank for approximately ten years. Assets were invested in a mix of bank managed funds and funds offered by various mutual funds. Participants were offered 23 funds with average combined fees (recordkeeping, administrative and investment management) equal to 1.17% of assets or $292,500.Read More
Opinion Survey on Employer's Actions
Cowden Associates, Inc. releases Opinion Survey on Employer's Actions in 2014. Read more
DOL Releases Final Fee Disclosure Regulation
On July 16, 2010, the DOL released an 'interim final regulation' under ERISA Section 408(b)(2) related to the disclosure of fees by service providers. Read more
July 2010 Newsletter
Cowden Associates, Inc. is Dedicated to Providing the Most Up-to-date Information for Health Care Reform Through our Health Care Insurance Reform Alert Series Read more
