Mutual Fund Window
Similar to a self-directed brokerage window, except the investments available to supplement a plan’s core investments are limited to mutual funds. (See also competing option.)
Pooled Fund
A fund, typically offered by a bank or trust company that combines the assets of unaffiliated plans into one large group. With respect to a stable value investment option that is a pooled fund, the fund would purchase stable value investment contracts and other investments on behalf of the invested, unaffiliated plans. These funds may also be referred to as […]
Sponsor
See plan sponsor.
Trustee
The person(s), bank or trust company that has responsibility over some or all financial aspects (receipts, disbursements, and investments) of a defined contribution plan or defined benefit plan. Most institutional trustees serve as “directed trustees” that are subject to direction by a plan’s named fiduciaries.
Benefit Payment
Any payments resulting from a participant’s retirement, death, disability or termination of employment, and any payments resulting from a participant’s election to withdraw, borrow, or transfer an amount from such participant’s account in accordance with the terms of a plan under which a participant is an eligible member.
Competing Option
An investment option offered by a defined contribution plan in addition to the stable value investment option that has principal preservation as a primary objective (such as a money market option or short-term bond option) or other characteristics similar to stable value. Additionally, self-directed brokerage or mutual fund windows may be deemed competing if a competing option is made available through the window. The presence […]
Department of Labor (DOL)
A federal agency created in 1913 to advance workers’ welfare, working conditions, and, in general, employment opportunities. A division of the DOL, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is responsible for the interpretation and enforcement of ERISA, e.g., regulating fiduciary standards for pension plans and plan reporting on Form 5500. Click here for official website.
Fiduciary
As defined by ERISA, any person or firm who: (a) exercises any discretionary authority or discretionary control over the management of a plan or any authority or control over the management or disposition of its assets, (b) renders investment advice for a fee with respect to the funds or property of the plan, or has the […]
Investment Contract
Any of a variety of stable value contracts including bank investment contracts, traditional GICs, separate account GICs, and synthetic GICs. Within a stable value investment option, such contracts are benefit-responsive, meaning they permit, subject to their terms and the plan’s rules, participant initiated transactions at book value. Investment contracts may have a fixed or floating interest rate, which may not be less than 0%. […]