This week (May 23 – May 29, 2010) marks National Small Business Week. Since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has taken time annually to acknowledge the efforts of small business owners and entrepreneurs for these contributions to the national economy.

In an article provided by US News, American savers are requesting a few improvements be made to 401(k) programs nationwide. According to a study conducted by ING Retirement Services, Americans surveyed believe all companies should provide a 401(k) or retirement savings program to all employees as well as offer investment guidance to keep them on track.

Think you know enough about converting to a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? You might not. A recent online quiz, which tests your knowledge on the subject, found that only five to six percent of those who took it got all 10 questions correct.

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that it plans to release a new rule concerning Target Dated Funds and Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIAs). The rule, which is expected to be released in August 2010, will require plan sponsors to provide participants and their beneficiaries with more specific information regarding Target Dated Funds serving as QDIAs. A fact sheet about QDIAs is available on the DOL Web site.

When selecting the type of investment vehicle you want to use to save through your employer-sponsored retirement plan, attractive features such as a Roth 401(k) are popular choices. However, according to an article on Favstock.com, there are three specific factors that will help you determine which 401(k) plan you should start saving your money in.

Cardinal Bank, NADART’s trustee and custodian, was recently evaluated by the financial Web site Motley Fool, which posted a rather positive recommendation.

Participants are demanding more transparency about their retirement plans, especially when it comes to plan-related fees, and plan sponsors need to be aware of such issues and how to address them.

As businesses nation-wide are starting to bounce back after the 2009 economic downfall, employers are not only reinstating their 401(k) employer match, they are also adding additional features to their plan to ensure employees are meeting their retirement savings goals.