Companies are good at selling many things to Americans. Unfortunately, selling good saving habits is not one of them, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal. The article explains why it is so difficult to change the non-saving habit and offers suggestions on what can be done about it. Some examples include:

For business owners who would like to learn more about fee disclosures for 401(k) plans, the Department of Labor (DOL) will be hosting a free webcast on Thursday, September 25, at 2:00 pm EST. The two-hour webcast will cover proposed regulations on participant fee and expense disclosure for 401(k) plans. It will also cover proposed regulations on investment advice for 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Registration is required and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

NADART also developed an informational brochure on fees, Understanding Fees, for employers seeking more information on the subject. If you would like to request a free copy, have additional questions ...

Since plan-related fees can diminish your retirement account balance over the long term and are often difficult to understand, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed regulations to spell out such fees more clearly in participant-accessible materials. This according to a recent “Wall Street Journal” (WSJ) article.

A recent article in the Central New York Business Journal focused on the issue of 401(k) loans, a feature that has gained popularity with employees in light of the current downturn in the economy and the tightening of credit standards.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, approximately one-half of the work force in the United States does not have access to a company-sponsored retirement savings program, due in part to the fact that many small businesses either can’t afford or do not wish to deal with maintaining a 401(k) plan for their employees.

A recent article in USA Today recommends that participants who are too heavily invested in company stock need to be more vigilant about diversifying their retirement account portfolio. The financial collapse of companies such as Bear Stearns, Enron and others has highlighted the downside of putting all your investment eggs in one basket, according to financial writer Sandra Block, the author of the article.

Morningstar, Inc., a well-respected provider of independent investment research and advice, recently choose four of NADART’s fund options in its “Analyst Picks” (pdf). The “Analyst Picks” are 187 funds listed as favorites by Morningstar fund analysts and are chosen out of a field of 2000 mutual funds.  The funds are listed by asset class and are chosen based on several factors, including the funds’ historical risk and return, costs, strategy and management experience.