National Conference Breakout Workshops

Over the past year, PSCA has been expanding its scope and has worked to raise awareness about defined contribution plan issues that are unique to 403(b) plans. At the National Conference in September, there will be several sessions that will provide valuable information for 403(b) plan sponsors. Jodi DiCenzo's keynote presentation about the latest defined contribution research will cover data from PSCA's most recent comprehensive survey of 403(b) plans. We'll also have some breakout workshops featuring topics unique to 403(b) plan sponsors, including:

Understanding 403(b) Fee Structures
Presented by Silvia Frank, Trinity Health; Novi, MI
As fiduciaries, it is critically important that 403(b) plan sponsors understand the fee structure of their plans and how to consolidate assets to increase negotiating power to lower fees and provide participants with lower cost investment options. Hear examples of how plan administrators have worked with their consultants and service providers to identify and develop a procedure to address issues with fragmented plan assets and excess plan revenue. As school districts, hospitals, associations, and other non-profit sponsors aggressively explore cost-cutting measures, see how a 1% difference in the fee structure affects participants’ retirement income and your plan’s cost.

Fiduciary 101 for 403(b) Plans
Presented by Rance Buss, McConnell & Jones LLP
As 403(b) plans evolve to “look and feel” like 401(k) plans, do 403(b) plan sponsors understand what it means to be a fiduciary? Are they aware of the legal impact and potential liabilities they face when making decisions regarding their plans and the consequences of not following the process? These and other questions will be discussed and answered during this workshop by leading experts on fiduciary responsibilities as they relate to 403(b) plans. This is an essential workshop for all 403(b) plan administrators and can be used as an important first step in fulfilling your requirement as being a “prudent expert.”

Join us for Polynesian Night!

The evening event for this year's national conference promises to be both entertaining and exciting! The last evening of the conference will be topped off on the Ritz-Carlton's Oceanfront Lawn with Polynesian Night, an evening of delicious food, beautiful music, entertainment including Polynesian fire dancers, and the opportunity to relax with other conference attendees.


Preregistration is required for this year for the Thursday, 9/23/10, event, so be sure and purchase your tickets soon so that you can take part in what is certain to be a great time! Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased via the PSCA web site or by calling 312/419-1863. Seating is limited and tickets will not be sold at the conference, so be sure and get yours today!

Important Keynote Topics

Here is a preview of a couple of keynote presentations that will take place at the PSCA National Conference. Plan sponsors won't want to miss this important information:

Learning from Crisis Communications: Hoping it Never Happens Again. But, if it Does…

Presented by Christine Marcks, President, Prudential Retirement

During the unprecedented financial chaos of 2008-2009, plan sponsors and plan providers alike witnessed widespread participant panic, fear, and irrationality.
The news media did little, if anything, to calm the waters. Unfortunately, millions of American workers sold assets and cashed out as the market was plunging and then missed the market’s recovery in 2010. To address these issues, Prudential Retirement in the middle of 2008 formed a Crisis Communications Team, comprised of senior executives from across many areas of Prudential Financial overall. The team met daily at 8:00 a.m. for the next 18 months, and its goal was to learn what was happening with sponsors and participants on any given day and then to immediately develop and distribute communications designed to address the issues that were arising at that moment. The result was scores of specific communications to sponsors and participants, including several live, online video broadcasts, training for call-center representatives, and multiple new postings to sponsor and participant Web sites. Now, two years later, Prudential Retirement is enjoying its highest levels of sponsor retention in history, at 97%.

Evaluating America’s Retirement Readiness: How Are Turbulent Economic Times Affecting Participant Retirement Income?

Presented by Christopher Jones, Executive Vice President of Investment Management and Chief Investment Officer, Financial Engines, Inc.

Recent market volatility has had a significant impact on the amount of retirement income most 401(k) participants can expect in retirement. But, just how big is the gap between what participants need to retire and the amount of retirement income their 401(k) accounts are likely to generate? The National 401(k) Evaluation 2010, a new research report from Financial Engines, seeks to answer that important question and more. Join us for the official unveiling of the results of the report, in which we’ll provide an assessment of more than one million 401(k) portfolios and examine how the decisions participants are making with regard to savings, portfolio risk and diversification, and company stock holdings are affecting their 401(k) retirement income prospects. The presentation will also highlight which participants are taking full advantage of their 401(k)s and which participants are making damaging mistakes.