Viewpoints by Chris Frank
Chris is a member of John Hancock’s benefits consulting group and is primarily responsible for managing the defined contribution consulting team. Additional responsibilities include providing quarterly legislative updates to plan sponsors, advisors, and third-party administrators; drafting position papers on topical events occurring in the retirement industry; and developing and delivering fiduciary support services. Chris joined the organization in 2005, and has more than 30 years' experience in the retirement industry. Prior to joining our team, he served as ERISA counsel and manager of compliance testing and government reporting. Chris received a B.S. in Management from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. in Finance from Babson College. In addition, he earned a J.D. from the New England School of Law, and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association.
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Differences among single, pooled, and multiple employer retirement plans
Learn about the differences between single employer and multiple employer plans.
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COVID-19 considerations for 401(k) plan fiduciaries
With COVID-19 creating business disruptions and market volatility, many plan fiduciaries have been dealing with difficult decisions about their 401(k) plans. As you make the necessary adjustments to your plan, these five steps can help you follow a prudent process.
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What the DOL’s final rule for electronic delivery means for ERISA retirement plans
The DOL has issued its final rule, and established safe harbor, for electronic delivery of retirement plan communication. Here’s what plan sponsors and financial professionals need to know.
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The CARES Act’s retirement plan provisions at a glance
The CARES Act provides COVID-19 relief with a new kind of 401(k) withdrawal, relaxed 401(k) loan rules, and an RMD waiver for participants. Here are the key provisions, at a glance.
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Three significant retirement plan changes in the CARES Act
The CARES Act contains some significant retirement plan provisions that may apply to your plan.
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Four questions to help align your retirement plan strategy with a planned M&A activity
Retirement plan strategy can be an important contributor to a successful merger or acquisition, and an effective strategy starts with asking the right questions.
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ERISA's actual knowledge requirement says what it means and means what it says
The Supreme Court has defined actual knowledge for plan sponsors.
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What the DOL’s proposed rule for electronic plan disclosures means for ERISA plans
According to the DOL, clearing the way for eDelivery would deliver both immediate and long-term benefits to retirement plan sponsors and participants. Get details on the DOL’s plan to lower retirement plan costs by providing a more comprehensive safe harbor for electronic plan disclosures.
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Four things you should know about the SECURE Act
The SECURE Act was signed into law late in 2019. This article summarizes four things we think you should understand about it.
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What you need to know about the new regulations on 401(k) hardship distributions
On September 23, the IRS published final regulations on hardship distributions in the Federal Register. The following is our summary of the changes that apply to 401(k) plans, as well as John Hancock’s perspective on how to proceed with both the mandatory and optional provisions.
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