Beyond Bulls & Bears

Decision made: Why 529 plans are a popular choice for education savings
College Savings

Decision made: Why 529 plans are a popular choice for education savings

For families saving for college, 529 plans remain popular. Our Bill Cass shares some key facts about 529 plans.

Bill Cass, CFP®, CPWA® |
Driving convergence between retirement and wealth
Retirement

Driving convergence between retirement and wealth

Legislation is driving a renewed focus on workers without workplace savings plans, creating opportunities for both wealth advisors and retirement specialists. Our Retirement Strategist Mike Dullaghan discusses the trends.

Mike Dullaghan |
Consider a reset of college savings with a 529 plan
College Savings

Consider a reset of college savings with a 529 plan

Understanding the broader tax benefits, 529 plans may be a more tax-efficient way to save for college than custodial accounts. Our Wealth Planning Director Bill Cass highlights several reasons to consider this strategy.

Bill Cass, CFP®, CPWA® |
Getting personal: Mind the benefits gap
Retirement

Getting personal: Mind the benefits gap

Educating workers about workplace benefits is vital to employee retention, according to findings from Franklin Templeton’s 2024 “Voice of the American Workplace” survey. Our Jacque Reardon shares findings from the survey related to what employees want—and how employers can meet these needs to benefit both parties.

Jacquelyn Reardon |
Great Expectations: Aligning on workplace benefits
Retirement

Great Expectations: Aligning on workplace benefits

The fourth edition of Franklin Templeton’s “Voice of the American Workplace” survey included the perspectives of both employers and workers. The 2024 survey found US workers are prioritizing higher compensation and the ability to save more for retirement. At the same time, employers’ perceptions of what workers are seeking has diverged. In this piece, our Jacque Reardon shares findings from the survey and potential implications for employers.

Jacquelyn Reardon |
SECURE 2.0 creates new backdoor Roth opportunity
Legislation

SECURE 2.0 creates new backdoor Roth opportunity

Here’s a look at how a new legislative provision may be an opportunity to help jump-start retirement savings for children while saving for college at the same time.

Bill Cass, CFP®, CPWA® |
Financial independence remains a top priority despite employee feelings of financial anxiety
Retirement

Financial independence remains a top priority despite employee feelings of financial anxiety

US workers are clearly feeling the strain of economic uncertainty, according to Franklin Templeton’s third annual “Voice of the American Worker” study. The study revealed that financial anxiety has reversed the pandemic’s “Great Resignation” to “the Great Return” and is reshaping employee benefits expectations. Our Jacquelyn Reardon shares findings from the survey, and potential action items for employers.

Jacquelyn Reardon |
“Managed accounts” is a terrible name
Education

“Managed accounts” is a terrible name

The retirement savings industry is at the dawn of a mega-trend that will define the next decade or more—personalization, according to Kevin Murphy, Franklin Templeton’s Head of Workplace Retirement Distribution.

Kevin Murphy |
Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions
Perspectives

Quick Thought: US financial services policies shift to rules, regulations, and executive actions

The financial services outlook includes more oversight by the US Congress and states. Regulations and executive actions will likely affect housing policies, digital assets, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing in 2023.

Stephen H. Dover, CFA |
You are not first: Making the case for alternatives—particularly commercial real estate—in defined contribution plans
College Savings

You are not first: Making the case for alternatives—particularly commercial real estate—in defined contribution plans

Despite widespread use in institutional portfolios, alternative investments are not typically found in US defined contribution plans. Drew Carrington, Head of Institutional Defined Contribution at Franklin Templeton, and Tripp Braillard, Head of Defined Contribution Distribution at Clarion Partners, explain why perhaps they should be.

Drew Carrington, CFA |
Saving for college: Start small, but start now
Education

Saving for college: Start small, but start now

Graduation season provides an important reminder of the high costs of a college education. Sandra Palmer, Head of 529 Distribution at Franklin Templeton, discusses how to finance a college education, how it’s similar to saving for other life goals, and how friends and family can get involved.

Sandra Palmer |