
CUI Wealth Management
Blog
What is Wealth Management?
In this post, we'll delve into the intricacies of wealth management, explaining how a skilled financial advisor can be instrumental in helping you navigate your financial journey, whether it involves 401(k) planning, executive retirement planning, or other wealth-building strategies.
What to Avoid When Hiring a Financial Advisor
Hiring a financial advisor is a significant decision that can have a profound impact on your financial future. Whether you're planning for retirement, managing a 401(k), or simply seeking guidance on personal finance and wealth management, finding the right advisor is crucial. But as with any meaningful choice, there are pitfalls to avoid. Let's discuss what you should watch out for when hiring a financial advisor to help you be well-informed.
What is the Role of a 401(k) Advisor?
If you are involved in managing your company's 401(k), it can be complex and challenging. This is where a 401(k) advisor provides invaluable guidance and support. Let's explore the role of a 401(k) advisor and what they can do to help you make the most of your company's retirement plan.
What is an Investment Objective?
Understanding one's investment objectives is vital to creating a successful investment strategy. Often people ask us where they should be investing. Usually, this question is followed up with a question or statement about an investment they heard about or some potential development in the market. These are all great questions. However, these questions center around a generally expected outcome without addressing the objective.
Demystifying Investment Vehicles: Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Collective Investment Trusts
Investing is a powerful instrument for building wealth and attaining financial goals. As you embark on your investment journey, you'll encounter various investment vehicles, each with unique characteristics and benefits. Some popular investment vehicles include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and collective investment trusts (CITs). In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these investment vehicles, enabling you to decide which aligns best with your investment objectives.
How Does a 401(k) Plan Benefit an Employer?
In today's competitive job market, offering attractive employee benefits is essential for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent. While employers tend to highlight healthcare coverage, paid time off, and flexible work arrangements, a 401(k) retirement savings plan is a highly valued benefit that can significantly impact both employees and employers. In this blog post, we'll explore some advantages employers receive when offering a 401(k) plan and why it should be considered an integral part of an organization's benefits package.
What is Fiduciary Risk and How to Manage It
As a plan sponsor of a 401(k) plan, it is crucial to understand fiduciary risk and how to manage it. Fiduciary risk is the risk of a plan sponsor being held liable for losses incurred by their 401(k) plan and its participants due to a breach of their fiduciary duties. Fiduciary risk is managed by taking a few key steps, such as establishing processes to ensure the plan is governed according to the law, engaging a qualified 401(k) advisor, and providing regular training and education for staff. By taking these steps, plan sponsors can effectively manage fiduciary risk and ensure the long-term success of their 401(k) plan.
Don't Let 401(k) Plan Fees Silently Erode Participant Savings
Have you ever had to get your car repaired? Who hasn't? The worst part about getting a car repair done is sitting in the waiting room waiting to hear the verdict. You think, "How much dough do I have to pay for my window to roll up normally again?" What makes these conversations painful is that you'll probably have to pay for that repair right now, or else you'll be subject to nature's air conditioning in January. Retirement plan fees can be just as painful, if not more.
Understanding Inflation: Causes, Effects, and Strategies
Inflation is an economic concept affecting our everyday lives, yet while we all feel the effects of inflation, it is misunderstood. Inflation refers to the sustained increase in the general prices of goods and services over time, resulting in the erosion of purchasing power. For example, in May of 2022, it took nearly $11 ($10.95) to have the same purchasing power that $1 had in January of 1955, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Tips for Successful Long-Term Investing
Investing is a powerful instrument for building wealth and accomplishing long-term financial goals. While short-term gains and market fluctuations can be tempting to chase, successful long-term investing requires patience, discipline, and a well-thought-out strategy. In this blog, we will explore some essential tips to help you navigate the world of long-term investing and increase your chances of achieving lasting financial success.
Why Is Diversification Important in an Investment Portfolio?
Building a successful investment portfolio is a task that requires careful planning, research, and a strategic approach. One crucial principle that seasoned investors understand is diversification. Diversifying your investment portfolio involves spreading your investments across different asset classes, industries, and locations. This strategy mitigates risk and offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact the long-term success of your investment strategy. In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of diversification and why it should be an essential element of your investment strategy.
Does Your 401(k) Plan Reflect Your Company Culture?
Entrepreneurs see the world differently. They know the potential to change how we do things in business, find ways to make a better product, or create products and services that are more cost-effective. These changes can benefit society as a whole. But, few entrepreneurs get into business just to carbon copy or be like everyone else. They have something unique to offer, and just like any company, you have a culture that's part of your company, making working for your company different from your competitors.
How Are 401(k) Advisors Paid?
Introduction
While managing a 401(k) account can be daunting, seeking professional advice from a 401(k) advisor can prove invaluable. However, it is essential to understand how advisors are compensated to make informed decisions about whom to trust. This blog post will delve into how 401(k) advisors are paid and shed light on the compensation structures commonly used in the industry.
ERISA 3(38) VS ERISA 3(21) Fiduciaries
When managing retirement plans, employers and plan sponsors often turn to other fiduciaries to help navigate the complex landscape of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Under ERISA, fiduciaries are entrusted with managing and overseeing retirement plans in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries. However, different types of fiduciaries are defined under ERISA, with ERISA 3(38) and ERISA 3(21) being two commonly referenced categories. This blog post will delve into the distinctions between ERISA 3(38) and ERISA 3(21) fiduciaries to shed light on their roles and responsibilities.
Is It Worth Getting a 401(k) Advisor?
Plan sponsors sometimes ask whether or not they need a financial advisor for their 401(k). 401(k) advisors may seem unnecessary to some organizations, while others have expressed that their advisor has provided tremendous value. Should you hire or keep a financial advisor on your 401(k) plan? Here are a few considerations.
The Rule of 72: A Simple Way to Estimate Your Investment Growth
How long will it take my money to double? The rule of 72 is a simple yet powerful mathematical concept that can help you estimate the time it will take for your investments to double in value. The market generally gives no guaranteed return, but you can estimate how long it takes for your money to double at a given rate of return. This rule is used by investors and financial advisors as a quick and easy way to gauge the potential growth of their investments.
What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Quit?
Planning your retirement is a crucial aspect of financial management. One of the most common retirement savings vehicles is a 401(k) plan. This employer-sponsored retirement account offers tax advantages and allows you to contribute a portion of your salary toward long-term savings. However, many wonder what happens to their hard-earned 401(k) funds when they leave their job. In this blog post, we will explore the options available to individuals when they quit their job and how they can maximize their 401(k) savings.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over 401(k) Duties: 3 Action Items for HR Professionals
What Keeps You Up at Night?
Being an HR Professional, you have a lot on your plate. Among all those other responsibilities, you may be your company's 401(k) administrator. Or you may have another role with your 401(k) plan. If you are like many HR professionals, you may still need formal training for this role. It can be concerning to professionals when they don't understand the scope of this assignment or the liability that comes with it. Some have heard horror stories of plan administration that resulted in less than positive outcomes. So, where do you start?