Assessing Investment Advice Provided to Participants in Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

Abstract

Investment advice is increasingly important as more Americans enroll in defined contribution retirement plans and assume more responsibility for ensuring sufficient retirement income. This report offers the U.S. Government Accountability Office a review of the legal restraints and practical shortfalls of investment advice given to defined contribution plan participants. The authors provide targeted recommendations for research to document sources of investment advice; the effects of advice on participant behaviors; how to improve communication of investment fees; and changes in the provision of investment advice resulting from federal regulations to be approved in 2010.