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ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu – Moonwalking Tariffs
"The Trump Administration decided to exempt the European Union, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, and Australia from the steel and aluminum tariffs that went into effect on March 23. Below is a list of the top 11 sources of imported steel into the US."
ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu – Three Steps to Prepare for 2019 Business Cycle Decline
"We are at that point in the business cycle when the leading indicator signals become “mixed.” Our leading indicator methodology is set up to account for this. We wait until two, then five, and ultimately 10 indicators have flipped from rise to decline, as is the case for 2017-2018."
Benefit Insights: Navigating Distributions
The first quarter of the calendar year typically sees an uptick in the number of retirement plan distributions and participant loans. This year may be even busier than most, given the relief announced by the IRS for victims of the recent hurricanes and wildfires. Whatever the reason, participant distributions present a complex set of rules for Plan Sponsors to navigate. Under current law, a participant is entitled to a distribution from their account upon the occurrence of certain events or, as they are technically known, distributable events.
ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu – The 0.5% Tax Nudge
There seems to be a broad assumption that the tax law changes are going to dump a lot of fresh, free cash into the economy. We are hopeful that it will move the economic needle, but we urge caution because more data is needed.
ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu
We are heading into 2018 with the economy in good shape in most segments. Industrial, service, and retail data point toward a strong first half of 2018. We expect slowing growth in the second half of the year. That outlook is unchanged. Read more to see other predictions…
Benefit Insights: End of the Year Checklist
As the year-end approaches, our to-do lists can be lengthy. There are holidays to prepare for, employee performance reviews to complete, and, oh, wait, there is also the year-end data collection package from your TPA! We have once again reached that magical time of the year when you get to submit information regarding your retirement plan so your compliance services can be completed. While your TPA firm does the heavy lifting, the information you submit is the basis for accurate compliance testing. While not very exciting, this information is important. So, what should you know about the year-end tasks?
ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu
There is an overriding concern for the US economy and the labor shortage. However, every recent college graduate may ask “what shortage? I am right here?”
ITR Economics: Insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu
Know where you are in the business cycle and take the risks associated with doing everything you can to keep the good times rolling beyond 2018.
ITR Economics: Business Cycle is Rising Now
Read more about the economic business insights from ITR Economics CEO, Brian Beaulieu!
Benefit Insights: Fiduciary - The New "F" Word
There has been a large amount of upheaval in the retirement world as of late and it centers around the “F”
word. And by “f” word, I mean “fiduciary.” The New Fiduciary Rule means that many professionals in the finance world that weren’t previously considered fiduciaries will now have to take on that title. In April 2016, the Department of Labor (DOL) laid out its plan to implement the “New Fiduciary Rule” or
“Best Interest Rule.” However, after several delays, further phases of the rule have been pushed out to July 2019. Read more to understand what the plan sponsors need to know.