DOL proposed fiduciary rule: What advisers need to know

After nearly five years of waiting, the Department of Labor has released its proposal to amend the regulation governing ERISA’s fiduciary definition. The proposed fiduciary rule aims to expand fiduciary duties to those who provide investment advice. With expert analysis and reaction, EBA is covering the highly anticipated unveiling of the rule. Here you can find our complete coverage on the proposed rule:

Contract exemption could be as important as DOL fiduciary rule

Commentary: ERISA lawyer shares 9 initial reactions to the Department of Labor’s proposed fiduciary definition rule, including how the proposal differs from the DOL’s 2010 effort.

'Overwhelming' DOL fiduciary rule will help advisers in the long run

The DOL has released its highly anticipated proposed fiduciary rule. The rule is "softer than expected," according to Tony Franchimone, a principal at Retirement Benefits Group, but promises to help advisers support and educate their clients. 

Following fiduciary rule, more adviser disclosure regs to come

Commentary: Administration's headline on fee disclosure speaks for itself, but meanwhile, keep an eye on two more decisions on adviser fee disclosures that are on the horizon, says EBA Advisory Board member Jerry Kalish. 

Retirement advisers face tougher rules under long-awaited fiduciary standard

The Department of Labor Tuesday unveiled its much-anticipated rule proposal extending a fiduciary standard to thousands of brokers and advisers providing investment advice to clients on retirement accounts – but details on enforcement were still forthcoming. 

Benefits experts debate long-term impact of fiduciary rules on employers

The much-anticipated rule that provides a new definition of who is a fiduciary was released by DOL this week to much fanfare. And while most people agree there won’t be much impact on plan sponsors, there are passionate groups on both sides of the aisle fighting for or against this new proposal. 

DOL fiduciary rule falls flat

Commentary: Chris Markowski, founder of Markowski Investments, says the DOL proposed fiduciary rule is a needed one to protect plan sponsors from bad advice, but he adds, the DOL will need to dig deeper to remedy core problems of our industry. 

Watering down the fiduciary standard?

Commentary: Both fiduciary and non-fiduciary advocates are likely to find some language that appeases them in the Labor Department's new Proposed Rule to greatly expand the application of fiduciary duties to those who provide investment advice to most qualified retirement plans and IRA accounts — but both sides will also find language which causes much concern. 

Proposed DOL fiduciary rules positive for plan sponsors

Commentary: The new proposal will provide greater transparency regarding fees and a uniform definition of who is a fiduciary.