Retirement Funds - Managing in the Mutual Fund Scandals

Daily news reports headline that federal and state law enforcement officials, including New York Attorney General Eliot Sptizer, are investigating trading practices at a number of the nation's leading mutual fund companies. Most instances allege "late-trading" and "market-timing." Many retirement plans, particularly 401(k) plans, use mutual funds as investment vehicles for plan assets. Plan fiduciaries have information, advice, questions and concerns coming at them from every direction. This Management Alert provides an overview of a plan fiduciary's responsibility, some background on recent developments and some suggestions on proceeding as a plan fiduciary.