Concerns and Expectations What is the top concern facing your practice today? 2018 Fee compression Practice management Adding new clients Competition/Practice differentiation Staffing Government regulation Compliance/Fiduciary issues Participant communication/education Marketing Client retention Technology Succession planning Profitability Plan sponsor communication/education Fee disclosure/transparency Overall economy 2017 39% 40% 29% 30% 28% 32% 25% 28% 25% 23% 23% 24% 22% 22% 20% 18% 18% 15% 14% 14% 13% 7% 12% 12% 11% 21% 10% 8% 6% 5% 7% 4% How confident are you that most of your plan sponsor clients' employees will achieve their retirement income goals by age 65? Very confident Confident Somewhat confident Only a little confident Not at all confident Unsure 2018 8% 2017 5% 27% 31% 44% 43% 16% 16% 4% 1% The number of funds on DC plan lineups have increased for many/most of my DC clients The number of funds on DC plan lineups have stayed the same for many/most of my DC clients 5% 0% The number of funds on DC plan lineups have decreased for many/most of my DC clients What do you predict will be the most significant growth area/strategy for your practice in the next 12 months? 2018 401(k) plans Strategic partnerships Fiduciary services Referrals Participant advice/education Non-qualified deferred compensation plans Plan/fee benchmarking Other workplace benefits Defined benefit plans 403(b) plans Retirement income discussions Rollovers Health care plans Retirement income products Target-date funds Fee disclosure ETFs 2017 51% 53% 36% 32% 34% 40% 30% 40% 27% 30% 21% 16% 18% 17% 16% 5% 15% 16% 13% 14% 13% 7% 9% 9% 4% 4% 3% 2% 1% 1% 5% 7% 5% 1% In terms of the number of investment options on your DC plan client lineups, have the number of funds changed in the past year? 2018 2017 10% 66% 65% 27% 25% Want to See More Information From This or Other Surveys? Data from the Practice Benchmarking Survey is available in Excel format, as is the case with many other surveys from PLANADVISER and PLANSPONSOR. Contact Michelle.Judkins@strategic-i.com for information, pricing and sample files. 36 | planadviser.com November-December 2018 8%http://www.planadviserdigital.com/planadviser/november_december_2018/TrackLink.action?pageName=36&exitLink=mailto%3AMichelle.Judkins%40strategic-i.com http://www.planadviserdigital.com/planadviser/november_december_2018/TrackLink.action?pageName=36&exitLink=http%3A%2F%2Fplanadviser.com