PLANADVISER - September/October 2021 - 4

publisher's note //
On Our 15th Year
F
ifteen years ago this month, we launched
the PLANADVISER brand. This decision was
made in part because, through increased
adviser attention to our PLANSPONSOR brand, and
registrations for its events, we had seen " the role
and impact of financial advisers in this industry
expand greatly in significance, " to cite thoughts
expressed in our premiere issue. There were plenty
of publications for financial advisers-some of
which paid lip service to retirement-plan-focused
advisers-but none that directly aimed to speak to
this demographic.
The charter issue's cover story was titled " Now What? " a reference to the
work people all across the industry were doing, attempting to sort out the
implications of the recently signed Pension Protection Act (PPA), especially
what it meant for retirement plan advisers. I recall questions being asked about
what the role was for the adviser if a plan was able to be run on automatic
plan features. It turns out, no skilled plan adviser should have worried; there's
plenty of value to be added, and advice to be given, even for-sometimes especially
for-plans utilizing auto-enrollment, auto-escalation and the qualified
default investment alternatives.
As is common with any anniversary or birthday, I find myself reflecting on
the past. We founded PLANADVISER with a mission to help those advisers who
had been working in this role for years, as well as those just getting involved
with employer-sponsored retirement programs. We told you there would be
" a deep appreciation of the complex issues regularly faced by retirement plan
advisers, coupled with practical problem-solving strategies, as well as features
on things as diverse as practice management, business development and
effective plan administration. " I'd like to think we've done well meeting that
mission, which continues to be at the core of this brand.
As we look ahead, we have many plans for PLANADVISER to respond to
the changing landscape of the industry and to create more opportunities to
help you be better at your job. We will continue to recognize, and share stories
from, those who are doing great things. Over the next few months, you will
see a new set of adviser awards and recognitions-these range from a slightly
different approach to our Top 100, to a whole new set of Retirement Plan Adviser
of the Year categories, some emphasizing client services, others, mentorship
and diversity, equity and inclusion. We are increasing our focus on monthly
in-depth features and creating more multimedia to be available online. We've
got plans for new ways to get adviser voices front and center because the best
way for us to meet your needs is to stay regularly connected and to understand
how these needs are changing.
Fifteen years ago, I wrote in my opening letter that we wanted to give
you a voice and a resource because " your role in helping employers-and,
ultimately, participants-make choices that are well-reasoned, prudent and
consistent with the requirements of ERISA [Employee Retirement Income
Security Act] is a vital service. With your help, more Americans will enjoy
a secure and dignified retirement. " This is only truer today than it was then.
The road to financial security for most Americans is paved, with some help
from payroll deferral and compounding, by employer-sponsored retirement
programs. Advisers and consultants continue to play a pivotal role in helping
employers frame their retirement and financial wellness benefits programs.
We look forward to continued partnership with you all over the next 15 years
and beyond. -Alison Cooke Mintzer, Publisher
publisher: Alison Cooke Mintzer
Alison.Mintzer@issmediasolutions.com
creative director: SooJin Buzelli
SooJin.Buzelli@issmediasolutions.com
managing editor: Judy Faust Hartnett
Judy.FaustHartnett@issmediasolutions.com
managing editor, planadviser.com:
John Manganaro
John.Manganaro@issmediasolutions.com
editorial staff: Rebecca Moore, Michele
Theodore, Amanda Umpierrez,
Karen Wittwer
contributors: Beth Braverman, Ed McCarthy,
Judy Ward
surveys & research: Brian O'Keefe;
Angela Marinakis, Jackie Scott
design & production: Donna Bien-Aimé,
Alanna Jacobs, Joy Liu
design contributor: Cherese Rambaldi
art contributors: Joe Anderson,
Scott Bakal, Andrea D'Aquino, Guille Manchado,
Marc Rosenthal, Giulia Sagramola,
Daniel Shaffer, Anja Sušanj, Vikki Zhang (cover)
strategy & operations: Michelle Lamison
commercial director: Rob Reif
Robert.Reif@issmediasolutions.com
advertising sales: Katie Bacon; Christopher Janos,
Meighan McGowan, Bill Murray
sales operations manager: Anthony Groccia
reprints: Michelle Judkins
Michelle.Judkins@issmediasolutions.com
conferences: Carol Popkins; Katie Campbell,
Rebecca Fahey, Lucille Velander
accounting operations: Mayrillane Bahi,
Ruth Fissaha, Ricky Kostik
technology operations: Darrell Cheng, Bhakti Patel,
Jigar Patel, Dexter Reaves
PLANADVISER is owned by
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS)
president and chief executive officer: Gary Retelny
chief financial officer: Allen Heery
PLANADVISER (ISSN 1935-9098) is published
bimonthly (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug,
Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec) by Institutional Shareholder
Services Inc. (1177 Avenue of the Americas,
14th Floor, New York, NY 10036). Standard rate
postage paid at New York, NY, and at additional
mailing rate.
postmaster Send address changes to:
PLANADVISER, P.O. Box 88, Congers,
NY 10920-9916
reproduction policy PLANADVISER, Volume 16,
Issue 1. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form without
the publisher's permission. Authorization to
photocopy items for internal or personal use, or
the internal or personal use of specific clients, is
granted by ISS, provided that the appropriate fee
is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center,
222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923, USA.
Tel: 978-750-8400. Copyright. com ©2021.
Entire contents copyrighted.
4 | planadviser.com September-October 2021
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PLANADVISER - September/October 2021

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