PROGRAM DETAILS:

8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.
WELCOME

8:35 a.m. - 9:20 a.m.
INVESTMENT SESSION: The Pros and Cons of Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts

Self-directed brokerage accounts (SDBAs) allow defined contribution plan participants to choose investments from an almost unlimited universe of options.  What are the pros and cons of these accounts?  What are the practical and compliance issues that plan sponsors should consider in allowing them?  In this session, Robert Jesch will provide his insights on these and other SDBA considerations.

Mr. Jesch has nearly 27 years of experience in the financial services industry.  He has been with Charles Schwab for nearly 24 years, and has been the managing director for Schwab’s SDBA for the past 15 years. Mr. Jesch has a B.S. degree in management science and an M.B.A. in corporate finance and holds Series 7, Series 66 and Series 24 securities licenses.

9:20 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
BREAK

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
LEGAL SESSION: Legal Update    

Matt Gouaux will provide an update on key legal developments affecting employee benefit plans, with a focus on recent judicial decisions and regulations and other guidance affecting tax-qualified plans.

Mr. Gouaux is an attorney at the law firm of Trucker Huss, where he concentrates his practice on keeping qualified retirement plans qualified.  Mr. Gouaux advises public and private companies, non-profit organizations and governmental entities on compliance matters related to defined benefit and defined contribution plans.  He received his undergraduate degree in economics from California State University, Stanislaus, and his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

10:15 a.m. - 10:25 a.m.
BREAK

10:25 a.m.- 11:10 a.m.
RETIREMENT SESSION: Why Doesn’t Your Retirement Plan Work? 13 Traps that Limit the Effectiveness of Your Plan

When it comes to saving for retirement, the human brain is programmed with some glitches that can dramatically impact the success of a retirement plan.  In this session, Brian Montanez will describe 13 behavioral biases and what plan sponsors can do to reduce the effect of these traps on plan participants.

Mr. Montanez is a principal of the Multnomah Group, where he is responsible for client service and business development in Northern California.  He advises an array of organizations, including hospitals, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations and private employers. Mr. Montanez is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), certified by the Center for Fiduciary Studies, as well as a Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) and Tax Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC), certified by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA).  Mr. Montanez holds a B.S. in economics and finance from Bentley University.

11:10 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
BREAK

11:20 a.m. - Noon

HEALTHCARE REFORM UPDATE: 2014 is Here!

With the 2014 roll-out of the Affordable Care Act, what have plan sponsors learned and how are they reacting?  What uncertainties and challenges remain? In this session, Paul Klein will provide an update on what approaches for compliance should be considered, with a focus on how local employers are preparing for the 2015 play-or-pay employer mandate.

Mr. Klein is a Senior Consultant in the Health and Group Benefits at Towers Watson’s San Francisco office, where he focuses on health care benefit strategies and designs.  He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College and his master’s degree in organization development from the University of San Francisco.