Will 2010 bring 401k reform?More than a year after the stock market meltdown, a big rally has soothed the pain and slowed the push to overhaul the retirement system. So what's next for our nest eggs? When the stock market hit its all-time high in October 2007, few investors questioned the merits of their 401k plans. Two years later, their feelings are different. As investors continue to nurse the wounds of losing more than a third of their retirement savings, many wonder whether there's a fundamental flaw in 401k plans. Should the system be scrapped and replaced with something without all the risk? While the once-loud calls for change have quieted a bit as the stock market has soared about 60% since March, legions of investors remain anxious that their 401k's might let them down again. There are several ideas floating around Congress that include increased disclosure of fees in mutual funds and new regulations about 401k investment advice. Michael Townsend, as the vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs for Charles Schwab, analyzes government proposals to determine how they might affect individual investors. He offers insight into what's under consideration. Read the entire article here
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