Customer Reviews

Fixing the 401(k): What Fiduciaries Must Know (And Do) to Help Employees Retire Successfully

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Joshua's book covers a very complex subject by carefully leading its readers through it all, step by step, via a writing style that is personable (which really helps) and a format that provides a guiding hand, e.g., with a "Questions to Ask" section at the end of every chapter, many plain & simple charts throughout, plus bold headings and sub-heads and an overall easy-to-ready choice of font and type size.

Competing books aimed at this topic can leave one's head reeling. In contrast, "Fixing the 401(k)" sensitively speaks to its readers' need, producing the opposite of head-swirling. It's a useful, helpful guide that effectively makes its important points in a manner that enables its readers to know what they must do next.

Very easy to read and informative book which should be required reading for anyone involved in 401k Plans from the 401k Committee/fiduciary level, downt to those who do the day to day work and plan administration. The author is extremely knowledgable. Very good value for money spent.

Josh Itzoe, in this slim, fast read book, did a great job cutting through the 401(k) fog and getting to the root issues. That issue-clarity is worth the read alone. But Josh goes beyond his penetrating analysis to simple, clear fixes. He's not afraid to make suggestions: Use a ERISA 3(38)RIA financial manager, an independent TPA, make use of QDIAs such as Life cycle investments, and he suggests best-practice fee structures for all. In addition, he has a glossary to help with the retirement plan alphabet soup. If I were a manager needing to get a quick handle on the root 401(k)issues and good plan design, I would definitely recommend this book.

I just finished reading Josh Itzoe's "Fixing the 401(k)" and can say without hesitation this is the best book available for 401(k) plan fiduciaries. Josh walks fiduciaries through a logical, step-by-step process to review a plan without the jargon used by so many writers. Josh also is not afraid to raise issues that many industry plan investment advisors would not like discussed such as fee disclosure, conflicts of interest, and the difference between having and not having a fiduciary role. Much like a great novel, I simply could not put this book down until I was finished!

"Fixing the 401(k)" was my most valuable resource when I was in the process of fixing my company's 401(k) plan. Josh tells plan sponsors everything they need to know about fiduciary duty, fees, third party administrators and advisors, plan design, and other important topics, without going into excessive detail. As someone having a CFP and AIF designation, and someone who works as a Registered Investment Advisor, he provides a valuable insider's perspective into the retirement plan industry. "Fixing the 401(k)" is a must read for plan sponsors, and can also be a great tool to help plan participants identify problems in their companies' plans that, if they are brave, they can bring to the attention of management and hopefully get their plan changed for the better.

Josh has done a fine job breaking down the 401(k) into simple-to-understand sections. From deligation of responsibility to plan design, everyone can learn something from this book. He continually points to the biggest single flaw in retirement plans today, a lack of transparency. Great book, great value.

Josh has written an excellent book, which concisely describes the duties of a Trustee and the issues which must be addressed. The chapter which identifies who the players are is particularly important, since everybody wants the best possible Plan but few understand the sometimes conflicting goals of vendor, broker, and others.

If every 401(k) Trustee would read this book, they would have all the information they need to maximize returns, minimize expenses, and cover themselves from a fiduciary standpoint.

It's too bad it doesn't get handed out along with the prospectus!

Josh has been able to write a very "readable" book on a complex and difficult topic. Our nation faces a major retirement savings crisis. This book outlines how fiduciaries, including plan sponsors and quality advisors, can make make prudent decisions that will help fix this problem. This book is a must read for anyone involved in helping retirement plan participants achieve investing and saving success. The time has come for fiduciaries to thoroughly understand and prudently manage their responsibilities. Ignorance should no longer be excuse now that a resource like Josh's book is available to anyone. I would encourage every plan fiduciary to buy this book and refer to it when making their retirement plan decisions.

Josh Itzoe has done a great favor to plan fiduciaries and financial advisors across the country. He has succeeded in simplifying a very complex subject, providing a much-needed resource to the financial services community. This book is not only valuable to plan fiduciaries; it is a very helpful tool for all financial advisors who provide investment services in the 401(k) arena. I've ordered copies for every financial advisor on my team.

It is clear that Josh Itzoe is committed, not only to excellence in his personal RIA practice, but also in helping other advisors achieve this same level of excellence. Thanks, Josh, for making us all better at what we do!

Joshua Itzoe's Fixing the 401(k) covers numerous important topics and should help 401(k) plan fiduciaries better appreciate the scope and nature of their responsibilities. Mr. Itzoe also offers candid opinions based on his expertise as a principal of a registered investment advisory firm. At the end of each of the first 11 chapters of the book, Mr. Itzoe supplies practical questions that focus on fiduciary responsibility and fee disclosure. Whether you agree or disagree with Mr. Itzoe's conclusions, every one of his questions is worth asking. The final chapter nicely ties together the concepts of the book with a case study that could easily be a real-life example.