Previously in Defined Contribution & Savings Plan Alert

• Maryland Company Considers Changes

  General Physics Corporation, an Elkridge, Md.-based company with an approximately $63 million plan and 1,000 active participants, is considering a recordkeeper search sometime next year.

• Task Force To Issue Best Practices for Plan Sponsors

  The Investment Fiduciary Leadership Council has formed a task force of plan sponsor officials charged with creating a set of standards to help firms determine the reasonableness of fees and acceptable conflicts of interest within their respective plans.

• Study: 18% Fund Managers Expect Inflation To Fall

  Around 18% of fund managers expect global core inflation to fall in the coming 12 months, according to a Merrill Lynch survey.

• Superannuation To Faces Tough Times

  The superannuation industry has enjoyed its best years for inflows but a declining population will present more challenging times, KPMG partner Bernard Salt warns.

• NJ Transit Approves Early Retirement Plan

  NJ Transit has approved its own early retirement plan and a two-year hiring freeze of administrative workers. (Daily Record)

• Pension Funds To Defy Divestment Order

  New Hampshire has ordered its two public pension systems to shed any investments that support Sudan's campaign of genocide and rape in Darfur, but officials say the order may be unconstitutional. (The Associated Press)

• Sponsors Put Away More For Retirement

  The average pre-tax contribution into 401(k) accounts grew by 7% in the first six months of 2008, according to a study by Fidelity Investments. (Economic Times)

• Study: Workers Avoid Cutting Contributions

  Most workers aren't reducing their retirement contributions, even though higher fuel and food prices have led them to cut spending in many areas, according to Fidelity Investments. (USA Today)