Praise for The Four Pillars of Retirement Plans

"This up-to-the-minute book shows how the Supreme Court's recent LaRue decision has reshaped the world of retirement plans. Rules governing fiduciaries of defined benefit plans may no longer protect fiduciaries of defined contribution plans and may actually harm them. The Four Pillars of Retirement Plans is indispensable for plan sponsors and other fiduciaries, and for all those advising them, including investment advisors and attorneys."
—W. Scott Simon, JD, CFP, AIFA, author of The Prudent Investor Act: A Guide to Understanding and Morningstar "Fiduciary Focus" columnist

"This book is a must-read for all plan sponsors, financial advisors, and ERISA attorneys if they have any hope of defending themselves from the mountain of litigation looming on the horizon for all participant-directed retirement plans and provides a road map to easily modify antiquated procedures born in the defined benefit era that contradict today's participant-directed retirement plans. Plaintiff's counsel is sure to have read this book; if you don't, you will be defenseless in these suits."
—Edward Siedle, Esq., "The Pension Detective" and President of Benchmark Financial Services, Inc.

"If you are a trustee, plan sponsor, or financial advisor serious about the retirement plan marketplace, you MUST read this book, or you will be ill-equipped to deal with the fiduciary meltdown non-readers will be facing."
—John Lohr, ERISA attorney and author...

Saving for retirement is a difficult task, especially during these challenging economic times. Individuals who participate in their retirement plans are being charged billions in fees annually—and no one is looking out for their best interests—even though the laws say both plan sponsors and employers should be held responsible for acting in their employees’ best interests. The fact is that unless individuals are willing to stand-up and secure their financial future, they’re likely to face less money in their retirement plan accounts and have to work longer to accumulate the funds they need for retirement. In Stop the Retirement Rip-off, author David Loeper provides the necessary tools for readers to take action and make the most of their retirement plans. It offers a road map for employees to understand the fees and costs associated with their plans; as well as improve their standing within their company by proactively helping their employer to take needed action. The book features a non confrontational positive approach to bringing your retirement plan problems to the attention of your employer. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Stop the Retirement Rip-off provides readers with sensible strategies for making the most of their retirement funds, and will put them back in control of their financial future....

In 2006, the GDP for financial services was nearly $1.1 trillion. Total U.S. financial assets stood at $44 trillion in 2007, meaning that the financial services industry as a whole is skimming 2.5% a year out of everyone's wealth.

Some of these costs are obvious, like ATM fees, insurance premiums, mutual fund expense ratios, brokerage commissions or investment advisory fees. Some are hidden or at least require some extreme effort to discover. These costs have a supreme effect on personal wealth. For mutual funds, hedge funds, and stocks there are hidden costs such as managerial fees or marketing expenses that can cost investors at least 3-6% of their earnings. These dangers to investors are real, and Loeper sheds light on the oft unseen deceit of the financial services industry.

The emotional sales and marketing that victimize your wealth and lifestyle abound. Some of the most misleading of these marketing tactics even have the nerve (or lack of ethics?) to position their firm as being the objective, honest segments of the industry. The majority of investors are victims, of charlatans, smooth talking and good looking salespeople, or effective advertising and marketing designed to evade reality and prey on emotional desires.

This audiobook serves as an advocate of the consumer... to expose what insiders know about the side of the sales pitches that consumers don't, but need to hear. Stop the Investing Ripoff exposes questions every investor should ask during a financial sales pitch before they pull the trigger and buy the next book, magazine, mutual fund, or advisory service. It is based on David Loper's nearly 25 years of experience of seeing the inner workings of the industry....

Saving for retirement is a difficult task, especially during these challenging economic times. Individuals who participate in their retirement plans are being charged billions in fees annually-and no one is looking out for their best interests-even though the laws say both plan sponsors and employers should be held responsible for acting in their employees' best interests.

The fact is that unless individuals are willing to stand-up and secure their financial future, they're likely to face less money in their retirement plan accounts and have to work longer to accumulate the funds they need for retirement.

In Stop the Retirement Rip-off, author David Loeper provides the necessary tools for listeners to take action and make the most of their retirement plans. It offers a road map for employees to understand the fees and costs associated with their plans; document the excesses in a presentation to management; then organize themselves to protest and, if necessary, bring the documentation to the Labor Department in a complaint. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, Stop the Retirement Rip-off provides listeners with sensible strategies for making the most of their retirement funds, and will put them back in control of their financial future....