DOL Fiduciary Rule: Practical Implications for Insurance Carriers

---

Fred Reish

Fred Reish is an attorney whose practice focuses on fiduciary responsibility, prohibited transactions, conflicts of interest and plan qualification and operation. He has been recognized as one of the “Legends” of the retirement industry by both PLANADVISER and PLANSPONSOR magazines. Fred has received awards for: the 401(k) Industry’s Most Influential Person by 401kWire; the Institutional Investor and PLANSPONSOR magazine Lifetime Achievement Awards; one of RIABiz’s 10 most influential individuals in the 401(k) industry affecting RIAs; Investment Advisor’s 25 Most Influential People by ThinkAdvisor; the IRS Commissioner’s Award and District Director’s Award; the Eidson Founder’s Award by ASPPA; and the ASPPA/Morningstar 401(k) Leadership Award. He has also received the Arizona State University Alumni Service Award. Fred currently serves on the CFP Board’s Public Policy Council and is a member of the CFP Board’s Standards Resource Commission. He has written more than 350 articles and four books about retirement plans. Fred co-chaired the IRS Los Angeles Benefits Conference for 10 years and served as a founding Co-Chair of the NAPA 401(k) Summit. He is a Trustee of Arizona State University.

---

Jim Szostek

Jim Szostek is the Vice President of American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Taxes & Retirement Security department, having joined ACLI in January 2008. He helps guide ACLI policy on regulation and legislation affecting the retirement security of Americans and the business of its members. He has more than 28 years of experience consulting on tax and labor laws and rules applicable to employer sponsored retirement plans. He has testified before the Department of Labor as well as the IRS and Treasury at various hearings on rulemaking initiatives affecting retirement plans, including the DOL’s hearing on the fiduciary proposal and has participated in and led panel discussions on retirement policy issues. Prior to joining ACLI, Szostek held positions supporting the retirement business of CIGNA and The Hartford. He is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University where he earned degrees in economics and business.

---

Skip Edmonds

In 2020, Skip Edmonds joined LL Global to lead its Compliance and Regulatory Services program. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of LL Global’s Compliance and Regulatory Program. This includes product development, research, strategic networking, and the convening of member companies to resolve complex compliance and regulatory matters.  Edmonds also is responsible for leading the organization’s key strategic initiatives in the regulatory and compliance space, ensuring LL Global is positioned as a key resource for member companies.

With more than 25 years of experience, Edmonds has helped financial services companies strategically navigate the growing complexities in the regulatory space. Most recently, he held the position of chief compliance officer for Prudential’s Workplace Solutions Group, which is comprised of Prudential’s Retirement and  Group Insurance.  

Edmonds holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education, both from the University of Hartford. Edmonds also holds his Series 7 and 24 FINRA General Securities Principal registrations.