Products November 7, 2007

Groups Unveil Auto Enrollment Education Site

A coalition of business groups has unveiled a new Web site designed to educate human resource professionals and business executives about automatic 401(k)s and how to implement them.
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The www.RetirementMadeSimpler.org Web site features interactive tools and general information about 401(k) enrollment issues.

According to a news release, the site is particularly useful to small- and medium-sized employers. Its resources include tips on how to get started, the benefits of automatic enrollment, and real-world experiences from companies that have successfully made the switch.

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The Retirement Made Simpler coalition includes AARP, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Retirement Security Project (RSP).

“The Retirement Made Simpler coalition hopes that these positive employee experiences with automatic 401(k)s will be the catalyst employers need to implement these plans in their own companies,” said Mary Schapiro, FINRA’s Chief Executive Officer, in the news release. “AARP, FINRA, and RSP understand the needs of the consumer, the financial services industry, and the savings strategies that can help American workers achieve a secure retirement. We know automatic 401(k)s are a simple and effective way to build retirement savings, and we now know employees like them and want them, too.”

In addition to unveiling the Web site, the group also released the results of a survey of workers that found widespread support for auto enrollment 401(k) programs.

The Markets November 7, 2007

DWS Climate Change Fund Launched

DWS Scudder, the U.S. retail unit of Deutsche Bank’s Asset Management division (DeAM), on Wednesday announced the launch of the DWS Climate Change Fund.
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The fund is one of the first open-ended mutual funds that seek to invest in U.S. and foreign companies whose growth is supported by increased environmental regulation or are involved in both the mitigation of, and the adaptation to, climate change, the announcement said.

DWS Climate Change Fund invests in three major themes:

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  • Clean technologies, energy efficiency, and environmental management – includes alternative energy stocks, investments in biofuels, solar, wind, and other emerging technologies that will be essential in responding to the challenges of climate change.
  • Energy efficiency – includes companies that seek to mitigate the effects of rising energy prices through energy efficient products or technology, such as efficient insulation and lighting.
  • Environmental management or adaptation – includes companies whose products and services are targeted at dealing with damage to the environment that may already be done or irreversible, for example, waste management, reconstruction, and environmental consulting.

The fund’s portfolio managers have access to DeAM’s Climate Change Strategist, Mark Fulton and the Climate Change Investment Committee, which provides top-down views on global macro-economic and regulatory trends that are shaping climate change business opportunities around the world, the company said.

DWS Climate Change Fund is issued by DWS Scudder Distributors, Inc., and the fund’s asset manager is DeAM Americas. Class A, C, S, and Institutional shares will be offered through financial advisers and institutions.

“The realization that climate change is not merely a socio-political or moral issue but an economic issue as well is translating into a wave of interest in this type of investment strategy,” said Axel Schwarzer, Head of DeAM Americas and DWS Scudder, in the announcement.

DWS Scudder also launched a Web site dedicated to the subject of investing in climate change, www.dwsclimatechange.com.

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