Legal

Markets rise and fall. We know that. But do we need a better argument for closer regulation of self-directed brokerage accounts in 401(k)s than the decline in the Dow over the past month?

Miss any of the action at the Center for Due Diligence conference in San Antonio, Texas? Here are some of the big headlines.

The DOL conducted more than 3,600 audits of qualified retirement plans last year. Settlements related to violations totaled $1.7 billion in plan reimbursements and fines.

Some of the same plaintiffs' firms behind the biggest 401(k) lawsuits are now getting creative and more sophisticated, and returning to courtrooms with new allegations that will take more time and money to defend.

While consumer advocates favor a stricter approach which would compel brokers to act in a clients best interest much of the financial lobby is dead-set against them.

The median fees on plans for 2014 were .52 percent, or 52 cents paid for every $100 of plan assets.