Page 26 - NovDefComp
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In executing its responsibilities, the Committee will make decisions solely in the interest of Plan participants and
beneficiaries, for the exclusive purpose of providing Plan benefits and defraying reasonable administrative costs. All
investments selected by the Committee are intended to meet concepts of ERISA section 404(c) as a best practice.
Part V. MONITORING OF SERVICE PROVIDERS
Service providers should be monitored on a regular basis or more frequently if applicable. Administrative and/or
recordkeeping service providers may be benchmarked against, but not limited to, industry averages and/or other
provider quotes. Monitoring for these service providers should include, but not be limited to, the provider’s:
• Investment offerings and services
• Recordkeeping technology and services
• Compliance services and support
• Technology
• Participant access and communications
• Total Plan costs
The monitoring of the plan provider(s) is to ensure that total plan costs and services are competitive and reasonable.
Investment consultant service providers (plan and participant level) should be monitored regularly and should include,
but not be limited to, the provider’s:
• Investment Due Diligence processes
• Fiduciary guidance and services
• RPF/Benchmarking scope and services
• Technology
• Participant level access, communications and advice (if applicable)
• Cost
Part VI. SELECTION OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS
The selection of investment options offered under the Plan is among the Committee’s most important responsibilities.
Set forth below are the considerations and guidelines employed in fulfilling this fiduciary responsibility.
The Plan intends to provide an appropriate range of investment options that may span the risk/return spectrum.
Further, the Plan’s investment options are intended to allow Plan participants to construct portfolios consistent with
their unique individual circumstances, goals, time horizons and tolerance for risk. Major asset classes to be
considered may include, but are not limited to:
Conservative Investments
Cash and liquid investments including, but not limited to, money market, stable value, and guaranteed interest
accounts.
Income Investments
Income oriented investments including, but not limited to, low, medium, and high quality bond funds, with short,
intermediate, and/or long term duration. Management styles may be indexed and actively managed international,
global, and domestic styles.
Equity Investments
Funds that invest in equity securities, both domestic and foreign, including, but not limited to, small, medium, and large
market capitalization, with value, blend, and growth investment objectives, which may be actively managed or indexed.
Asset Allocation Investments
Funds or accounts that invest in a combination of conservative, income, and equity investments, “fund of funds” accounts
combining several of the above investments into one or a series of investments, and “manager of managers” accounts
combining several different investment styles and fund managers into one account or a series of accounts.
Other Investments
Other appropriate investments in other styles or asset classes offered through vehicles such as commingled trusts,
insurance Company separate accounts through a group annuity contract, and mutual funds. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may consider, but is not required, to include in the investment menu any specific investment
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