Category Archives: Retirement Plans

Conference Booths Don’t Close Business

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

We’ve all seen it. The branded tablecloth. The stress balls. The bowl of candy. The hopeful smiles. And then… nothing. Conferences don’t generate revenue. Relationships do. Too many providers treat conferences like fishing expeditions. Set up the booth, wait for … Continue reading →

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Your 401(k) Plan Isn’t “Fine.” It’s Just Quiet.

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

I can’t tell you how many times I hear this from plan sponsors: “The plan is fine. No one’s complaining.” Silence is not a fiduciary audit. Participants rarely complain about fees they don’t understand, investment lineups they didn’t choose, or … Continue reading →

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The Coverage Test Is Trying to Tell You Something

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

Recurring 410(b) failures are rarely random. When a plan consistently struggles with coverage testing, it’s not bad luck. It’s structural. Maybe the ownership group is highly compensated and aging while rank-and-file turnover is high. Maybe eligibility rules were designed for … Continue reading →

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Stop Trying to Sell — Start Solving Problems

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

Too many plan providers approach the retirement plan business like traditional salespeople. They focus on pitching services, promoting features, and explaining why their company is better than the competition. The problem is that plan sponsors aren’t looking for sales presentations. … Continue reading →

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Fiduciary Governance Is Like Changing the Oil in Your Car

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

Nobody brags about changing the oil in their car. It’s not exciting. It doesn’t generate applause. But skip it long enough, and the engine fails. Fiduciary governance works the same way. Most retirement plan failures don’t happen because of dramatic … Continue reading →

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Your Recordkeeper Is Not Your Fiduciary (Even If They Bring Bagels)

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

I like bagels as much as the next person. But breakfast meetings do not equal fiduciary protection. Plan sponsors often assume that because their recordkeeper provides education sessions, quarterly reports, and cheerful service reps, someone else is “handling the fiduciary … Continue reading →

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One of the biggest misconceptions plan sponsors have is that their 401(k) plan runs itself. Many employers believe that once they hire a recordkeeper and a TPA, the heavy lifting is done and the plan essentially goes on autopilot. Unfortunately, ERISA doesn’t work that way. A retirement plan requires active oversight, and the plan sponsor remains responsible no matter how many service providers are involved. Hiring good providers is important, but providers only work with the information they are given. If payroll data is wrong, eligibility dates are missed, or ownership information changes without being communicated, the plan will operate incorrectly. Service providers don’t sit inside your business watching your day-to-day operations. They rely on you. Fiduciary responsibility cannot be delegated away completely. Even when a sponsor hires a 3(21) or 3(38) investment advisor, the sponsor still has the duty to monitor those providers. That means reviewing fees, understanding services, and making sure the plan is operating according to its terms. Too many sponsors only think about their plan once a year when the census is due or the Form 5500 needs to be signed. A retirement plan deserves more attention than that. Regular review of eligibility, contributions, notices, and plan operations can prevent expensive corrections later. The truth is simple: a 401(k) plan that is left alone will eventually develop problems. The sponsors who avoid trouble are the ones who stay involved and ask questions. A well-run 401(k) plan is never on autopilot. It requires attention, oversight, and a sponsor who understands that responsibility ultimately rests with them.

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

Many employers view their 401(k) plan primarily as a tax deduction. The company makes contributions, deducts them on its tax return, and considers the job done. While the tax benefits are important, treating a retirement plan as just another deduction … Continue reading →

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Your 401(k) Plan Is Not on Autopilot

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

One of the biggest misconceptions plan sponsors have is that their 401(k) plan runs itself. Many employers believe that once they hire a recordkeeper and a TPA, the heavy lifting is done and the plan essentially goes on autopilot. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

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The DOL Wants Paper Statements Again

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

The Department of Labor has proposed new regulations updating ERISA electronic disclosure rules to implement the SECURE 2.0 requirement that participants receive periodic paper benefit statements. Under the proposal, defined contribution plans would be required to provide at least one … Continue reading →

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A New Retirement Plan for Workers Without 401(k)s

Posted on March 25, 2026 by admin

During the State of the Union address, President Trump floated a proposal to expand retirement coverage to millions of workers who currently have no access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. The idea is to create a government-backed retirement account modeled … Continue reading →

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