Category Archives: Retirement Plans

Years ago, I worked at a law firm that wasn’t a good fit for me. While I was there, I introduced a financial advisor to the firm’s most successful partner, who had a thriving tax certiorari practice. The partner hired … Continue reading →

Remember those old Roach Motel commercials? “Roaches check in…but they don’t check out.” For some employers, that’s exactly what it feels like with a PEO. Don’t get me wrong. I understand why businesses use Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs). They can … Continue reading →

Every retirement plan should have an annual meeting. Not the participant education meeting. Not the investment review. I’m talking about a meeting where the people responsible for administering the plan sit down and ask one simple question: “How are we … Continue reading →

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “It’s in our employee handbook.” That’s great. But if it conflicts with the retirement plan document, the handbook usually loses. Your employee handbook is an important HR tool. It … Continue reading →

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that finding an operational error means someone must have done a terrible job. That’s simply not true. Retirement plans are governed by thousands of pages of statutes, regulations, IRS guidance, and plan-specific … Continue reading →

If I had a dollar for every time a plan sponsor asked me a question that was already answered in their plan document, I’d probably have enough money to retire. The retirement plan document isn’t something you sign once and … Continue reading →

One thing I hate about social media is that the loudest voices are often the least interested in having an actual conversation. They’re not looking to exchange ideas or learn something new. They’re looking for clicks, comments, and outrage. That’s … Continue reading →

I’ve joked for years that I’m the turd in the punch bowl. I’m rarely afraid to say what I think, even when I know it won’t be popular. That’s not because I enjoy being contrarian. It’s because I’ve always believed … Continue reading →

When people ask me how to build a successful practice in the retirement plan business, they’re often looking for the magic answer. Is it social media? Conferences? Speaking engagements? Fancy marketing? Those things certainly help, but they aren’t what build … Continue reading →

Recent data shows that Americans’ 401(k) balances reached record levels in 2025. Average account balances climbed to nearly $168,000, while median balances increased to more than $44,000. At first glance, these numbers suggest that retirement savers are in excellent shape. … Continue reading →