Monthly Archives: January 2026

Most plan sponsors don’t wake up thinking, “Let’s mismanage the 401(k) today.” Yet bad outcomes happen all the time — excessive fees, underperforming investments, compliance failures, and, eventually, fiduciary exposure. In my experience, the problem usually isn’t the plan. It’s … Continue reading →

If I walked into your office tomorrow and you handed me responsibility for your 401(k), I wouldn’t start by changing investments, firing vendors, or chasing the latest industry trend. I’d start with the basics — because that’s where most plans … Continue reading →

For years, plan providers survived on a simple premise: do solid work, keep clients happy, and the business will come. That world doesn’t exist anymore. Being “good at what you do” is now table stakes. Every recordkeeper claims strong technology. … Continue reading →

Every plan sponsor committee has one. The loudest person in the room. The one with the strongest opinions. The one who “has experience” — usually from a prior employer, a cousin’s plan, or something they once read on LinkedIn. And … Continue reading →

Every year brings incremental changes to retirement plans, but 2026 is different. This isn’t just about higher contribution limits. It’s about a fundamental shift in how catch-up contributions are taxed — one that will directly affect higher-income workers and quietly … Continue reading →

At some point, without much notice, 401kHelpCenter.com disappeared. No announcement. No farewell post. No “we’re shutting down” explanation. One day it was there — the next day it wasn’t. And that’s a shame, because it was one of the best … Continue reading →

When a retirement plan error surfaces, the first reaction is almost always the same: finger-pointing. The sponsor looks to the advisor. The advisor looks to the TPA. The TPA looks to the recordkeeper. And somewhere in the background, everyone is … Continue reading →

Most plan sponsors genuinely want to do the right thing. They offer a retirement plan because they care about employees, want to help people save, and believe they are acting responsibly. That instinct is admirable—but under ERISA, it is not … Continue reading →

Providers often believe that being helpful will protect them if something goes wrong. It feels intuitive: strong relationships, responsive service, and goodwill should count for something. In ERISA litigation, they usually don’t. Courts don’t evaluate intent, tone, or effort. They … Continue reading →

There is no denying it: sponsors are tired. SECURE 2.0 arrived in waves, and many employers are overwhelmed by rules that seem half-finished, delayed, or constantly “to be determined.” That fatigue is understandable. For providers, though, it’s dangerous. The temptation … Continue reading →