Monthly Archives: October 2026

Most 401(k) plan problems do not start in a conference room. They start in payroll. The payroll department controls much of the information that determines whether the plan operates correctly. Compensation, deferral elections, eligibility dates, bonuses, overtime, commissions, ownership information, … Continue reading →

The retirement plan industry loves talking about the future. Artificial intelligence. Managed accounts. Financial wellness. Personalized participant experiences. Predictive analytics. Enhanced cybersecurity. Better mobile apps. There is always another product that is going to revolutionize the 401(k) plan. Meanwhile, the … Continue reading →

One of the most common things I hear when a retirement plan problem is discovered is, “Nobody told us.” The recordkeeper never mentioned it. The TPA never explained it. The adviser never brought it up. That may explain how the … Continue reading →

The retirement plan industry loves dashboards. Every few years, there is another portal, another app, another reporting tool, and another piece of technology that is supposed to transform the plan sponsor experience. The problem is that many plan sponsors aren’t … Continue reading →

Automation has made retirement plan administration faster and more efficient. Payroll files can be transmitted automatically. Contributions can be processed faster. Participant notices can be delivered electronically. Routine transactions can happen without anyone touching them. That is all good—until automation … Continue reading →

When people hear the words fiduciary breach, they tend to think about something dramatic. Maybe an investment scandal. Maybe excessive fees. Maybe somebody stealing plan assets. Most plan sponsor problems are a lot less exciting. They come from indifference. The … Continue reading →

If an employee is sending hundreds of dollars a month toward student loans, that money has to come from somewhere. Very often, it comes out of retirement savings. EBRI research has consistently shown that student debt can materially affect 401(k) … Continue reading →

One of the biggest mistakes I see plan providers make is believing that every prospect needs to become a client. They don’t. I’ve been running my own law practice since 2010, and one of the most important things I’ve learned … Continue reading →

Every plan provider wants to grow. More plans. More assets. More participants. More revenue. Growth is usually viewed as proof that you’re doing something right. The problem is that there is such a thing as growing too fast. I’ve seen … Continue reading →

I’ve been practicing ERISA law for a long time, and one thing that continues to amaze me is when a plan sponsor discovers a mistake that the plan provider should have caught. The plan sponsor shouldn’t be your quality-control department. … Continue reading →