Category Archives: Retirement Plans

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 →

Most providers don’t stumble into fiduciary exposure intentionally. They do it by trying to be helpful. Answering “just one more question.” Suggesting a workaround. Coordinating between payroll and HR. None of this feels like fiduciary conduct in the moment. Over … Continue reading →

Plan sponsors are often surprised to learn that when their advisor, TPA, and recordkeeper disagree, the conflict doesn’t protect the plan sponsor—it exposes them. ERISA places fiduciary responsibility squarely on the employer. That means if one provider says something is … Continue reading →