We are an independent firm that offers comprehensive retirement plan advisory and investment management services to small plans that have traditionally been under-served (and significantly over-charged) by the retirement plan industry. This is how we provide value to you:
Custom-designed plans
Rather than selling you a plan, we will work with you to design the best plan for your specific situation, and we’ll assist with the selection and evaluation of other service providers, including Third Party Administrators, actuaries, record-keepers and custodians.
Minimizing asset-based and mutual fund fees
We work hard to minimize asset based (AUM) fees you pay because AUM fees take away your return without any added benefit, and they grow with the value of your assets. You can use this retirement plan cost calculator to compare the long term cost for proposals from various providers to see which one offers the best services for the lowest cost.
Using the best available plan service providers
We work with top notch Third Party Administrators and actuaries specifically selected because they offer high service quality and competitive fees, and we use record-keepers with an open architecture platform that allows us access to low cost index and passively managed funds.
Model portfolios and investment selection
Studies have shown that a small number of high quality investments work best, and professionally managed model portfolios will help plan participants achieve better investment results. We use primarily low cost index and passively managed funds, and our globally diversified model portfolios have an expense ratio that ranges from 0.13% to 0.15%. We are always on the lookout for better and/or lower costing investments, so when such investments become available we will proactively upgrade your investment lineup.
Individualized investor advice and education
We will make sure that your employees have access to the best advice available to help them with their investment management and retirement planning.
Working in our clients’ best interest
We do not get a penny from anybody to sell products – all of our recommendations are made with your best interest in mind. We are always looking for ways to help improve your plan and to save money by lowering plan costs.
Ongoing compliance support
Lack of qualified administrative and compliance oversight often leads to many problems with retirement plans, which can result in costly IRS/DOL audits and hefty fines. Whether you have an existing plan that has not been kept in compliance, or you have a complex situation that involves pooled 401k plans, self-directed brokerages, leased employees, controlled/affiliated groups or anything else that requires attention, our TPAs and ERISA attorneys will help you fix any outstanding issues with your plan and they will provide ongoing guidance and oversight to ensure that your plan is kept in compliance going forward.
Ongoing fiduciary support
Many plan sponsors don’t realize that plan participants have the right to sue them for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty by the plan sponsor. Breach of fiduciary duty can be caused by having high plan fees, investment losses incurred by plan participants and using a broker or a non-fiduciary adviser instead of an independent ERISA 3(38) fiduciary to provide services to the plan. As an ERISA 3(38) fiduciary, we provide many important fiduciary services to your plan to help you limit your fiduciary liability and improve participant outcomes.
We do not charge asset-based fees
Nearly everyone in the retirement plan industry charges fees based on percentage of assets. Our fees are flat and are not asset-based. This alone will save you significant amount of money over the long term.
Please see our FAQ page for more information about retirement plans, selecting the best plan providers, fiduciary responsibility and advice, retirement plan fees and investment philosophy.