Blog

Video - Building Turnover Resistant Benefits

Recruiting and retaining top employees is becoming more challenging. Employees want more than just perks; they want benefits that can help them create financial freedom, balance and recognition.

Cybersecurity: Protect Your Retirement Savings

Cybercriminals are well-aware that American’s have trillions of dollars in retirement savings plans. Here are key tips to help keep retirement savings safe online >>

Diversity Equity and Inclusion and its Impact on Retirement Plans

Your workforce is diverse and unique – how does your retirement plan reflect DEI efforts?

Plan Sponsor Guide to Understanding DOL Audits

A DOL Audit is no walk in the park, but you can take preventative steps to prepare by conducting due diligence and documenting your plan actions. The Complete Guide to a DOL Audit >>

2022 Compliance Calendar

Stay ahead of deadlines with help from our annual Compliance Calendar. If you have any questions about deadlines or information requested, please contact us to review today!

Do ESGs Fit Into Our Retirement Plan?

How to Prepare for a 401(k) Audit

If the DOL comes knocking, is your plan prepared for an audit? Be aware of red flags, how to respond and what documents to have ready.

Q1 2022 Newsletter: Fiduciary Plan Governance Edition

Get ahead of the curve: The most anticipated topics of 2022: Important information regarding audits, ESG funds and DEI in your workplace!

Video: Get to Know Your Retirement Plan Committee

If you think you’re alone in managing your 401(k) plan, think again! A Retirement Plan Committee is a dedicated group that manages investment options, oversees retirement plan administration and provides fiduciary oversight and...

Live your Best Life: Now and In Retirement

Americans are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy is now at 79 years old, and many employees will need to save enough to live 17+ years in retirement.1 How financially prepared are your employees to enter into this next...

Who’s on Your Retirement Plan Committee?

Retirement plan committees are super important; they set the direction and priorities of the company’s retirement plan. These actions (or inactions) can have a huge impact on how successful employees are at preparing for...

2022 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits

The new Retirement Plan Contribution Limits are official! The following limits are going up for 2022: Maximum contributions for 401(k), 403(b) and 547 increases to $20,500 The annual additions limit for defined contribution plans...

Year-End Wrap-Up: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Your Company's Retirement Plan

With Cycle 3 deadlines fast approaching, now is a great time to review your retirement plan. Measuring your retirement plan’s data provides key information to help increase its competitiveness, which can be extremely helpful in...

The Tale of Two Economies: Promoting Workplace Benefits in a K-Shaped Economy

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, there are signs of recovery in the U.S. Millions of vaccines have been administered, businesses and offices are reopening and life is starting to look more like it did pre-pandemic. All this...

You Can’t Talk About That at Work: Tackling Financial FAQs

Talking about money is tricky, especially at work. While it may seem too personal for work and easier to avoid the conversation, the effects can have a lasting effect on a company. More and more forward-thinking employers are starting...

Q4 Newsletter: Strategic Thinking Edition

As we begin to say goodbye to 2021, let’s look forward to the new year by addressing employee financial habits after COVID, how a K-shape economy is impacting your workplace and how your retirement plan committee plays an...

Video – 20 Questions to Benchmark Your Retirement Plan

When was the last time you reviewed your retirement plan - 5 years ago, 3 years ago? If it has been over a year, it may be time to benchmark your retirement plan, but it doesn’t have to be a chore this time around. After your...

Participant Infographic – Do You Want to Be Taxed Now or Later?

Your employees may have questions about one of the first decisions they will need to make – do they want to contribute to a Roth 401(k) or Traditional 401(k)? No matter how you slice it, taxes, income brackets and contribution...

2022 Deadline Nears: Now is the Perfect Time to Review Your Retirement Plan Design

For the millions of business owners that offer a workplace retirement plan, the COVID-19 pandemic created many financial difficulties. However, as the economic climate improves, there is an opportunity for employers to refresh their...

SEPs, MEPs and PEPs – Discover the Differences and Ideas for Your Workplace Retirement Plan

Just ask anyone: Uncle Sam and the retirement industry love acronyms. Another was added in December 2020—PEP—which conveniently rhymes with MEP and SEP. The three plan types are 401(k) cousins[1] meaning they share many...

CARES Act Deadlines: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know and Do

The CARES Act gave plan participants quick access to funds during the COVID crisis, although only about 6% of participants took advantage of the options offered.[1] However, as a plan sponsor you must understand your own obligations...

Newsletter - Measurement + Strategic Planning Edition

As the first half of the year phases out, it’s time to focus on measuring and begin strategic planning for your retirement plan. There’s a lot of new items on the agenda this year, from the CARES Act rules for repayment of...

Questionnaire: Do You Know the Different Types of Workplace Retirement Plans?

Help your employees save with a plan that fits your unique organization! Each type of retirement plan comes with its own set of features and tax advantage strategies for employees and employers. Knowing the different types of workplace...

Video: 12 Types of Financial Education Your Employees Need

Each of your employees is unique with their own individual lifestyle path. That said, your employees need guidance to make smarter decisions about their money so they can learn not only how to save today but how to build wealth for the...

3 Ways to Confront Your Financial Fears

30% of Americans don’t have a budget. In fact, 3 in 5 don’t know how much they spend last month, and the median household retirement account balance in America is $50,000.One if not all of these statistics could exist in your workplace...

Stop Retirement Savings Setbacks

The global pandemic has had a staggering effect on the economic lives of millions, driving them to actions that could have long-lasting effects on their retirement savings.Facing unprecedented strain caused by the COVID-19 crisis,...

A CFO's Guide to Financial Wellness

When employees are financially stressed, they spend three or more hours a week – approximately 150 hours per year – worrying about personal finances or dealing with them at work.[1]A financial wellness program is a soft benefit, so if...

A CFO's Guide to Financial Wellness

When employees are financially stressed, they spend three or more hours a week – approximately 150 hours per year – worrying about personal finances or dealing with them at work.[1]A financial wellness program is a soft benefit, so if...

Normalizing Retirement Savings Habits

Many American workers struggled financially before the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that this crisis could greatly hinder their ability to reach their retirement income goals.Indeed, more than three-quarters of...

5 Reasons to Rethink Financial Wellness

Employees are worried about their finances. They worry about them in the evenings, on weekends and during working hours. Plus, with the increased stress caused by the pandemic, it’s no secret your workforce could use some help.More...

Q2 2021 Newsletter: Financial Wellness Edition

We are excited to welcome Q2 with the theme of Financial Wellness! This quarter, we are going to touch on some important topics that impact your bottom line and the financial health of your employees.Read the NewsletterMATTHEW C....

Video: 4 Actions to Help Reduce Retirement Plan Litigation

Your company retirement plan should be a valued benefit, not an open door for lawsuits! How can you reduce your fiduciary liability, protect yourself and your participants? Here are four straightforward actions to take to help reduce...

Three Pillars of Wellness

As the seasons change, employees may need a check-up from their employers to make sure they are in good health! Wellness and self-care during the winter months are especially important. The mental, physical and financial wellness of...

The Importance of a Retirement Plan Committee & Annual Reviews

Retirement plans are complex and have many moving parts; as such, many plan sponsors create retirement plan committees to help keep them running smoothly. They may be called “investment” or “administrative”...

Annual Retirement Plan Checklist

As a plan sponsor, you are responsible for keeping your plan in compliance with government regulations. One of the important areas of compliance involves the many documents that are part of plan administration. These documents must be...

Think Green: Have You Considered 401(k) e-Disclosures?

Anyone who has received stacks of mailed booklets, leaflets or other paper 401(k) disclosure materials might be cheering about the Department of Labor’s (DOL) recent rule that expands employer options for delivering retirement...

ERISA Update: 5 Big Changes Plan Sponsors Need to Know

If navigating a worldwide pandemic weren’t enough, the world of employee benefits continues to throw curve balls at employers and plan sponsors who must constantly keep up. Below are 5 big changes that retirement plan...

Q1 2021 News and Information for Employers

Does fiduciary plan governance look different in 2021? Our quarterly newsletter touches on fiduciary plan governance topics to help you stay informed on what has changed or requires action this year: The Importance of a retirement plan...

2021 Compliance Calendar

Everyone loves the compliance deadlines that should be met every year. To help you stay ahead of the curve with important deadlines and filings, please find attached our complementary 2021 Compliance Calendar. If you have any questions...

Market Volatility: We’ve been here before.

Turbulent times can bring turbulent stock markets, leaving your employees worried! Market downturns, as we know, are a part of any investing life cycle and experts agree it is best to stay invested. Encouraging your participants to...

Seeking, Finding and Consolidating Your Accounts

The average person has 12 jobs during the course of their career.[1] That’s a lot of jobs — and a lot of 401(k) accounts! Around 25 million Americans have left money behind in an old 401(k) when leaving a job.[2] It’s...

Why it’s Important to Review, Refresh and Revise Retirement Plan Documents

You likely recognize the importance of seeing your doctor for an annual physical to keep your health in tip-top shape, or taking your car in for routine maintenance to keep it running like new. But what about checking the health of...

Missing Participants End of the Year Clean Up

As a plan fiduciary, you are responsible for your keeping track of former employees with account balances, a.k.a. missing participants. The DOL and IRS are paying more attention to plan sponsors’ efforts to identify and locate...

2021 Contribution Limits

The IRS has announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2020. For company retirement plans, the most recognized highlights include: The following...

Tracking Down Your Missing Participants

If you have terminated participants with balances in your 401(k) plan, some of whom you can’t locate, you’re not alone; missing participants are an industry-wide problem. What is a missing participant? A missing participant...

Staying the Course Through Volatile Markets

Turbulent times can bring turbulent markets. Many factors cause chaotic swings in the investing world including housing bubbles, political elections, international instability, and as we have seen recently, a global health pandemic....

News and Information for Employers Q4 2020

With 2021 approaching fast, it’s time to start thinking about end-of-year initiatives to thrive in the “new normal” and keep your company’s retirement plan on track. Our newsletter covers strategic topics such...

Video – 3 Fiduciary Action Items During Turbulent Times

COVID-19 has brought many updates, changes, and challenges, and we know the stress this can place on a plan sponsor. While things are constantly changing, one thing remains the same – your status as a fiduciary. Your...

Participant Infographic – Household Budgeting Worksheet

It is normal for working Americans to experience some form of financial hardship. When employees have proper financial wellness education, they can develop the mindset to see the long-term impact of their savings decisions. It all...

4 Qualified Plan Tax Advantages for Employers

By choosing to offer your employees a 401(k) plan, you’re sending a powerful message — that you’re invested in their future and committed to helping them work towards financial security in their retirement. As a...

Plan Sponsor Guide - 401(k) Matching Formulas that could Boost Participation without Breaking the Bu

Offering a retirement plan shows your employees that you are committed to helping them save for their future. A matching formula is a great way to give a little bit more to your employees and increase contributions! There are many...

Pros and Cons of Taking Coronavirus-Related Distributions from Retirement Savings

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly shaken our economy to the core. Many businesses have struggled to keep their doors open which has caused unemployment claims to soar. Record unemployment, coupled with a U.S. society that has an...

5 Ways Total Rewards Can Help Recruit Top Talent

A good total rewards program helps you attract and retain the best possible talent for your organization. Add a great workplace culture and environment and you could be on your way to becoming an employer of choice among job-seekers....

Q3 2020 News and Information for Employers

The first half of this year has been like nothing we have ever seen before --from record high employment to record unemployment, stimulus packages, the CARES Act, and of course the pandemic itself! As a plan sponsor, you have been...

Is your retirement plan getting the support it needs during this pandemic?

If you’re having difficulty with all of the changes and to-dos regarding COVID-19 and how you manage your plan, you’re not alone! Nearly half of plan sponsors say they are still deciding which CARES Act provisions to...

Video: American's Drowning in Debt - What Employers Can do to Help!

If your employees are drowning in debt, they could be looking to you, the employer, to throw them a lifeline! Luckily, there are a few ways to help your employees pay down debt so they can save a little bit more. How can you help?...

Employee Infographic: Savings Best Practices

We’ve all heard the golden rule of personal finance, “Pay yourself first.” It means putting money into savings before you do anything else. Your plan participants often need a light nudge to go the extra mile to save,...

5 Steps to Create a Financial Wellness Program

In today’s economy, Americans are worried about their finances, and it spills over into every aspect of their lives, even their work. Let’s look at this for a minute and you’ll see why having a financial wellness...

Employer Guide: How a Financial Wellness Program Can Improve Company Culture

Employers recognize that financial stress is taking a toll on their workforce — and their bottom line. Financial wellness can help improve employees’ fiscal well-being and reduce stress by providing the education and tools...

The Link Between Employee Productivity, Health, and Financial Stress

If you think financial wellness programs are a fad, think again. The industry consensus is that financial wellness not only produces results for employees, but it positively influences company bottom lines. That’s good news for a...

Four Ways to Help Reduce Financial Stress for Your Employees

Employee financial stress is a hot topic. So much so, that nearly 60% of employees cite finances as their primary stressor. [1] Their financial worries surpass other top stressors, and it’s impacting their job performance....

Q2 2020 News and Information for Employers

The link between stress and employee productivity is real. Experts estimate that it costs companies $500 billion or more per year due to “health costs, absenteeism and poor performance”. [1] And with finances being the...

Infographic: The CARES Act and its Impact on Retirement Plan

Coronavirus, COVID-19, CARES Act, these topics have without a doubt overtaken your media feeds and with a valid reason. However, in this time of turmoil, we wanted to take a moment to explain what some of this means in hopes of...

CARES Act Update: Changes Impacting Retirement Plans

Signed into effect on March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a robust economic stimulus package designed to help small business owners and hardworking American families during these unprecedented...

Coronavirus and Retirement Savings: Lessons to help mitigate long-term retirement savings mistakes

It’s easy to say “stay calm” but harder to actually walk the walk. Keeping emotions out of investment strategies can be challenging even on a normal day. Add a dose of a health pandemic, in this case the worldwide...

Video: 3 DOL Hot Buttons

DOL audits can be stressful, complicated and expensive! The best way to handle one is to avoid it in the first place. Through our experience, we’ve outlined three hot button issues that are major red flags for the DOL. Watch our...

Getting Your Ducks in a Row: Documents Adults Need

While we firmly believe life is meant to be lived, we also know that it’s important to have peace of mind in the event of an emergency. Your employees might be in the dark about the most important documents they would need if...

Keeping Your Plan Data Safe: 11 Cybersecurity Questions to Ask Your 401(k) Service Providers

Your plan data and private information are valuable, but unfortunately, cybersecurity is a critical but often overlooked aspect of a plan sponsor’s fiduciary responsibility. Given the risk of cyberattacks targeting plan data and...

2020 Compliance Calendar

Everyone loves the compliance deadlines that should be met every year. To help you stay ahead of the curve with important deadlines and filings, please find attached our complementary 2020 Compliance Calendar. If you have any questions...

Q1 2020 News and Information for Employers

The start of a new year is a great time to review your fiduciary governance process and confirm that your fiduciary priorities have been set. Preparing for the unexpected can be a delicate balancing act, but it is vital for the...

SECURE Act and What 401(k) Plan Sponsors Need to Know

*BREAKING NEWS* SECURE Act and What 401(k) Plan Sponsors Need to Know On 20 December, one of the largest changing legislative acts to impact America’s retirement system was signed into effect. The Setting Every Community Up for...

Q4 2019 News and Information for Employers

As we approach the New Year, we look at the future trends of the retirement plan industry to better support plan design, plan administration, participant outcomes, and fiduciary plan governance. Download and enjoy our quarterly Lift...

Q3 2019 News and Information for Employers

As we close the first half of 2019, we urge plan sponsors to spend a bit of time reflecting on Measurement and Strategic Planning for your retirement plans. Before you know it, you will be sending annual notices and making plan...

Q2 2019 News and Information for Employers

Financial wellness has many components that can affect and benefit your workplace. This quarter, our newsletter highlights three engaging topics with insights on the many ways you can incorporate financial wellness into your workplace...

Retirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics

Share Class ABCs: Choose Wisely Choosing mutual funds for your retirement plan’s investment lineup can feel like wading through a sea of alphabet soup. Fund companies typically offer multiple share classes, each sporting its own...

Four Tips to Boost Your Employees’ Retirement Outlook

Four Tips to Boost Your Employees’ Retirement Outlook As many employees look ahead to retirement, 47% of workers feel somewhat confident that they’ll have enough money saved to retire on time and then live comfortably.1...

Risky Business: Why Plan Governance Matters

Risky Business: Why Plan Governance Matters Participant-driven lawsuits are on the rise, and employers are facing heightened scrutiny of the way they manage their retirement plans. In today’s continually-evolving regulatory and...

Health Savings Accounts: Features Your Employees May Thank You For

For the majority of future retirees, medical expenses pose significant risk to any retirement plan, and they are only projected to rise. Medical cost estimates for couples throughout their full retirement, assuming both partners are 65...

The Financial Marathon

A Marathon for Everyone Recently, I went to cheer on a friend running in her first marathon. The excitement of watching thousands of people accomplish such an amazing goal was an experience like no other. I waited at the last bend...

A Guide for Employers Dealing with Missing Participants

Locating missing plan participants can be a headache for any employer, but simply ignoring them is not an effective solution. Regulatory agencies in previous years have published guidance on this topic relating to missing...

401K REFUNDS: NOT AS GOOD AS THEY SOUND

With tax season fresh on our minds, many hear the word refund and begin running down their imagery wish list of ways to spend this extra money. However, when it comes to 401(k) refunds, or corrective distributions, the excitement...

SHOULD WE HAVE A RETIREMENT PLAN COMMITTEE?

If you are an employer or employee who has decision-making authority over your company’s retirement plan, there is a strong chance that you are a 401(k) plan fiduciary. You have a legal obligation to operate the plan solely in...

BENCHMARKING YOUR 401(K) FUNDS

Benchmarking is a retirement plan best practice that allows plan sponsors the opportunity to “take a peak under the hood” of their 401(k). The process allows you to compare your plan to similar plans, measuring key metrics...

Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?

Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle? Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization...

Social Security: Two Benefit Strategies Eliminated

Social Security: Two Benefit Strategies Eliminated With the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, two strategies to potentially maximize Social Security benefit payments were eliminated. AN OVERVIEW Prior to the budget’s...