“Defined Benefit Plans: Explained in Plain English” Summary: Most people are familiar with 401(k) plans and profit sharing plans; however, plans like these account for only 60% of qualified retirement plan assets. The remaining 40% is found within defined benefit plans,…

When a plan permits participant-directed accounts for all or a portion of the plan’s assets, it is not uncommon for that plan to offer a set of “designated investment alternatives (“DIA’s”).  This set of DIA’s represents a menu of choices…

With limited exceptions (e.g., SIMPLE IRA and SEP arrangements), retirement plans covered by ERISA must file Form 5500-series returns annually.  Filings are due the last day of the 7th month after the plan year end, but may be extended for…

Most qualified retirement plans that are considered ‘Large Plans’ (generally plans that cover 100 or more participants as of the beginning of the plan year) are required to engage an independent qualified public accountant (IQPA) to audit the plan’s books…

Sometimes we get in the weeds, surrounded by IRS, DOL and PBGC regulations, and lose sight of the plan provisions. Your plan document is the first set of instructions that you must follow to keep your qualified plan in compliance. …

Much public discussion is occurring about fees paid by participants in employer sponsored qualified retirement plans.  Plan fiduciaries must, among other things, ensure that fees levied from plan assets are reasonable with respect to necessary services received.  To assist plan…

  Early in the development of our TPA practice, I felt it was important that we build a team to serve our clients.  That team approach still exists today, and has proved to be very beneficial not only in serving…

A few weeks ago, our firm held our annual management retreat.  Every year around this time, we fill a room with nearly 30 passionate leaders (senior managers and partners from our firm and our parent firm) and determine what we…