Guides, comparisons, and analysis on 401(k) providers, ERISA compliance, plan audits, and retirement plan benchmarking.
We’re excited to launch our free Form 5500 search tool and plan health reports—built to help plan sponsors and providers learn from public filings. Quickly find plans, review key metrics, and spot potential opportunities to improve plan outcomes and reduce compliance risk.
Form 5500-EZ is the annual return many one-participant retirement plans must file once assets hit certain thresholds. Here’s what it is, who files it, and a practical step-by-step filing checklist for solo 401(k) plan administrators.
Financial stress shows up at work—missed shifts, lower productivity, and higher turnover. Here are five leading financial wellness benefit platforms employers compare, plus a practical checklist for choosing the right fit.
Most Solo 401(k) plans do not need an audit—but there are important conditions. Here’s what the DOL audit rules say, how “participant” is counted, and what Solo K owners should still file and monitor.
Employers often ask whether participants can buy individual stocks in a 401(k). The short answer is “sometimes”—usually through a self-directed brokerage account (SDBA)—but offering it comes with fiduciary considerations, added fees, and administrative complexity.
ETFs can be used in some 401(k) plans, but most employers don’t need them to build a strong, low-cost lineup. Here’s when ETFs may make sense—and why mutual funds or CITs are often the better fit.
Stable value funds can offer smoother returns than money market funds and often higher yields—without the day-to-day volatility of bonds. But they come with real tradeoffs, including portability limits and exit restrictions that plan sponsors should understand before adding them.
Interest in crypto in a 401(k) keeps growing—but so do the fiduciary and compliance questions for plan sponsors. Here’s how to evaluate crypto requests, manage participant risk, and consider alternatives that may better fit a prudent process.
The Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC) is a key professional resource focused on improving the quality of employee benefit plan audits. Here’s what it is, why it matters to plan sponsors, and how it can influence your auditor selection.
ERISA litigators have a short list of “can’t-miss” conferences for case law updates, strategy, and networking. Here’s a practical guide to major ERISA litigation conferences, what they cover, and how to budget and plan.
If your plan is hovering around 100 participants, the 80-120 participant rule can determine whether you file as a small or large plan—and whether an audit is required. Here’s how the rule works, what counts as a participant, and how to avoid common Form 5500 mistakes.
Most 401(k) plans must carry an ERISA fidelity bond to protect the plan from losses caused by fraud or dishonesty. Here’s how the bonding rules work, how to calculate the right coverage amount, and how to purchase a bond without overpaying or missing a requirement.
A Solo 401(k) can be one of the most powerful retirement plans for self-employed owners with no employees. Learn how it works, who qualifies, and what to consider before opening one.
Profit sharing plans can be a flexible way to reward employees while helping your business save for retirement. Learn what a profit sharing plan is, how it works, and how to choose the right provider for your company.
Choosing between a SIMPLE IRA and a 401(k) can shape your budget, recruiting, and long-term retirement outcomes. Here’s a practical comparison of costs, contribution rules, and compliance responsibilities for small business owners.
401(k) benchmarking helps plan sponsors confirm their plan’s fees and services are reasonable for what participants receive. This guide explains what benchmarking is, how to do an apples-to-apples comparison, and who can help—an advisor, recordkeeper, or other specialists.
Limited scope 103(a)(3)(C) plan audits can reduce audit procedures when certain plan investments are certified by a qualifying institution. This guide explains how they work, who qualifies, what auditors still test, and how plan sponsors can prepare for a clean Form 5500 filing.
A cash balance plan can allow business owners and key employees to save far more than a 401(k) alone—while still offering a retirement benefit to staff. Here are the cash balance plan basics, including how it works, who qualifies, and how to hire the right provider and advisor.
As a plan sponsor, managing your company’s retirement benefit is a complex responsibility. You are tasked with monitoring investment performance, ensuring fees are reasonable, and keeping the plan compliant with federal regulations. For many HR teams and business owners, handling these duties alone…
If you manage a retirement plan, the Form 5500 is one of the most critical documents you will handle all year. Often described as the "tax return" for employee benefit plans, this annual report provides the federal government with a snapshot of your plan's financial condition, investments, and oper…
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have strict protocols for these filings. Understanding the financial risks involved—ranging from daily fines to potential plan disqualification—is essential for every plan administrator.
Understanding the "who, what, and when" of plan audits is critical to maintaining a compliant plan and avoiding costly penalties
Preparation is the single biggest factor in a smooth audit. Knowing exactly what documents are required—and more importantly, where to locate them—can turn a potential headache into a manageable checklist.
Controlled group rules can make separate businesses “one employer” for 401(k) purposes—impacting eligibility, testing, and contributions. Here’s how to spot controlled group risk and when to get legal help.
Choosing between a DCPP and a Group RRSP can shape your total rewards strategy for years. This guide breaks down how each plan works, the compliance tradeoffs, and what employers should consider before deciding.
A limited scope 401(k) audit can reduce the amount of testing your auditor performs—but it doesn’t reduce your fiduciary responsibility. Here’s what “limited scope” really means, when it applies, and how it compares to a full-scope audit.
Choosing the right plan advisor conference can improve your plan governance, vendor management, and compliance oversight. Here’s a practical guide to major NAPA, SPARK, and PLANADVISER events—what they cover, when they typically happen, and what they tend to cost.
The honest answer is “it depends,” but you can still budget with confidence if you understand the main fee categories and what typical pricing looks like for small, mid-sized, and larger plans.
Plan auditor conferences are one of the best ways to stay current on employee benefit plan (EBP) audit standards, Form 5500 changes, and DOL expectations. Here are leading conferences (including NAPA) that plan auditors commonly attend—plus how plan sponsors can benefit from an auditor who invests…
Choosing the right certification can help a 401(k) advisor stand out, build credibility with plan sponsors, and deepen retirement plan expertise. Here are the most respected designations—what they cover, what they cost, how long they take, and how hard they are to earn.
Former employees lose track of old 401(k) accounts all the time—especially after job changes, mergers, or moves. This guide walks through practical steps to locate a missing 401(k), including what to do if it was automatically rolled into an IRA.
Hiring the right ERISA attorney can help you avoid costly compliance mistakes and respond confidently to audits, corrections, and plan changes. This guide explains when you need ERISA counsel, where to look, and what questions to ask before you sign an engagement letter.
A 401(k) audit can be one of the biggest annual compliance line items for growing plans. Here’s what 401(k) audit costs typically look like today, why pricing varies so widely, and how to budget confidently.
SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs are two popular retirement plan options for small businesses—but they work very differently. This guide compares eligibility, contributions, deadlines, and administrative responsibilities so you can choose confidently.
Collective investment trusts (CITs) have become a go-to investment vehicle in many retirement plans because they can offer institutional pricing and operational flexibility. This guide explains what a CIT is, how it differs from mutual funds, and ranks many of the largest CIT trust companies plan s…
Controlled group status can change how your retirement plan must be run—especially for eligibility, compliance testing, and audit requirements. Here’s how to identify a controlled group and which major recordkeepers can support these plan designs.
Terminating a retirement plan doesn’t automatically end your Form 5500 responsibilities. This guide explains what plan sponsors need to file, when the final Form 5500 is due, and how to avoid common termination pitfalls—especially when a business is shutting down.
Strong 401(k) participant education can boost plan engagement, improve deferral rates, and reduce confusion at key decision points. This guide shows plan sponsors how to use recordkeeper education meetings and plan advisors for more personalized support—while staying on the right side of ERISA rule…
A practical guide to how 401(k) advisors charge, what fee levels are common, and why certain services (like 3(38) investment management) often cost more.
A strong 401(k) lineup is one of the most important decisions a plan sponsor makes—and one of the most scrutinized. Here’s how investment options get selected, what vehicles can be included, and how 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary support can reduce risk and improve outcomes.
A 401(k) can help startups compete for talent and give founders a tax-advantaged way to save. Here’s how to choose the right design, set it up, and stay compliant as you grow.
An ERISA budget account can help a retirement plan capture and track revenue sharing and use it to pay appropriate plan expenses. Here’s how these accounts work, what you can pay from them, and the compliance pitfalls to avoid.
PEPs and MEPs let multiple employers band together in one retirement plan. This guide explains how they work, why employers choose them, common drawbacks, and what doesn’t go away—like Form 5500 responsibilities and potential audit requirements.
Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) can simplify retirement plan administration, but they don’t eliminate audit and Form 5500 responsibilities. Here’s how PEP audits work, who sponsors and oversees them, and what to expect from PEP-capable audit firms.
A financial advisor for small business can help you improve benefits, reduce fiduciary risk, and plan for growth. This guide explains core services—especially 401(k) plan advising (3(21) and 3(38))—plus owner-focused planning like tax strategies and M&A exit planning.
A market value adjustment (MVA) can change the value of stable value or guaranteed products when money leaves under certain conditions. Here’s what MVAs mean in a 401(k), how plans end up with them, and what plan sponsors and participants should watch for.
Choosing between a 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary is one of the most important decisions a plan sponsor can make. Here’s how “do it with you” differs from “do it for you,” and what liability still stays with the employer.
Managing an employee benefit plan involves navigating a complex web of Department of Labor (DOL) regulations.
ERISA bonds and fiduciary insurance sound similar, but they protect against different risks—and one is often required by law. Here’s how they work, what they cover, and how to decide what your plan needs.
Switching 401(k) recordkeepers can improve service, reduce fees, and modernize your plan—but only if the transition is managed carefully. This guide walks plan sponsors through when to change, how to run a clean conversion, and what to watch for on compliance and participant experience.