Browse 20+ providers in this category.
Featured Providers
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Cary Street Partners - Richmond, VA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Founded in 2002, Cary Street Partners is a registered investment advisor with a large footprint across the Mid-Atlantic, the Carolinas, Texas, Tenn... -
Blue Rock Financial Group - Wilmington, DE
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Founded in 2012, Blue Rock Financial Group is a fee-based Registered Investment Advisor with offices in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, serving plan... -
Blueprint Financial Advisors - Charlotte, NC
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Planning work comes first at this fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, which does not take on investment management until a financial planning p... -
Heacock & Jones Financial Services, Inc. - Dubuque, IA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Founded in 2000 in Dubuque on the Iowa–Illinois–Wisconsin tri-state, Heacock & Jones Financial Services, Inc. is a fee-only Registered Investme... -
Capital Advisers, Inc.
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Independent and objective wealth management is the focus at this Raleigh firm, which works with individuals, families, and institutional clients ac... -
Carbon Collective Investing LLC - Oakland, CA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>From its Oakland headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area, Carbon Collective Investing LLC is a registered investment advisor with a climate-focu... -
Mendel Capital Management, LLC - Little Rock, AR
Retirement Plan Advisor
Mendel Capital Management, LLC is a fee-only investment advisory firm based in Little Rock, AR, dedicated to serving the investment needs of multi-gen... -
Hfg Advisors, Inc. - Kalamazoo, MI
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Founded in 1987, HFG Advisors, Inc. works with plan sponsors and individuals who want clear, practical planning and fiduciary support. The firm is ... -
Hibernia Wealth Partners, LLC - Baton Rouge, LA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>From its Baton Rouge headquarters, Hibernia Wealth Partners works with clients across the Gulf Coast and has additional offices in the Dallas–Fort ... -
Mcallister Capital Management - Jackson, MS
Retirement Plan Advisor
McAllister Capital Management, established in 1995 by Lyle L. McAllister, Jr., is a registered investment advisory firm based in Jackson, MS. Speciali... -
Stonebridge Financial Group - Wormleysburg, PA
Retirement Plan Advisor
Stonebridge Financial Group is a prominent financial advisory firm with extensive experience in Central Pennsylvania and offices in Wormleysburg and L... -
Mccay Wealth Advisory LLC - Manchester, TN
Retirement Plan Advisor
McCay Wealth Advisory LLC is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm based in Manchester, TN, with an additional office in McMinnville, TN... -
Marmo Financial Group, LLC - Johnson City, TN
Retirement Plan Advisor
Marmo Financial Group, LLC is an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) based in Johnson City, TN, dedicated to "Improving Our Clients' Posit... -
Francis LLC - Brookfield, WI
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Known for its “Work-Life-Money Balance” approach, Francis LLC focuses on conflict-free retirement plan consulting and workplace financial wellness.... -
Venture Visionary Partners - Sylvania, OH
Retirement Plan Advisor
Venture Visionary Partners is an SEC registered investment advisory firm with offices in Sylvania, OH and Bonita Springs, FL. Founded by Craig D. Find... -
Becker Suffern McLanahan, Ltd. - Mandeville, LA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Four-person BSM Wealth advises retirement plans and private clients from Mandeville on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in the New Orleans met... -
Lynch & Associates - Newburgh, IN
Retirement Plan Advisor
Lynch & Associates is a registered investment advisor (RIA) based in Newburgh, Indiana, with a focus on providing comprehensive financial advisory ser... -
Delta Financial Advisors, L.l.c. - New Orleans, LA
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>From its base in the New Orleans metro area, Delta Financial Advisors, L.L.C. works with individuals and families on investment counseling and long... -
Avenir Corporation
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Discount-to-intrinsic-value investing is the anchor of Avenir Corporation’s work, drawing on the long-term, margin-of-safety approach associated wi... -
Horan Capital Advisors, LLC - Cincinnati, OH
Retirement Plan Advisor
<p>Founded in 2010, Horan Capital Advisors, LLC is a registered investment advisor with $0.6B in AUM (2026) and offices in the Cincinnati metro area, ...
Why Your Business Needs a Specialized Retirement Plan Advisor
Managing a 401(k) plan involves significant legal and financial responsibilities that go far beyond simple administrative tasks. While many generalist financial advisors may offer to manage a company retirement plan, specialized 401(k) plan advisors bring a distinct set of skills necessary for navigating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). A qualified advisor serves as a buffer between the plan sponsor and regulatory liability, ensuring that the investment lineup is prudent, fees are reasonable, and the plan remains compliant with Department of Labor regulations. By partnering with a dedicated specialist, business owners can focus on their core operations while ensuring their employees have a robust vehicle for retirement savings.
3(21) vs. 3(38) Fiduciaries: Understanding the Difference
One of the most critical decisions a plan sponsor must make is determining the level of liability they wish to delegate. This is often defined by the type of fiduciary status the advisor assumes:
- ERISA 3(21) Co-Fiduciary: Under this arrangement, the advisor provides investment recommendations and research, but the plan sponsor retains the final authority—and ultimately the liability—for accepting or rejecting those recommendations. This is a partnership model where the advisor "helps" you decide.
- ERISA 3(38) Investment Manager: A 3(38) advisor assumes full discretion and control over the investment selection and monitoring. In this scenario, the plan sponsor effectively delegates the investment liability to the advisor. For sponsors looking to minimize their fiduciary risk exposure, hiring a 3(38) manager is often the preferred strategy.
Investment Policy Statements and Fee Benchmarking
A primary role of a plan advisor is to help the investment committee draft and maintain an Investment Policy Statement (IPS). This governing document outlines how plan assets are selected, monitored, and replaced. Without a solid IPS, plan sponsors are vulnerable during audits or legal challenges. Furthermore, advisors are instrumental in fee benchmarking. They review the 408(b)(2) fee disclosures to ensure that the costs charged by recordkeepers and 401(k) auditors are reasonable relative to the services provided. If fees are found to be excessive, a proactive advisor will negotiate with vendors or lead a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to find better pricing.
Coordinating with Legal and Compliance Teams
Great advisors do not work in a silo; they coordinate with other service providers to ensure holistic plan health. For example, if a plan requires a complex redesign to pass non-discrimination testing, the advisor often collaborates with ERISA attorneys to ensure the new plan document meets all legal standards. Whether you are running a startup plan or a large corporate plan with millions in assets, selecting the right advisor is the cornerstone of a successful retirement plan strategy.