Browse 48 providers in this category.
Provider ranking
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Ascensus, LLC
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.7
Dresher, PA
Credentials: Other
Stats: 147,067 clients • $315.0B under management • 3.8M participants
Company: Est. 1980 • 5,600 employees
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ADP Retirement Services
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.0
Roseland, NJ
Credentials: Other
Stats: 135,642 clients • $158.8B under management • 3.9M participants
Pricing: $325 base fee • $5/employee
Company: Est. 1949
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Paychex
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.8
Rochester, NY
Stats: 124,000 clients • $55.7B under management • 1.6M participants
Company: Est. 1971 • 15,000 employees
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Corebridge Financial
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.7
Houston, TX
Stats: 89,609 clients • $127.7B under management • 5.0M participants
Company: 2,000 employees
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Empower
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.3
Greenwood Village, CO
Stats: 80,895 clients • $1.8T under management • 16.7M participants
Company: Est. 2014 • 6,000 employees
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Voya Financial
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.5
New York City, NY
Stats: 65,135 clients • $729.0B under management • 5 participants
Company: 9,000 employees
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Guideline, Inc.
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 4.2
Burlingame, CA
Stats: 60,000 clients • $15.0B under management • 500K participants
Pricing: $39 base fee • $4/employee
Company: Est. 2015 • 350 employees
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John Hancock
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 1.9
Boston, MA
Stats: 54,358 clients • $253.0B under management • 200K participants
Company: Est. 1863 • 4,000 employees
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Gusto
Plan Administrator
Stats: 40,000 clients • $10.0B under management • 700K participants
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Human Interest
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 4.3 • Verified
San Francisco, CA
Credentials: RIA - Registered Investment Advisor
Stats: 40,000 clients • $8.1B under management • 793K participants
Pricing: $120 base fee • $5/employee
Company: Est. 2015 • 771 employees
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Fidelity Investments
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.4
Boston, MA
Stats: 37,255 clients • $4.4T under management • 44.2M participants
Pricing: $100 base fee • $8.33/employee
Company: Est. 1949 • 50,000 employees
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Aspire Financial Services
Plan Administrator
Tampa, FL
Credentials: CEFEX Certified • ASPPA
Stats: 28,000 clients • $31.0B under management • 850K participants
Company: Est. 2001 • 128 employees
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Equitable
Plan Administrator
New York, NY
Stats: 24,176 clients • $48.8B under management • 1.1M participants
Company: 5,000 employees
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Lincoln Financial Group
Plan Administrator
Radnor, PA
Stats: 21,200 clients • $116.4B under management • 1.6M participants
Company: Est. 1905 • 11,000 employees
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Capital Group
Plan Administrator
Los Angeles, CA
Stats: 19,753 clients • $81.4B under management • 3.1M participants
Company: Est. 1931 • 9,300 employees
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KTRADE
Plan Administrator
Plymouth, IN
Stats: 16,000 clients • $26M under management • 675K participants
Company: 35 employees
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Ubiquity Retirement + Savings
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 4.0
San Francisco, CA
Stats: 16,000 clients • $300M under management • 100K participants
Pricing: $177 base fee • $6/employee
Company: Est. 2000 • 90 employees
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PCS Retirement, LLC
Plan Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
Stats: 15,636 clients • $30.0B under management • 420K participants
Company: Est. 2001 • 359 employees
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Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.4
Columbus, OH
Stats: 15,241 clients • $235.8B under management • 2.1M participants
Company: Est. 1926 • 24,000 employees
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Vestwell
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 4.0
New York City, NY
Stats: 12,086 clients • $34.9B under management • 180K participants
Pricing: $39 base fee • $8/employee
Company: Est. 2016 • 350 employees
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Slavic401k
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.8
Boca Raton, FL
Stats: 12,000 clients • $10M under management • 250K participants
Company: Est. 1986 • 270 employees
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Principal Financial Group, Inc.
Plan Administrator • Pro Score 2.5
Des Moines, IA
Stats: 11,086 clients • $540.4B under management • 12.1M participants
Company: Est. 1879 • 20,000 employees
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Ameritas Retirement Plans
Plan Administrator
Lincoln, NE
Stats: 10,724 clients • $19.0B under management • 404K participants
Company: Est. 1887 • 690 employees
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TruStage
Plan Administrator
Madison, WI
Stats: 10,091 clients • $36.1B under management • 251K participants
Company: Est. 1935 • 3,000 employees
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Epic Retirement Plan Services
Plan Administrator
Rochester, NY
Stats: 9,500 clients • $37.0B under management • 400K participants
Company: Est. 1993 • 300 employees
Navigating the Complex Ecosystem of 401(k) Plan Providers
Selecting the right service providers for your company's retirement plan is one of the most critical decisions a plan sponsor can make. A robust 401(k) plan does more than just help employees save for the future; it serves as a vital tool for talent acquisition and retention. However, managing these plans requires a coordinated effort between several distinct professionals, each handling specific aspects of administration, investment management, and legal compliance. Whether you are launching a startup plan or restructuring an existing large-plan framework, understanding the specialized roles of these providers is essential for minimizing fiduciary liability and maximizing participant outcomes.
The Difference Between Recordkeepers, TPAs, and Advisors
Many plan sponsors confuse the roles of their service partners. While a recordkeeper tracks participant assets and issues statements, a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) typically handles the complex testing required to ensure the plan remains tax-qualified. However, the financial health of the plan often relies on qualified plan advisors. These financial professionals act as investment fiduciaries, helping sponsors build a diverse investment lineup and educating employees on their savings options. By leveraging an experienced advisor, companies can better monitor investment fees and performance, ensuring they meet their rigorous fiduciary duties under federal law.
Prioritizing ERISA Compliance and Audit Readiness
As your company grows, the regulatory scrutiny on your retirement plan increases. Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), plans with more than 100 eligible participants are generally required to file an audited Form 5500 annually. This is where specialized 401(k) auditors become indispensable. Unlike general corporate audits, a benefit plan audit requires specific expertise in Department of Labor regulations. Similarly, if your plan faces correction programs or complex amendments, engaging ERISA attorneys can protect your business from costly penalties and disqualification. These legal experts guide sponsors through Department of Labor investigations and help structure plan documents to withstand regulatory challenges.
Solutions for Small Businesses and Startups
For smaller organizations, the landscape is shifting rapidly due to legislation like the SECURE Act 2.0, which offers tax credits for starting new plans. Finding the right small business 401(k) solution often involves balancing cost efficiency with scalable technology. Modern providers now offer streamlined "Safe Harbor" plan designs that automatically satisfy non-discrimination testing, reducing the administrative burden on business owners. By utilizing our directory to compare providers by state and specialty, plan sponsors can build a team of experts tailored to their specific size, location, and compliance needs.