Brand new to the 401(k) marketplace as of January 1 2021, Pooled Employer Plans (commonly referred to as PEPs) are made possible thanks to the SECURE Act. PEPs allow unrelated employers to “pool” together, along with other employers (traditionally small businesses) in order to participate in a retirement plan for their employees. PEPs differ from… Continue reading →

Many business owners think about their 401(k) advisor as primarily focused on investment selection — which funds to buy and why, like a stockbroker might do. They tend to miss the rest of the iceberg under the water: administrative tasks, tax reporting, retirement planning, auditing and compliance, employee education and more. Aside from a few… Continue reading →

The pandemic year has a been a hard one for otherwise diligent savers and investors. Some of your employees may have opted to take out loans from their 401(k) plan to cover expenses. It’s important as a plan provider to educate your employees on the importance of staying current with 401(k) loan terms and, if… Continue reading →

Every year at tax time, your CPA goes over your company books, prepares your personal return and — after a few weeks of grinding — hands you something to sign. Ever think about what your signature means on a tax return? And on your business return? It means that you are filing your taxes, not… Continue reading →

Ask anyone with a 401(k) plan at work what they pay in fees and the answers may surprise you: Most people think they pay nothing at all. Even those who know that’s impossible undershoot by a surprisingly large margin, guessing “about 1%” in fees. The full truth is usually a shock: Many 401(k) savers pay… Continue reading →

Nobody opens a small business with the dream of being a part-time bookkeeper. Unless, of course, your business is bookkeeping! Same with tax-filing deadlines and the myriad legal and insurance issues that can pop up in any industry. You probably started your business because you love caring for your patients or building beautiful homes. Maybe… Continue reading →

Running a business is tough even in normal times, and 2020 was far from normal.  Nevertheless, over the coming months things should slowly return to at least semi-normal. The routine of making payroll and keeping the books will return, too. Probably the last thing on your mind is your 401(k) plan. The stock market is… Continue reading →

Most 401(k) plan sponsors are finishing out the year with an eye towards how they can drive improvements to their plans in 2021 and boost outcomes for plan participants. In that spirit, 401(k) Specialist Magazine has developed a list of three New Years Resolutions for 401(k) plan sponsors that includes the end of automatic cash-outs,… Continue reading →

At the start of 2020, Congress made it easier for small businesses to offer 401(k) retirement plans to their employees. That’s a relief. Participation in 401(k) plans is far too low. Just 60% of workers have access to a 401(k). Even then, only 42% of workers participate. The law, known as the SECURE Act, is… Continue reading →