How Does It Work?
A Department of Labor provision allows trade association to create a Group 401k Plan comprised of member 401k plans organized and administered as a single group plan. If an Group 401k Plan is set up well, members enjoy the benefits of bing part of a bigger 401k plan.
What Are the Benefits to Group Members?
Administrative Ease
- Companies who currently sponsor their own 401k plan or who have been reluctant to offer a 401k plan no longer need to do most of the administrative tasks typically required of 401k plan sponsors. These day-to-day repsonsibilities get shifted to the Group 401k Plan.
Cost Savings
- Administration, recordkeeping, advisory, and investment costs are spread across all adopting employers' plan assets. This combined purchasing power drives down costs.
- Larger employers (more than 100 eligible employees) no longer need to complete and pay for an annual audit.
Fiduciary Relief
- Adopting employers are relieved of many of their fiduciary duties.
Who Helps the Group Plan?
Third party vendors are hired to help administer their 401k plan correctly and to handle most of the day-to-day duties. Below are common vendors who provide support:
Plan Administrator Fiduciary
A Plan Administrator Fiduciary acts as a surrogate plan sponsor, typically taking care of the following tasks:
- Making sure the plan is in compliance
- Taking care of plan amendments and plan document restatement requirements
- Taking care of sending out required notifications and disclosures
- Authorizing and administering loans
- Taking care of distributions
- Preparing, signing, and filing the annual Form 5500
- Coordinating the annual audit
- Monitoring plan activities
- Monitoring contribution activity to make sure contributions are bing made in a timely manner
- Informing the association of any issues with adopting employers
Investment Fiduciary
The following fiduciary is hired to help with the plan's investments
- A"3(38)" Investment Fiduciary has the discretion to create and maintain the plan's investment menu. The plan sponsor gives up the ability to make investment decisions but is still responsible for overseeing the hired professional.
Service and Education Provider
A third party is hired to service the plan and provide in-person support:
- Plan design consulting
- Recommending and monitoring of service providers
- Fee benchmarking and oversight
- Liaison between the association and the 401k plan administrator and recordkeeper
- Liaison between the association and its members
- Participant enrollment
- Participant education
- Financial wellness and retirement planning support
- Local point of contact
Navigate Financial can help you explore the benefits of joining a group 401k plan!
Give us a call at 801-905-1644 to get started today!