Employer Retirement Plan Investment Consulting Services
"Making Your Best Practices Better"
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING – Independent and Objective
We understand the responsibility you have in your role as Trustee to a retirement plan.
Under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, we have a fiduciary duty to provide independent and objective advice and disclose any material conflicts of interest. As a fiduciary to your plan we provide consulting services which include: assisting in determining the plan’s investment objectives and restrictions, designing the investment policy statement, selecting mutual fund options, monitoring performance, and the selection of other plan service providers.
In summary, we believe in providing an “open architecture” platform to retirement plan fiduciaries using a prudent and documented process. This approach will result in a transparent and cost-effective plan.
FEES – Full Disclosure
Many plan sponsors find it difficult to determine all of the fees they are paying for their retirement plan, not to mention trying to determine if an investment advisor might have a conflict-of-interest. Our approach to investment advice and plan administrator searches provides the plan fiduciary with full disclosure of plan expenses and will highlight any potential conflicts of interest.
We are independent fee-only advisors who can only be paid directly by our clients. We have no fee-sharing arrangements with any providers we recommend to our clients. We accept no 12(b)-1 fees, no sub-transfer agency fees, no fees from any custodians or third party administrators.
Our fee is based on a percentage of plan assets which can be paid by the Plan Sponsor or divided between Administration and Participant accounts based upon your preference.
FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY – Process and Documentation
Meeting your fiduciary responsibilities can be a daunting task. The Department of Labor (DOL) rules are clear on one thing:
“Fiduciaries who do not follow the basic standards of conduct may be personally liable to restore any losses to the plan, or to restore any profits made through improper use of the plan’s assets resulting from their actions.”
(http://www.dol.gov/elaws/ebsa/fiduciary/q4c.htm).
Our firm will work with you to develop an independent process of documentation that helps meet the recommendations of the DOL. Documentation of plan activities is critical in demonstrating that you are meeting your fiduciary responsibility. We have developed a “Fiduciary Workbook” to assist our 401(k) clients to document the policies and procedures governing their company’s retirement plan. This workbook may include:
- Compliance Checklists
- Investment Policy Statement
- Comprehensive Investment Analysis and Review
- Detailed current and proposed plan investment analysis
- Quarterly performance review analysis and related communications
- Fee Disclosures
PLAN DESIGN – Independent Guidance
Each plan sponsor has specific design needs for their retirement plan. We believe independence and objectivity are of utmost importance when developing a plan that is comprehensive, flexible, and cost effective. As part of the plan design we can assist with the selection and analysis of a Plan Administrator. Once in place, Integer will work with the Plan Administrator to coordinate plan set-up or transfer, including fund selection, review and analysis, as well as fund-mapping.
- Initial Needs Analysis
- Request for Proposal design and review
- Executive Summary
- Detailed Cost Analysis
INVESTMENT OPTIONS – No Proprietary Investment Products
Plan sponsors and participants want to invest with confidence. They want a broad choice of quality funds with access to numerous fund families with no proprietary fund requirements. Our philosophy with all our clients is to advise, guide and protect their financial interests. We believe that our open architecture approach provides the best solutions for both the employer and its employees; with the peace-of-mind that comes from working with independent and objective fee based investment advisor that offers no proprietary investment products.
EDUCATION – Informed Employees Make Better Decisions
A retirement plan is only successful if participants understand its value – and use it. You and your participants need timely information to make the right decisions to help reach your retirement goals. We work with the Administrator who will provide enrollment books, website access and other tools to help employees make informed choices. We can provide you with additional educational material in a PDF version to post on your firm’s website or that the Administrator can post on the 401(k) portal.
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