Creating a successful 401(k) plan doesn’t happen by chance. It requires thoughtful planning with continued refinements, as the market, and your business needs change. We offer services aiming to help companies minimize costs and improve plan performance.
As an advisor, we provide specialized services often not available through a plan administrator or mutual fund company. So even if your company has a vendor to manage your plan, you’re not likely to be getting the benefit of:
- Plan Design & Analysis – An independent review of your plan and investments, with recommended strategies designed with the goal of improving your plan’s performance
- Cost Reduction – Companies we work with typically benefit from annual savings on plan expenses
- Fiduciary Protection – We advise on risk mitigation to ensure your plan is protected and meets ERISA standards
Contact us for a complimentary analysis of your 401(k) plan.
Contact us for a complimentary analysis of your 401(k) plan.
Program Analysis
Our personal approach involves a careful review of your existing programs and documents, including identifying your plan fiduciaries, reviewing fees paid by the company and participants, and development of plan goals. We also conduct an ongoing review of your plan and monitor your investments throughout the year.
Benchmarking and Cost Control
We create competitive, cost-effective 401(k) plans and retirement programs always striving to help your company save money and make more informed investment decisions.
Vendor and Plan Evaluation
Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors is not affiliated with any fund providers or vendors, which means that clients receive unbiased information and investment choices. Our independent status also means we do not receive additional commissions or other fees for recommending particular investments. Our clients can choose from almost any investment option.
Plan Design
We work with our clients to create a well-balanced portfolio aiming to meet your company’s and employee’s goals and objectives. We offer recommendations on ‘best practice’ investment strategies and individual investment options, and work to incorporate new ideas or opportunities as they arise. Our team will assist you in executing these changes and streamline tasks that take valuable time and extra resources.
Guidance
Our team uses an objective, defined approach to creating corporate retirement plans. We believe in collaborating with our clients so they have the proper knowledge and tools to make more informed decisions.
Our clients rely on us to take care of issues or concerns that arise around their retirement plan. Our team is accessible by phone, email or in-person to address questions or concerns. We attend all trustee and committee meetings and by request, board meetings, to provide market perspective and insight, and offer assistance with fiduciary obligations.
Investment Advice, Monitoring, and Due Diligence
We believe that retirement plans are continually evolving; from new regulations, best practices and, expectations from plan participants. Monitoring the plan and the investments and, performing ongoing due diligence is the best way to maintain a healthy, competitive retirement plan.
Focus on Employee Outcomes
A successful plan requires employee participation and support. That’s why we work with your administrative vendor to design a communication and education program to address the goals and objectives of your employees.
These programs may include webinars, “lunch and learn” session, targeted print materials and online resources. Clients tell us this is the best way for them to build support and confidence in saving for retirement.
Protection / Fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA
Keeping abreast of your fiduciary obligations can be a challenge. Even if you have a third- party vendor managing your paperwork, the responsibility for meeting your compliance obligations is yours. That’s a high-risk proposition for professionals with multiple job demands combined with ever-changing fiduciary guidelines. Working with an independent advisor aiming to help protect your plan assets can reduce stress and worry.
To learn more about your Fiduciary Responsibilities, review our checklist.
Fiduciary Best Practices
We work with our clients to create a well-balanced portfolio that meets your company’s and employees needs. We offer recommendations on ‘best practice’ investment strategies and individual investment options, and work to incorporate new ideas or opportunities as they arise. Our team will assist you in executing these changes and streamline tasks that take valuable time and extra resources.
Governance Programs: Operational and Fiduciary
As a fiduciary for your plan, Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors can offer information to help you keep your plan in full ERISA compliance and lead you through complex regulatory requirements that can impact your plan – in a way that’s easy to understand. We’ll even assist your fiduciary committee in incorporating ‘best practices’ in general.
Fiduciary Education
Keeping abreast of your fiduciary obligations can be a challenge. Even if you have a third-party vendor managing your paperwork, the responsibility for meeting your compliance obligations is yours. That’s a high-risk proposition for professionals with multiple job demands combined with ever-changing fiduciary guidelines.
Process
Many companies with 401(k) plans hire a third-party plan administrator to manage their plan, but these firms typically provide administrative and recordkeeping services only.
Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors looks after the health of your 401(k) plan by working toward helping to reduce plan costs, identifying ways to potentially improve investment performance, and providing critical fiduciary protection. We work with your administrator or mutual fund company to ensure your plan gets the attention it deserves.
Contact us for a complimentary analysis of your 401(k) plan and see what services you might be missing.
Clients
We pride ourselves on maintaining long-term relationships with our clients. Most have worked with us for more than 10 years and continue to benefit from our goal of designing healthier and more cost-effective retirement programs for themselves and their employees.
Our clients include industry-leading firms who seek the insight and expertise that Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors can provide. Many have retained their current vendor to oversee operational functions, while relying on us to provide investment and fiduciary advice with the goal of protecting their plan’s assets.
Our clients include industry leading firms in:
- Legal Services
- Technology
- Real Estate Development
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Construction
- Financial Services
- Manufacturing
- Medical Devices
