Common Plan Sponsor Misconceptions

Plan sponsors have to manage many moving parts in their retirement plans. Arranging plan options, managing compliance, increasing participation, educating participants and most importantly, adhering to fiduciary obligations can feel like an overwhelming responsibility. Due to the large amount of work in starting and maintaining their retirement plan, sponsors often overlook certain aspects that may expose them to potential liability.  Additionally, some plan sponsors are unaware of the ongoing fiduciary duties which can result in misconceptions about the plan and its participants. These misconceptions can be costly, and sponsors may find themselves in trouble with the IRS or the Department of Labor.

Here are five common misconceptions plan sponsors have – and why they are likely wrong.

How Regulation Best Interest Could Impact Non-ERISA 403(b) Plans

In April of this year, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a new set of guidelines to better govern relationships between professional financial advisers and broker-dealers and those of their individual clients. These suggestions, collectively dubbed Regulation Best Interest, could reshape the relationships between individual investors and the professionals who advise them by ensuring that a broader swath of those relationships requires the broker-dealer to act in the best interests of the client.

The Difference Between Investment Brokers and Retirement Plan Consultants

Updated January 2020

Retirement plan sponsors face a challenging legal and economic landscape in 2020. Regulation and litigation has increased dramatically over the past decade.  While the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule is now defunct, the SEC has adopted a best interest standard effective in 2020. While all qualified plan sponsors are fiduciaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), legislative changes have made it confusing to determine which parties should share in that responsibility.

Since the vast majority of plan sponsors need to involve external plan managers in some capacity, it’s important to understand how financial professionals of different classes differ in what they bring to the table. Two major categories of professional assistants are available to sponsors. Broadly speaking, they can be grouped as investment brokers and retirement plan consultants.

Pop Quiz: Can You Spot the Common Retirement Plan Misconceptions?

The laws and regulations surrounding retirement plans are complex and confusing. It isn’t any wonder, then, that there are a lot of misconceptions floating around. From fiduciary liability to required disclosures, there are a lot of common beliefs that aren’t necessarily true. Are the following statements fact or fiction? Read on to find out how much (or little) you really know about retirement plans.