As with the preceding phases of retirement plan testing, there are many ways in which errors can occur during the valuation phase. It is important to understand what takes place in the valuation phase and what your TPA should be doing to ensure a smooth process. Here, we have outlined the process and the steps that must be taken to ensure there are no issues. The valuation phase occurs after inputting all census data and reconciling any errors, the Consultant can begin testin

As you begin to approach retirement, saving for the future has always been a priority. These funds cannot stay in your account indefinitely, which means you will need to start taking withdrawals. These withdrawals are referred to as required minimum distributions. In this blog, we will dive into what a required minimum distribution is, how to calculate your withdrawal as well as what retirement plan accounts that it applies to. What is a Required Minimum Distribution? Simply

If you sponsor a retirement plan for your employees, you will soon discover that the bulk of the government compliance work done by your Third Party Administrator (TPA) occurs in the first quarter of each year. Your duties as a Plan Sponsor will also become more demanding during that time as you gather the required data and have more frequent communications with your TPA. We often get questions on why the TPA is requesting so much data and what work is being done. In this pos

As in any industry, retirement plan administration is full of professionals who hold various credentials, designed to distinguish them from the sea of competition. It is important for Plan Sponsors and Advisors to understand these designations so they can choose the best fit for the retirement plans they service. When searching for a Third Party Administrator to service a retirement plan, one should focus on firms who employ professionals with the Qualified 401(k) Administrat

An Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) is an individual who is qualified to practice before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in matters pertaining to retirement plans. This designation is awarded by the IRS to practitioners who have demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code Sections related to retirement plans. The ERPA designation can be earned following the completion of written examinations administered by the IRS or

When an organization seeks the services of a Third Party Administrator (TPA), they are entering a competitive world of hundreds of firms, each vying for the same business. One of the ways TPAs will seek to differentiate themselves is through obtaining and maintaining licenses and certifications. The gold standard among these credentials is the Seal of Excellence from the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX). But how can your organization benefit from working with a partner