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 RPC 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

If you sponsor a retirement plan for your employees, you will soon discover that the bulk of the government compliance work done by your Retirement Plan Consultant (RPC) 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 RPC. We often get questions on why the RPC is requesting so much data and what work is being done. In this po

Employer-sponsored retirement plans such as a 401(k) provide companies and employees with numerous benefits. When establishing a 401(k), you will designate an individual or committee within your company that is responsible for the establishment of the plan document, communication, compliance, and more. In this blog, we are going to uncover the 12 things that every 401(k) Plan Sponsor needs to know including tips and responsibilities. What are a Plan Sponsor's Responsibilities

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

Employer-Sponsored Retirement plans are a great incentive to add to your company due to their low cost and numerous benefits . When it comes to choosing an employer-sponsored retirement plan it is important to consider your business type, size, as well as your current economic sector. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of employer-sponsored retirement plans. 401(k) 401(k) plans, also known as defined contribution plans, are the most common of employer-sponsore

When it comes to deciding on a retirement plan, there are many choices, yet, one plan that is increasing in popularity is the cash balance plan. Compared to traditional 401(k) retirement plans, cash balance plans come with a twist and numerous benefits that you may not have been aware of. In this week's blog, let's take a look at the six things you may not know about cash balance plans. 1. Significant Tax Benefits Cash balance plans can bring tax benefits to the company. Whe