Hot Topics for 2021
Recent changes continue to reshape the Retirement landscape due to Recordkeeper and Advisor/Consultant Consolidation. Plan Sponsors should be prepared to evaluate how these changes will affect their plans and participants.
Managed Accounts
Managed Accounts All 401(k) Plan recordkeeping firms are experiencing margin compression in their core business and seeking ways to increase their revenue in other areas, such as selling Managed Accounts. It is critical that Plan Sponsors realize Managed Accounts are NOT a service but an investment product. Why the distinction? A Managed Account as an investment product means you have a fiduciary duty to conduct due diligence to evaluate the benefits. As with any fiduciary decision, it is important for…
OCIO/ERISA 3(38)
OCIO/ERISA 3(38) As this consolidation has occurred on the advisor side, Advisor firms are actively positioning OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officers), ERISA 3(38) or Discretionary Asset Management services to Plan Sponsors. The three terms are used interchangeable and relate to hiring an advisor/consultant to take fiduciary responsibility from the Retirement Committee for all investment related decisions including hiring and firing investment managers/funds in your retirement plan. Generally, Committees are utilizing this service due to: Plan Sponsors considering the implementation of…
Advisors/Consultants Consolidation
Advisors/Consultants Consolidation The consolidation craze has made its way to the Retirement Plan Advisor/Consultant marketplace. Private equity firms, large financial services organizations and national benefits firms have all entered into agreements to acquire retirement plan advisory/consulting resources. Examples include: With 401(k) and other types of retirement plans becoming more complex, Plan Sponsors have become reliant on their advisor/consultant to provide unbiased advice. The recent advisor/consultant consolidation is blurring the lines as firms, who were primarily focused on independent 401(k) consulting,…
Recordkeeping Consolidation
Recordkeeping Consolidation Continued fee compression in 401(k) plan recordkeeping services is accelerating the need for economies of scale. Whether it is continued technological improvements, such as the adoption of cloud technologies or the need to offer a wider suite of services, recordkeepers are realizing they need to adjust or exit the business. Perhaps the best example of this trend occurred in 2020 when Vanguard partnered with Infosys, Ltd. of India. Infosys has assumed operational control of the recordkeeping platform, including integrating all…
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