2. What’s the firms experience/commitment to the retirement plan business? You want to select an advisor that allocates a majority of their time and has strong experience in the 401(k) industry. You want a firm to have a focus on overall plan health:

• Fiduciary governance process
• Plan design
• Investment consulting
• Recordkeeping knowledge
• Negotiate fees with providers and recordkeeper

3. How does the advisor manage the investment menu selection process?
A fiduciary must act solely in the interest of the plan participants. This should include a rigorous approach to selecting and monitoring the funds in the investment menu.

4. Is the advisor able to work with any Recordkeeper and Third Party Administrator?
You want to select an advisor with experience working with many recordkeepers and TPAs across the industry. That kind of experience allows you to receive a more accurate view of all aspects of your plan but especially of the fees charged to your plan. You want a firm that has an in-depth knowledge of service providers’ fee structures, pricing strategies and service configurations.

5. What is the firm’s business model?
When you hire a retirement plan advisor, you should enter into a written agreement for services rendered. You want a firm that has no financial ties to any product or vendor. You should understand how much of the firm’s business is geared towards working with Plan Sponsors and how much of the firm’s revenue is generated through that work. Optimally, your fees should be reasonable and priced in a way that are transparent to the Plan Sponsor.