For 401(k) Plan Services For Companies

 

Legend Financial Advisors, Inc.^® (Legend) is a U.S. securities and exchange commission registered investment advisory firm that helps the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and its investment committee oversee as well as coordinate the various facets of the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan process in addition to acting as a FiduciaryxThe department of labor’s definition of a fiduciary demands that advisors act in the best interests of their client, and to put their clients’ interests above their own.  It leaves no room for advisors to conceal any potential conflict of interest, and states that all fees and commissions must be clearly disclosed in dollar form to clients.

Source: investopedia investment advisor or a FiduciaryxThe department of labor’s definition of a fiduciary demands that advisors act in the best interests of their client, and to put their clients’ interests above their own.  It leaves no room for advisors to conceal any potential conflict of interest, and states that all fees and commissions must be clearly disclosed in dollar form to clients.

Source: investopedia investment manager.  Legend is a FiduciaryxThe department of labor’s definition of a fiduciary demands that advisors act in the best interests of their client, and to put their clients’ interests above their own.  It leaves no room for advisors to conceal any potential conflict of interest, and states that all fees and commissions must be clearly disclosed in dollar form to clients.

Source: investopedia and offers its service on a fee-only¹ basis.  It acts as either a Section 3(21)xA section 3(21) fiduciary investment advisor works in conjunction with the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and investment committee to recommend the investment options for the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan investment platform, but does not have discretion over plan investments.  However, the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and/or investment committee retain fiduciary liability for investment decisions.

Source: investopedia fiduciary investment advisor or a Section 3(38)xThe section 3(38) fiduciary investment manager will have discretion to select and oversee the investment options.  The section 3(38) fiduciary investment manager retains fiduciary liability for investment decisions.  The 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor’s and/or investment committee’s liability is limited to prudently select and monitor the section 3(38) fiduciary investment manager as well as benchmark the reasonableness of their fees.

Source: investopedia fiduciary investment manager under the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (erisa), which minimizes the potential liabilities of a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and its investment committee.

 

In either case, Legend works together with the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s administrator and follows the investment guidelines established by the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s investment policy statement (ips).  Its state-of-the-art services incorporate the newest laws concerning the investment management aspects of a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan.

 

Legend Is A Fiduciary:

Legend, as a FiduciaryxThe department of labor’s definition of a fiduciary demands that advisors act in the best interests of their client, and to put their clients’ interests above their own.  It leaves no room for advisors to conceal any potential conflict of interest, and states that all fees and commissions must be clearly disclosed in dollar form to clients.

Source: investopedia, places the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan and the participants’ interests first, to ensure conflict-free services.  Legend’s fees are always transparent.  All custodial fees charged to the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan will be disclosed by the recommended custodians.

 

Low-Cost Investments:

Legend generally selects low-cost investments including index and/or actively-managed options.

 

Low-Cost, Best-In-Class Service Providers:

Legend recommends, where possible, best-in-class record-keepers, administrators and custodians to a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s investment committee to assist in providing cutting-edge 401(k)/profit-sharing plan services that minimize costs to both the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan and its participants.

 

Aside from low costs, best-in-class 401(k)/profit-sharing plan providers can positively impact the plan sponsoring organization’s talent acquisition, retention, and employee satisfaction.  However, all decisions regarding any party that provides services to the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan and its participants are made by the plan sponsor and its investment committee.

 

Avoiding Potential 401(k)/Profit-Sharing Plan Problems:

Implementing and managing a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan can be a complex and high-risk effort if best-in-class 401(k)/profit-sharing plan providers are not selected.  Failure to do so can increase daily management burdens, costs and time spent by a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and its investment committee.  Furthermore, by selecting the wrong 401(k)/profit-sharing plan providers, a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and its investment committee may be subject to an increased likelihood of litigation costs as well as possible violations of department of labor laws.

 

Key Points Contained In The Investment Policy Statement (IPS):

An investment policy statement (ips) is a written document outlining the process for a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan investment committee’s investment-related decision making.  Its purpose is to formally describe how investment decisions are related to a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s goals and objectives, as well as document the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s long-term outlook for the investments.  A written investment policy statement (ips) can also provide a framework for 401(k)/profit-sharing plan participant communication and education including:

 

1. Define 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s investment objectives.
2. Outline the roles of those responsible for the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s investments including the investment committee and the Section 3(21)xA section 3(21) fiduciary investment advisor works in conjunction with the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and investment committee to recommend the investment options for the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan investment platform, but does not have discretion over plan investments.  However, the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor and/or investment committee retain fiduciary liability for investment decisions.
   
   Source: investopedia fiduciary investment advisor or the Section 3(38)xThe 3(38) fiduciary investment manager will have discretion to select and oversee the investment options.  The 3(38) fiduciary investment manager retains fiduciary liability for investment decisions.  The 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor’s and/or investment committee’s liability is limited to prudently select and monitor the 3(38) fiduciary investment manager as well as benchmark the reasonableness of their fees.
   
   Source: investopedia fiduciary investment manager.
3. Listed below is the framework for the investment options based upon the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s demographics:
   1. Develop procedures for selecting and monitoring investments.
   2. Establish investment procedures, measurement standards and monitoring criteria.
   3. Develop guidelines for replacing specific investments and/or asset classes of investment managers that fail to satisfy established objectives.

 

Preparation Of The Investment Policy Statement (IPS):

If a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan does not have an investment policy statement (ips) Legend will assist the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan investment committee with writing one.  If a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan does have an investment policy statement (ips), Legend will review it in-depth to ensure that it is current and meets the objectives of the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan’s goals.

 

Thereafter on at least an annual basis, the investment policy statement (ips) should be reviewed by both parties to determine if there have been any material changes to the goals and objectives or to the risk/return profile of the underlying investments.  Included in this review is whether the stated objectives are still relevant as well as the continued feasibility of achieving the objectives.

 

Legend’s 401(k)/Profit-Sharing Plan Investment Advisory Services Include:

1. Investment policy statement (ips) development and monitoring
2. Investment manager selection and ongoing evaluation
3. Quarterly investment performance benchmarking
4. Legend will hold periodic meetings/web conferences with the 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsor, investment committee and/or the plan participants (upon request) to review the underlying investment options’ performance.
5. 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsors will be mailed a monthly newsletter entitled “the employer’s retirement plan advisor”.
6. “The employer’s retirement plan brief”, a semi-monthly e-mail newsletter will be e-mailed to 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsors.
7. 401(k)/profit-sharing plan participants will receive the following monthly e-mail newsletters:
   1. The Retirement Plan Participant Investor
   2. The Global Investment Pulse
   3. Legend’s Financial Planning Newsletter

      To subscribe to any of the above newsletters, click here.

8. Educational videos for sponsors and participants
   1. On-demand 401(k) educational videos (70+ videos) for plan sponsors and participants
9. 401(k)/profit-sharing plan participants will receive investment education including:
   1. Information about asset classes and the types of underlying investments
   2. Types of investment risks
   3. Historical investment returns
   4. Inflation
10. Participant education webcasts
    1. Periodic webcasts regarding 401(k) plan issues
    2. Periodic webcasts on financial planning and investment subjects for the participants’ personal finances

 

WEBCASTS

Legend sponsors webcasts on numerous topics, specific to 401(k)/profit-sharing plan sponsors.  To view these webcasts, click here.

 

For More Information On Your Company Retirement Plan, Please Call Legend at
(412) 635-9210.