Insights
Insights for plan sponsors, business owners and families
Plain-English articles on retirement plan governance, fees, compliance and wealth management.
Clear Financial Strategies
Independent · Fee-Only · Fiduciary
Common Form 5500 filing mistakes and how to avoid them
For most employer-sponsored retirement plans, the annual Form 5500 filing is one of the most visible compliance obligations a plan sponsor faces. Yet despite its importance, errors on…
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Combo plan strategies: pairing a 401(k) with a defined benefit plan
For high-earning business owners who have maximized their 401(k) contributions and still want to accelerate retirement savings, a combination plan strategy may be worth exploring. Pairing a 401(k)…
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The annual retirement plan compliance calendar for plan sponsors
Running an employer-sponsored retirement plan comes with a year-round set of deadlines, filings, and administrative responsibilities. Missing one can trigger penalties, disqualification risk, or fiduciary liability. Yet many…
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Cash balance plan basics for high-earning business owners
“`html Cash Balance Plans: A Powerful Retirement Tool for High-Earning Business Owners If you’re a high-earning business owner who has maxed out your 401(k) contributions and still feels…
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Understanding fiduciary responsibility under ERISA for plan sponsors
What Every Plan Sponsor Needs to Know About ERISA Fiduciary Responsibility For business owners who sponsor retirement plans, the word “fiduciary” carries significant weight — and significant legal…
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Safe harbor 401(k) plan options and employer contribution strategies
Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans: What Business Owners Need to Know About Employer Contribution Strategies For business owners who want to maximize their own retirement savings while rewarding employees,…
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Maximizing Your Retirement Savings with Cash Balance Plans
Maximizing Retirement Savings with a Cash Balance Retirement Plan Planning for retirement often feels like navigating a complex maze. With so many retirement savings options available, many people…
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DOL Fiduciary Rule Appears DOA for Second Time: What It Means for Your Retirement
A second federal court in Texas recently put a stay on the Department of Labor's (DOL) Retirement Security Rule, effectively halting the rule's exemptions. This decision, stemming from
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Understanding Prohibited Transactions under ERISA: Key Insights into ERISA 406(a) and ERISA 407(b)
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is a federal law that sets minimum standards for most voluntarily established retirement and health plans in private industry to
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