Your interests come first.

Fiduciary guidance for Orange County employers with 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans.

Being a fiduciary means acting in the best interests of the client and plan participants. To me, that is the only way to treat them: with objective advice intended to help them.

It also means doing the work. Understanding the plan, following a prudent process, and giving decisions the care and attention they deserve. I have always welcomed that responsibility.

Understand the plan

I start with your business, your workforce, and the way your retirement plan works today. We discuss what is working and where you need help.

Follow a prudent process

A fiduciary’s decisions should be grounded in care, skill, prudence, and diligence. I use established processes to guide the work and keep the focus on the plan and its participants.

Be clear about responsibility

We discuss the fiduciary responsibilities I can take on and document the scope of our work. You should know what I am doing and what remains your responsibility.

Help the people in the plan

A well-run plan matters. So does helping employees use it. I offer individual advice and ongoing support for participants.

Help with the plan you already have.

If you run a small business, looking after the retirement plan may be just one part of your job. Employers often contact me because they have no advisor, or their current advisor is not giving them the help they need. We start with your plan’s needs and the questions you want answered.

Whether your team has 10 employees or 100, the conversation should be practical: what is working, where you need support, and who is responsible for the next step. The services and responsibilities are agreed as part of the engagement.

Quarterly investment monitoring

Quarterly investment monitoring is included in my employer retirement-plan consulting service. It provides an ongoing process for looking after the plan’s investment choices.

An annual review, including fees

An annual plan review, including fees, is also included. We look at costs alongside the services the plan receives, rather than treating one fee as the whole picture.

Individual meetings with employees

Individual employee meetings are included. Employees can discuss their own questions about contributions, investments and retirement with someone who understands their plan.

How I help your employees

An annual fixed fee. A clear starting point.

I quote an annual fixed fee for employer retirement-plan consulting based on the time involved in servicing your plan. There is no minimum plan size or minimum consulting fee. Your agreement sets out the services and the fee; other providers and the plan’s investments may have separate costs.

The initial conversation is free. We discuss your plan’s needs, and no documents or information are required in advance. Paid work begins when you sign my agreement.

Questions before we get started.

Do we have to change our current provider?

Usually, no. My preference is to keep your current provider. We discuss the arrangement you have and any limitations before agreeing on the work.

Who handles payroll and plan administration?

Your business remains responsible for payroll and plan administration, working with its existing providers. My work focuses on fiduciary guidance and advising employees, with my responsibilities documented in our agreement.

What if we are starting our first plan?

I also work with employers establishing a retirement plan. We can discuss your business, its employees and the services needed to get started. For most small-business conversations, that means considering a 401(k); 403(b) plans are for eligible employers such as public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations.

What should we have ready for a conversation?

Nothing is required. Call to talk about your plan’s needs. If you later want to organize information for a deeper review, the checklist below offers a starting point; it is not a requirement for the free conversation.

What to gather for a 401(k) plan review

Where do you meet clients?

I visit my clients, primarily in Orange County. I also work with employers in southern Los Angeles County and Riverside County. Contact me to arrange a meeting.

Watch Scott’s explanation and read the video summary

Let’s discuss your plan, without the scare tactics.

Fiduciary liability is often used as a sales pitch. I’d rather talk about your actual plan and the work I can do to help you.

Contact Scott