imagine a 401k with
zero
broker fees
Fiduciary support, NO revenue sharing, LOW fees
ZERO Broker Fees
A broker is a salesperson. What sale, exactly, is “made” in a 401k? Should a broker be continually paid on the size of the account? No.
LOW Rkp/TPA fees
Recordkeepers and third-party administrators provide services like website, call center, tax filing, loans, etc. Essential? Yes. Worth a percentage? No.
FIDUCIARY support
Hire an investment fiduciary to provide 3(38) or 3(21) services. We’ll introduce you to independent, non-affiliated providers. Avoid conflicts.
Third-party custodian
Completely avoid conflicts of interest by using an independent, non-affiliated firm to custody all plan assets.
NO Revenue Sharing
DOL disclosure notices are exposing the many “indirect compensation” or revenue sharing arrangments among 401k plans. We have NONE.
FLAT FEE advice
Beyond education, all participants have access to individual investment advice on a per-capita, flat fee basis. Not percentage of account.
why a ‘flat fee’ 401k?
401k participant lawsuits against their employers are increasing in number and frequency (source). Pursuant to ERISA law, the employer is to act as a financial fiduciary for the interests of the plan participants.
The easiest way to demonstrate fiduciary duties are being followed diligently is to hire fiduciaries to support you. When it comes to paying for services, it’s prudent NOT ONLY to “not overpay” for services, but also to have fee models that are appropriately structured for services provided.
For example, if a fee is billed as a percentage of assets, it should be related to the investment management of the assets.
(This is where MANY ‘revenue sharing’ arrangements are hidden.)
If any service provides the same value to a participant with a small balance as one with a large balance, then it is not prudent to base the fee for that service on a percentage of assets..