Retirement Plans: Process
Herbruck Alder pursues a three-phase process to identify plan sponsor needs, employee needs and sound retirement plan solutions.
Discovery
- Identify participant needs through management input, key participant input, participant surveys and participant focus groups
- Determine plan sponsor needs by reviewing decision making processes and interviewing decision makers
- Review administrative practices
- Review plan provisions
- Review contract:
- Contract type
- Share class
- Total plan expenses
- Revenue sharing arrangements
- Investment flexibility
Plan Recommendations
- Conduct market study
- Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Benchmark product competitiveness
- Benchmark plan competitiveness
- Benchmark investment menu
- Help current record keeper improve product and systems
- Make recommendations for improvement
- Services to participants
- Administrative procedures
- Investment menu
- Plan features
- Service providers
- Support plan implementation
- Communication of process to participants
- Communication of conclusions to participants
- Manage timing of market value adjustments and contingent deferred sales charges
- Coordinate implementation of changes with funds, carriers and other entities
Service Plan
- Monitor investment options, plan competitiveness and participant needs continuously
- Provide documentation of thoroughness
- Investment Policy Statement
- Initial Fund Selection Document
- Periodic Review Document
- Annual Plan Review
- File notes
- Communicate plan and investments to participants through enrollment meetings and investment workshops
- Deliver pertinent and timely information on changes in investment markets, legislation and technology