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The Frugal Fiduciary Small Business 401(k) Blog

Get the latest industry news, deadlines and tips you need to know to help tackle your fiduciary responsibility needs.
Pew Finds Rolling a 401(k) to an IRA can be a Costly Mistake

Pew Finds Rolling a 401(k) to an IRA can be a Costly Mistake

By: Eric Droblyen

August 2nd 2022

A Pew study found investment expenses in IRAs to be higher than 401(k)s and the difference can cost an investor tens of thousands of dollars in retirement.
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Is Your 401(k) About to Lose Solo Status? Here’s How to Prepare

Is Your 401(k) About to Lose Solo Status? Here’s How to Prepare

By: Eric Droblyen

July 19th 2022

Preparing a small business 401(k) plan to lose its solo status is not complicated. Here’s what you need to know to smoothly transition your plan.
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Target Date Index Funds – The Best Investment for Most 401(k) Participants?

Target Date Index Funds – The Best Investment for Most 401(k) Participants?

By: Eric Droblyen

July 5th 2022

Target Date Index Funds may be the best investment for most 401(k) participants. They combine strong net-of-fee returns and set-it-and-forget-it convenience.
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New 401(k) Lifetime Income Disclosures – What to Know

New 401(k) Lifetime Income Disclosures – What to Know

By: Eric Droblyen

June 22nd 2022

The SECURE Act's lifetime income disclosure should help 401(k) participants understand how much income their account balance could produce in retirement.
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401(k) Distributions - FAQs for Employers

401(k) Distributions - FAQs for Employers

By: Eric Droblyen

June 8th 2022

When employers do not follow their 401(k)'s distribution rules, IRS penalties can result. Our distribution guide can help employers avoid these consequences.
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401(k) Plan Design Study: Safe Harbor and Roth Adoption Is Up

401(k) Plan Design Study: Safe Harbor and Roth Adoption Is Up

By: Eric Droblyen

May 25th 2022

Proper 401(k) plan design can help a small business meet its plan goals at the lowest possible cost. Our study summarizes the designs of 4,330 401(k) plans.
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Good Luck Escaping a Pooled Employer 401(k) Plan (PEP)

Good Luck Escaping a Pooled Employer 401(k) Plan (PEP)

By: Eric Droblyen

May 11th 2022

Employers can terminate a single-employer 401(k) at any time, but they can't terminate their portion of a Pooled Employer Plan. That can trap participants.
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SECURE Act 2.0 – Not the 401(k) Reform Americans Deserve

SECURE Act 2.0 – Not the 401(k) Reform Americans Deserve

By: Eric Droblyen

April 27th 2022

SECURE 2.0 delivers welcome, but incremental, reform. 401(k) plans are not cost-efficient enough today. Here are four things Washington can do to change that.
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Don’t Be Fooled by These 401(k) Conflicts of Interest!

Don’t Be Fooled by These 401(k) Conflicts of Interest!

By: Eric Droblyen

April 13th 2022

The 401(k) industry is rife with conflicts of interest. Employers have a fiduciary responsibility to protect employees from them. Common ones hide in plain sight.
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The Ultimate Guide to Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans

By: Eric Droblyen

March 30th 2022

Safe harbor 401(k) plans are popular with small businesses that struggle to pass IRS-mandated nondiscrimination testing. Our guide answers common questions.
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