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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.
How MEPs Signal a Broken 401(k) Industry

How MEPs Signal a Broken 401(k) Industry

By: Eric Droblyen

October 30th 2019

Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) are better for the 401(k) industry than retirement plan savers and sponsors. Small business owners should avoid them.
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3 Warning Signs Your 401(k) Provider is Ripping You Off

3 Warning Signs Your 401(k) Provider is Ripping You Off

By: Eric Droblyen

October 16th 2019

If you’re a business owner, you must know how much your 401(k) plan costs because the consequences for paying excessive fees are high.
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401(k) Fees - Rules for Allocating Among Plan Participants

401(k) Fees - Rules for Allocating Among Plan Participants

By: Eric Droblyen

October 2nd 2019

Employers have a fiduciary responsibility to allocate 401(k) fees among plan participants equitably. This job can be easy with some basic education.
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401(k) Amendment Rules – Strict, but (Mostly) Straightforward

401(k) Amendment Rules – Strict, but (Mostly) Straightforward

By: Eric Droblyen

September 18th 2019

The Internal Revenue Service has strict rules for amending 401(k) plan documents. To stay out of trouble, employers should understand some amendment basics.
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Steps for Reducing the Out-of-Pocket Cost of Retirement

Steps for Reducing the Out-of-Pocket Cost of Retirement

By: Eric Droblyen

September 4th 2019

A simple plan can dramatically reduce the cost of retirement for 401(k) participants. Investing knowledge is not required to follow the plan.
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Traditional Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan vs. QACA – How to Choose

Traditional Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan vs. QACA – How to Choose

By: Eric Droblyen

August 21st 2019

There are two basic types of safe harbor 401(k) plans available today – traditional and QACA. Business owners should understand their differences.
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401(k) Fee Study: What Does a Fiduciary-Grade Advisor Cost?

401(k) Fee Study: What Does a Fiduciary-Grade Advisor Cost?

By: Eric Droblyen

August 7th 2019

Our fee study of 753 fiduciary-grade financial advisors shows impartial advice reduces the total cost of a 401(k) plan. Employers should not settle for less.
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Revenue Sharing - 5 Reasons for 401(k) Fiduciaries to Avoid it

Revenue Sharing - 5 Reasons for 401(k) Fiduciaries to Avoid it

By: Eric Droblyen

July 24th 2019

Revenue sharing makes it harder than necessary to meet 401(k) fiduciary responsibilities. Employers should pay direct 401(k) fees instead.
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The SPIVA Scorecard – A Must-Read for 401(k) Fiduciaries

The SPIVA Scorecard – A Must-Read for 401(k) Fiduciaries

By: Eric Droblyen

July 10th 2019

The SPIVA Scorecard measures the percentage of active funds that outperform their market benchmark over specific periods of time, net of fees. Most don't.
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Switching 401(k) Providers? What to Expect and Pitfalls to Avoid

Switching 401(k) Providers? What to Expect and Pitfalls to Avoid

By: Eric Droblyen

June 26th 2019

To lower your 401k fees, you may need to replace your plan provider. This move can seem daunting until you understand the process and the pitfalls to avoid.
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