Named one of the 7 Best 401(k) Plans of 2024 by Forbes Advisor!

Get started
Search for topics or resources

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.
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Five Reasons Why Hidden 401(k) Fees Should be Illegal

Five Reasons Why Hidden 401(k) Fees Should be Illegal

By: Eric Droblyen

March 16th 2022

Hidden 401(k) fees should be illegal. They can make it almost impossible for employers to protect the interests of plan participants and avoid fiduciary liability.
Read More
401(k) Fiduciary Takeaways from a Jerry Schlichter Interview

401(k) Fiduciary Takeaways from a Jerry Schlichter Interview

By: Eric Droblyen

March 2nd 2022

Understanding the drivers of 401(k) fiduciary liability can help employers avoid it. The top drivers are well defined in a recent interview with Jerry Schlichter.
Read More
Pooled Employer 401(k) Plans (PEPs): Myth vs. Reality

Pooled Employer 401(k) Plans (PEPs): Myth vs. Reality

By: Eric Droblyen

February 16th 2022

Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) can seem attractive at first blush. Ironically, their purported benefits can, in fact, harm 401(k) plan participants and fiduciaries.
Read More
Hughes v Northwestern: What is a

Hughes v Northwestern: What is a "Prudent" 401(k) Investment?

By: Eric Droblyen

February 2nd 2022

When the Supreme Court re-opened the Hughes v. Northwestern University case, they didn't offer plan fiduciaries a "prudent" 401(k) investment definition. We do.
Read More
401(k) Nondiscrimination Testing Study – What % of Plans Fail?

401(k) Nondiscrimination Testing Study – What % of Plans Fail?

By: Eric Droblyen

January 19th 2022

Our 401(k) nondiscrimination testing study shows the percentage of small business plans that fail the ADP/ACP, top-heavy, 402(g), and 415 tests.
Read More
How to Make Small Business 401(k)s Cheaper than Mega Plans

How to Make Small Business 401(k)s Cheaper than Mega Plans

By: Eric Droblyen

January 5th 2022

Small 401(k) plans are notorious for high fees. Here's how business owners can benefit by making their small plan cheaper than a mega plan for participants.
Read More
The Top Ten Frugal Fiduciary 401(k) Blogs of 2021

The Top Ten Frugal Fiduciary 401(k) Blogs of 2021

By: Eric Droblyen

December 22nd 2021

Our top 10 blogs for 2021 are must-reads for small business 401(k) sponsors and participants. They cover controlled groups, testing, and plan administration.
Read More