Plan Fiduciaries

The single annual fee our clients pay is typically significantly less than they had been paying for the common advisor based revenue sharing mutual fund compensation structure, opted for by their former advisors. In most of these relationships there is little or no comprehensive portfolio analysis, plan design efforts or integrated processes being executed on the client's behalf. Added to this is the fact that our unique, integrated approach delivers more in terms of practical advice and purposeful investment strategies related to the long-term effectiveness and structure of the company retirement plan.

We address the issues comprising our clients’ fiduciary obligation specifically to investment management, prudent care, timely risk assessment and the overall plan design and structure of the company's defined contribution and profit sharing 401(k) retirement plan. We understand that it is absolutely imperative to assess not just one aspect of our exclusive clientele’s investment fiduciary obligation under ERISA, but to closely examine the entire employer sponsored retirement plan and to focus on seamlessly integrating all components to maximize the plan's overall efficiency and effectiveness.

We also understand that all components of our clients’ total wealth picture should work together in one fluid motion. While each facet is, to a degree, independent from the others and deserving of its own separate and detailed analysis, and each and every aspect is also critically interdependent upon the others. We believe it is the rare, but also invaluable, approach to consider each facet of the plan design as part of the whole and to approach our client’s fiduciary obligation at a comprehensive level.

Over the next 20 years there will be over 70 million people retiring within varying age demographics, with over 70% of their retirement assets coming from company retirement plans. Our firm is focused on an independent approach to assist publicly and privately held businesses with their investment fiduciary retirement plan responsibilities. We act as their investment advisor and co-fiduciary while providing exclusive attention to their ever changing retirement and investment needs.

We will undertake a thorough analysis of the current portfolio and investment choices available to participants, conduct a complete performance evaluation paying particular attention to the fees that are currently being paid, and evaluate the existing investment policy statement and the overall investment framework of the current plan. We want to be able to answer two questions: First, has the portfolio been managed in accordance with the mandate given by the board of directors? And second, has the portfolio been managed with an acceptable degree of professional competence within that mandate? Once a reasonable baseline has been established, we will carefully craft a written Investment Policy Statement that will thoroughly outline the firm’s investment philosophy and strategy.

Our main goal is to provide independent advice as we seek to develop policy frameworks and guidelines that accurately reflect the objectives of the organization. As part of this investment policy design, we develop investment benchmarks and targeted rates of return that are realistic and appropriate to the members of the retirement plan. In addition, we will create "risk based model portfolios" that will take advantage of applicable safe harbors set forth by the federal government and ERISA.

The main difference between our firm and that of our competitors is we are not motivated by the sale of proprietary products and services that may conflict with our clients' needs. Our clients hire us for our expertise and the fact we do not get paid for selling products nor are we compensated based on revenue sharing arrangement established by mutual fund companies or retail based custodians. We get paid a fee to find the best solutions for our clients, by providing a holistic approach and a comprehensive solution that is tailored independently for each one of our clients.