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.
Is Human 401(k) Advice More Expensive Than Robo Advice? You Might Be Surprised

Is Human 401(k) Advice More Expensive Than Robo Advice? You Might Be Surprised

By: Eric Droblyen

September 7th 2016

New robo 401k advisors use a computer algorithm, instead of a human, to construct 401k investment portfolios. Providers claim lower fees. We disagree.
Read More
(Possibly) The Biggest Small Business 401(k) Fee Study Ever!

(Possibly) The Biggest Small Business 401(k) Fee Study Ever!

By: Eric Droblyen

August 24th 2016

Small business 401k fee data is difficult to find. Employee Fiduciary has summarized the fees of 121 401k plans with an average of $1M in plan assets
Read More
401(k) Fiduciary Pro Tip: Uninvested Cash Can Be a Symptom of a Bad 401(k) Recordkeeper

401(k) Fiduciary Pro Tip: Uninvested Cash Can Be a Symptom of a Bad 401(k) Recordkeeper

By: Eric Droblyen

August 10th 2016

Uninvested cash can be a symptom of uncorrected 401k problems. Small business 401k fiduciaries should look for it to evaluate recordkeeper performance
Read More
401(k) Enrollment: Is a Meeting or E-Delivery Best For Your Small Business 401(k) Plan?

401(k) Enrollment: Is a Meeting or E-Delivery Best For Your Small Business 401(k) Plan?

By: Eric Droblyen

July 27th 2016

New technology and investments are making 401k investment decisions simple for 401k participants and 401k enrollment easy for small business sponsors.
Read More
The Myth of the 15 Minute 401(k) Plan Setup

The Myth of the 15 Minute 401(k) Plan Setup

By: Eric Droblyen

July 13th 2016

The consequences of a poorly-designed or misunderstood 401(k) plan are great. Small businesses should take more than 15 minutes to setup a new 401(k) plan.
Read More
John Oliver Should Be Upset; His Hancock 401k Fees Are Too High!

John Oliver Should Be Upset; His Hancock 401k Fees Are Too High!

By: Eric Droblyen

June 29th 2016

John Oliver attacks his company’s John Hancock 401k plan. Hancock makes misleading statements in rebuttal. What’s the truth about Hancock 401k fees?
Read More
401(k) Disclosure Rules Are Out of Date; It’s Time for Common Sense Reform

401(k) Disclosure Rules Are Out of Date; It’s Time for Common Sense Reform

By: Eric Droblyen

June 1st 2016

Current ERISA regulations make electronic delivery of participant disclosures risky for small business 401(k) fiduciaries. It's time for reform.
Read More
How to Evaluate 401(k) Provider Competence in 2 Easy Steps

How to Evaluate 401(k) Provider Competence in 2 Easy Steps

By: Eric Droblyen

May 18th 2016

ERISA requires small business 401(k) fiduciaries to select “competent” 401(k) providers, but this job can be difficult due to the technical complexity of 401(k) services. To simplify the evaluation of provider competence, fiduciaries should focus on objective criteria that indicate competence.
Read More
What’s the #1 Reason for 401(k) Lawsuits?  Overpriced or Superfluous 401(k) Services

What’s the #1 Reason for 401(k) Lawsuits?  Overpriced or Superfluous 401(k) Services

By: Eric Droblyen

May 4th 2016

The DOL’s new fiduciary rule will make the value of 401k services more important than ever. Small business 401k fiduciaries should root out overpriced or superfluous 401k services to protect themselves from personal liability.
Read More
Picking 401(k) Investments and Related Services Is Easy When Fiduciaries Know Their Options

Picking 401(k) Investments and Related Services Is Easy When Fiduciaries Know Their Options

By: Eric Droblyen

April 6th 2016

Given the dizzying array of 401(k) investment options and services, small business 401(k) fiduciaries are often confused regarding the best options for their plan. The process of 401(k) investment decision making can be made easy by breaking it down.
Read More