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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 Complicate 401(k) Plan Terminations

How MEPs Complicate 401(k) Plan Terminations

By: Eric Droblyen

November 2nd 2016

Exiting a 401k plan can be an easy process, as long as you aren't part of an MEP. MEPs complicate the plan termination process and can cost you big time.
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Asset-Based 401(k) Admin Fees Are Unreasonable; Fiduciaries Should Avoid Them

Asset-Based 401(k) Admin Fees Are Unreasonable; Fiduciaries Should Avoid Them

By: Eric Droblyen

October 19th 2016

The best small business 401k providers charge low transparent fees based on participant headcount, not assets. A 401k fiduciary should not settle for less.
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3 Questions for Calculating Small Business 401(k) Provider Fees

3 Questions for Calculating Small Business 401(k) Provider Fees

By: Eric Droblyen

October 5th 2016

Small businesses have a fiduciary responsibility to keep 401k plan expenses reasonable for participants. Three questions can help find service provider fees.
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Government Shocker! The 401(k) Form 5500 May Become Useful Soon

Government Shocker! The 401(k) Form 5500 May Become Useful Soon

By: Eric Droblyen

September 21st 2016

The government is proposing substantial changes to the Form 5500 for 2019. These changes would make 401k information more accessible to stakeholders.
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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.
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(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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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?
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