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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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401(k) Annual Administration - A Checklist for 2022

401(k) Annual Administration - A Checklist for 2022

By: Eric Droblyen

December 8th 2021

An important 401(k) fiduciary responsibility is ensuring plan administration tasks are completed timely each year. Our 2022 checklist makes this job easy.
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Small Business 401(k) Plans – How the Best Can Help You Retire Faster

Small Business 401(k) Plans – How the Best Can Help You Retire Faster

By: Eric Droblyen

November 24th 2021

Avoiding 401(k) pitfalls during your working years can help you retire years faster. The best small business plans make this job easy. Don't settle for less.
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Bundled or Unbundled 401(k) Provider – How to Choose

Bundled or Unbundled 401(k) Provider – How to Choose

By: Eric Droblyen

November 10th 2021

Bundled (or full-service) 401k providers deliver all of the major plan administration services, while unbundled providers must ally with other companies to do so.
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401(k) Fee Study: How Much Does a Fiduciary-Grade Advisor Cost?

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

By: Eric Droblyen

October 27th 2021

Our fee study of 860 fiduciary-grade 401(k) financial advisors shows impartial advice reduces the total cost of a retirement plan. Employers should not settle for less.
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