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.
![Employers Should Avoid Providers That Treat 401(k) Plans Like a Product, Not a Service](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/blog-files/employers-should-avoid-providers-that-treat-401k-plans-like-a-product.jpg)
Employers Should Avoid Providers That Treat 401(k) Plans Like a Product, Not a Service
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
September 6th 2017
Insurance and mutual fund companies treat 401k plans like a product by restricting fund and plan design options. Plan Sponsors need impartial and consultative advice instead
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![The Top 4 Lies Told by 401(k) Providers](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/assets/401k%20Provider%20Lies.jpeg)
The Top 4 Lies Told by 401(k) Providers
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
March 22nd 2017
Some 401(k) providers lie to excuse excessive fees or mask inexperience. With some basic facts, 401(k) fiduciaries can easily debunk the lies.
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![4 Traits of the Best Small Business 401(k) Providers](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/blog-files/iStock-545783936.jpg)
4 Traits of the Best Small Business 401(k) Providers
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
January 11th 2017
America's Best Small Business 401(k) Providers have 4 traits in common. 401(k) fiduciaries should look for these traits when shopping for 401(k) services.
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![How to Evaluate 401(k) Provider Competence in 2 Easy Steps](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/blog-files/how-to-evaluate-401k-provider-competence-in-2-easy-steps.jpg)
How to Evaluate 401(k) Provider Competence in 2 Easy Steps
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
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.
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![Shopping For a 401(k) Plan Doesn’t Need To Be Overwhelming For Small Businesses; A Checklist Can Help](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/Shopping%20For%20a%20401k%20Plan%20Doesn%E2%80%99t%20Need%20To%20Be%20Overwhelming%20For%20Small%20Businesses%3B%20A%20Checklist%20Can%20Help.jpg)
Shopping For a 401(k) Plan Doesn’t Need To Be Overwhelming For Small Businesses; A Checklist Can Help
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
January 27th 2016
401k provider services can vary dramatically in breadth, depth and price. This variability can make it difficult for small business 401k fiduciaries to select providers with services that match their plan’s needs at a reasonable price. A checklist can make this job easier.
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![Selecting 401(k) Service Providers: Determine the Professional Help You Need Before You Shop](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/blog-files/401k-service-providers.jpg)
Selecting 401(k) Service Providers: Determine the Professional Help You Need Before You Shop
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
October 21st 2015
Choosing the best 401(k) for your small business means understanding the 401(k) services you need before you shop.
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![“Bundling” 401(k) services with other corporate services can result in fiduciary liability](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/blog-files/bundling-401k-services.jpg)
“Bundling” 401(k) services with other corporate services can result in fiduciary liability
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
May 6th 2015
Small business retirement plan sponsors have a duty to avoid conflicts of interest and self-dealing.
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![Evaluating 401(k) Providers: Separating Commodity from Value-Added Services](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hubfs/Evaluating%20401k%20Providers%20Separating%20Commodity%20from%20Value-Added%20Services.jpg)
Evaluating 401(k) Providers: Separating Commodity from Value-Added Services
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2447430245-jpeg/images/7ef818d1f78a3ade3fe31c0d5d241188.jpeg)
By: Eric Droblyen
February 10th 2015
When shopping 401k providers for your small businesses retirement plan, it's important to separate commodity from value-added services.
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![Small business owners are redefining the market for 401(k) plans. Result: Mass market “products” are about to go extinct.](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2606644999-jpg/blog-files/401k-market.jpg)
Small business owners are redefining the market for 401(k) plans. Result: Mass market “products” are about to go extinct.
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2558171348-jpg/images/greg_c.jpg)
By: Greg Carpenter
October 29th 2014
Small business retirement 401k plans value choice over all other buying factors. That’s a common observation across all markets and professions.
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![Let’s go shopping! For a 401(k) plan?](https://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2606642044-jpg/blog-files/401k_shopping.jpg)
Let’s go shopping! For a 401(k) plan?
![](http://www.employeefiduciary.com/hs-fs/hub/227641/file-2558171348-jpg/images/greg_c.jpg)
By: Greg Carpenter
November 1st 2013
Getting the best small business 401(k) plan for your company requires two things – clear objectives and the willingness to shop the plan.
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