401k Advisory and Management Services

LPL Financial consists of a national team of qualified retirement plan and wealth management specialists, providing an integrated approach to retirement plan management that is comprehensive and distinct. This sophisticated service model is designed with a goal to deliver leading-edge plan designs with low-cost investments and superior management systems, enabling plan sponsors to achieve the highest fiduciary standards. In addition to fiduciary best practices, we provide services to assist plan sponsors with ERISA compliance, investment strategy and employee education for their retirement plans.

At the core of our 401k philosophy is the belief that lower investment expenses will likely result in better long-term investment returns -- and more retirement savings for plan participants. For this reason, we offer an independent, fee-based approach to investment selection and tend to prefer low-cost institutional funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) versus higher-priced, commission-based mutual funds. We use a strict investment screening process that considers the entire universe of mutual funds and ETFs to determine which of the 27,000 plus choices can meet our high standards for performance, low-cost and fiduciary excellence. We generally find that less than 5% of that universe will meet our strict criteria!

Our 401k Advisory team includes an Accredited Investment Fiduciary providing contracted fiduciary services (as defined under ERISA Sect. 3(21)(a)(ii)) to our clients, relieving them of some of the burden of complying with ERISA and IRS regulations. Our own internal investment committee, headed by a Chartered Financial Analyst, carefully studies investment options, portfolio strategies and market trends to deliver quality advice to our plan sponsors and their participants. We also offer the option of a Fiduciary Investment Advisor to help plan participants at no additional cost.

Our goal is to help you build a better 401k plan by establishing fiduciary best practices through ongoing fiduciary analytics and assessments, research-based investment advisory services, periodic investment monitoring, fee transparency and employee education. "It's a whole new way to look at 401k!"

ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value, and may trade at prices above or below the ETF's net asset value (NAV). Upon redemption, the value of fund shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. ETFs carry additional risks such as not being diversified, possible trading halts, and index tracking errors.

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal or investment advice. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.