401k TV has launched a newly designed 401k resource center to serve the needs of plan sponsors and other retirement industry professionals at its web site www.401ktv.com . The initial launch of the 401k TV resource center includes:
- an up-to-date and comprehensive glossary of 401k industry terms,
- a list of leading national 401k record keepers and other defined contribution record keepers,
- a list of 401k broker dealers and registered investment advisors,
- a comprehensive, 28-page whitepaper from the DCIIA that reviews the most common investments for 401k plans and other defined contribution plans,
- a 401k advisor directory containing hundreds of 401k plan and other defined contribution plan advisors that have attained the Certified 401k Professional (C(k)P) designation,
- link to an Advisor RFP platform where plan sponsors can start a request-for-proposal process to find a new 401k advisor or benchmark an existing relationship,
- links to educational programs and continuing 401k education (CE) and earn SHRM and other credits through our affiliates at the Plan Sponsor University
401k Glossary – A glossary of over 100 common…and not so common, terms used in the 401k and other defined contribution businesses.
401k record keepers – There are hundreds of companies that provide record keeping services to 401k plans but only 37 that provide service nationally. 401kTV, in cooperation with affiliates TRAU (The Retirement Advisor University) and TPSU (The Plan Sponsor University), has compiled the only complete and current list of national record keepers (see Resource Guide) with the markets they serve by plan size as well as their distribution and service models.
401k Broker dealers and 401k registered investment advisors list – There are various types of national Broker dealers (BDs) and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) including:
- Wire Houses and Employee Based –Reps are employees rather than independent contractors.
- Insurance – Also employee based, this group has emerged from traditional life insurance agencies.
- Independents – Advisors are independent contractors.
- Specialty Groups – Some are BDs, some are RIAs and other are just groups that have emerged to focus on supporting DC plan advisors.
401k Investment Whitepaper – The study provides some useful reference information such as : how certain investments operate and the differences between account types. It also tracks the aggregate composition of a plan’s investment distribution which shows parties how they match against the industry overall.
The Advisor Directory – The Directory lists professional Retirement Plan Advisors who have satisfied Education, Asset Management, Experience and Learning requirements associated with earning the C(k)P Designation, The Certified 401(k) Professional.
The C(k)P Designation is conferred by The Retirement Advisor University, a collaboration with UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education.
Earning the C(k)P Designation represents a significant achievement for the professional retirement plan advisor. This comprehensive and highly specialized certification program requires academic aptitude, real-world experience and an application of core competencies.
The Advisor RFP Platform – Since searching for a 401(k) service provider is not an annual event, the task of sending out a Request for Proposal remains a laborious time consuming process which causes plan fiduciaries and plan trustees to pause, ponder, and procrastinate.
- What should I ask?
- Who should I send it to?
- Have I provided sufficient background on our company plan?
- Who did I fail to invite to bid?
- What did I forget to ask?
The Plan Sponsor University (TPSU), offers the most comprehensive combination of online and in-person workplace retirement plan certification program for business owners, benefits specialists or other employer fiduciaries with half-day programs held at local colleges and universities around the country. In 2015, TPSU will conduct almost 70 programs.
