As a responsible retirement plan sponsor, you may occasionally wonder if there's a different retirement plan provider that's more beneficial to your employees and your organization. In fact, as a fiduciary, you should consistently review what your plan needs are, what you currently receive in terms of services, the amount you pay for those services, and what else is out there on the market. Before you do any legwork, and certainly before you make any decisions, it’s important to formulate a game plan because no two plan providers are exactly alike, and there are no "cookie cutter" solutions.
Should I change my retirement plan's provider?
Before considering other providers, carefully review your current situation. Clearly identify and understand why you’re unhappy with your plan and its services, as well as the improvements you're looking for going forward.
While your list of negatives might include overall cost, do not let the bottom-line number fool you into thinking that paying less is getting more. Comparing plan providers based exclusively on fees does not provide a clear snapshot of what you’re getting for the money.
Read more: How to evaluate a 401(k) plan provider
How to choose a retirement plan provider
A recordkeeper is a key component to the success of your retirement plan, and choosing the right one for your business is about so much more than just the offering and fees. Instead of choosing a new retirement plan provider based solely on cost, find out what prospective providers offer in terms of:
- Fee amounts and structure
- Recordkeeping experience
- Services and design features
- Fiduciary support
- Investment options
- Financial advisor support
- Plan sponsor and participant customer experience and support
Retirement plan recordkeepers have a laundry list of responsibilities but some may be more focused on quality service and support than others, so it’s important to consider all of the items above when evaluating a new retirement plan provider.
Converting a retirement plan to a new provider
Perhaps your research has revealed it’s time to make a change...now what?
When a plan sponsor decides to transfer a plan, they will be required to review and complete paperwork on their current plan to share between the old and new providers.There may also be a surrender fee, or a transfer/termination fee, that the plan sponsor is obligated to pay to make the transition to a new provider.
As part of the provider change, a plan sponsor may also decide to make changes to the plan design.Most documents allow changes to the plan provisions to be made at any time, but these changes usually require plan amendments—and some may be subject to regulatory and notice requirements before becoming effective.The plan sponsor should have conversations with the old and new service providers about anticipated plan design changes to determine if there could be any potential issues.
Along with the fees related to the switch, it’s imperative that plan sponsors understand the parameters around timing. Changes in plan design must align with the changes to the plan document, and investment changes may have to be timed with notice and “black out” period requirements. The timing of the transition and of compliance testing from one service provider to another should be established.
Proceed with caution when making plan design changes to avoid any issues with anti-cutback rules—
often, timing is everything.
Do retirement plan sponsors have to tell participants that they are changing providers?
Plan sponsors are under no obligation to consult with or receive approval from employees to switch retirement plan providers. However, in keeping with the spirit of being a partner in their retirement journey, it’s advisable to educate participants about the transition and set expectations about its potential impact. Sharing as much information as possible prior to the switch will make it easier for everyone.
Plan sponsors can arrive at the decision to change retirement plan providers for any number of reasons, but at the end of the day, you want to do what’s best for your business and your employees. You’ll feel better about the ending outcome if you make sure you’ve done your due diligence and kept the big picture in mind throughout the entire process.
When looking for a new retirement plan provider, there’s a lot to consider. If you have any questions along the way, Ascensus is here to help. We have a variety of retirement plan offerings and features available to help you craft a plan that truly fits your needs. Call us at 800-345-6363 to learn more about changing your retirement plan provider.
