The evolution of retirement plan administration has been startling. Just five short years ago, outsourcing defined benefit pension plan administration was written off as too costly, cumbersome and confusing. Today, plan sponsors of almost any size can outsource not only
401(k) administration, but most other benefit services, as well.

But how can you determine if outsourcing is right for your organization? Which plans should be in-sourced, out-sourced or co-sourced? And, if out-sourcing proves feasible, how should an organization approach evaluating and selecting vendors? Finally, and possibly, most importantly, how and when should retirement plan assets - defined contribution and/or defined benefit - factor into your decision process?

Regardless of where you are in your evaluation, PFE can help.

Our Experience

PFE has over eight years experience assisting clients with the evaluation and implementation of outsourcing strategies. We start by learning your business objectives and employee demographics. Next, using our considerable vendor search experience and knowledge of your specific retirement, compensation and benefit programs, recommend an effective and efficient outsourcing solution.

Our past projects have included many traditional and non-traditional search assignments:

• IRC 401(k), 401(a), 403(b), 457(b), 457(f)
• Money Purchase, Profit Sharing, New Comparability, ESOP
• Pension (traditional, cash balance, pension equity); active and frozen; non-bargained and bargained
• Pension Actuarial
• Retiree Health Care
• Employee Stock Purchase Plans (IRC 423)
• Executive Financial Planning
• Credit Union (corporate sponsored)

Our Process

• Evaluate your organization's current retirement benefits, administrative environment, costs (external and internal) and qualify your outsourcing needs,
• Educate and advise plan fiduciaries on administration options, vendors, potential cost savings, etc.,
• Establish vendor search criteria and qualified vendor universe,
• Prepare Request for Proposals (RFP) and evaluate submissions,
• Analyze current and potential investment options (and strategies) for defined contribution and defined benefit plans,
• Negotiate fee and service arrangements, and
• Provide conversion and employee communication/education support.

With our backgrounds in retirement plan design, employee benefits administration, investment analysis, personal financial planning and education, The PFE Group is uniquely qualified to handle almost any search assignment.

Click here to contact us.