Sponsoring a retirement plan is one of the most meaningful things you can do for your employees’ futures — and one of the most consequential obligations you carry as an employer. Most plan sponsors and their ERISA attorneys share the same concerns: Your fiduciary liability is higher if there is no independent oversight, no dedicated investment advisor, no clear fiduciary process. That’s where we come in.
A clear and defensible policy and properly maintained Investment
Policy Statement is a foundational tool many plans lack.
Independent, unbiased expertise for better outcomes for fiduciaries and plan participants. A prudent, documented, defensible process is the best insurance policy and shows you’re doing the right thing.
Monitoring and better access and negotiations on your behalf where possible to ensure plan fees are reasonable and competitive.
We accept fiduciary status in writing, agreeing to act only in the best interests of you as fiduciaries and that of plan participants.
Best-practice menu options and support that helps participants make better savings and investment decisions.
Plan design and employee education that support your employee’s retirement readiness.
The companies we serve care deeply about their employees’ financial futures, while also making smart business decisions about time and money. You may be a strong fit if you want to:
Every company has different needs. Our tiered service model ensures you get the right level of guidance from comprehensive, customized fiduciary support to efficient, streamlined oversight. The table below outlines what’s included at each level.
| Feature | MAX SERVICE Higher touch & custom Typical size: $10m+ | STANDARD SERVICE Medium touch Typical size: $2-10m | BASIC SERVICE/WATCHDOG No or Low touch Typical size: <$10m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Step Fiduciary Process | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Yes, but client implements |
| Fiduciary Education | ✔︎ Live or video recording | ✔︎ Video recording | ✔︎ Video recording |
| Fulfill Fiduciary Responsibility* | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Reduce Fiduciary Liability* | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Avoid 401(k) Product Company Conflicts | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Structure Design & Problem Solving | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Projects if larger scope | ✔︎ Project options available |
| Live Fiduciary Support as needed | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | X |
| Sample Minutes & Committee Charter | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ |
| Investment Policy Statement | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Standardized, with options |
| Custom TDF/TAF or Vanguard TDF | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Vanguard TDF only |
| Individual Asset Class Options | ✔︎ Options, but not recommended | ✔︎ Options, but not recommended | ✔︎ Options, but not recommended |
| Funds Selected by Plan Sponsor | ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors | ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors | ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors |
| Work w/Record-keeper to Support Plan Design | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Limited | X |
| Plan Transition Support | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Limited | ✔︎ Via Record-keeper only |
| Record-keeper Recommendations | ✔︎ Vetted list or paid search | ✔︎ Vetted List | ✔︎ Vetted list or client choice |
| Fiduciary & Participant Reports | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ Standardized*** |
| Fiduciary Committee Meetings | ✔︎ 2-4/year customized | ✔︎ 1-2/year | ✔︎ One-to-many video |
| Employee Education | ✔︎ Custom, in-person or live video | ✔︎ Semi-custom, live video | ✔︎ Standardized video recording |
| WealthStep.com Participant Advice | Release expected 2027** | Release expected 2027 | Release expected 2027 |
| Advisory Fee | $25k minimum | $10k or 15k min.*** | $2k if <$2m plan size $4k if $2k-$5m $6k if >$5-$10m $8k if >$5m-$10m |
TDF = Target Date Funds. TAF = Target Allocation Funds. For all service engagements, The Advisory Group serves as an ERISA Section 3(38) investment manager which simplifies the job of plan sponsor fiduciaries and reduces liability. Custom TDF’s require recordkeepers to have the proper technology and utilized a standardized custom glidepath. Pricing is annual. Max and Standard service fees are based on a tiered fee schedule, inquire for details. For Basic/Watchdog fee if plan >$10m inquire for details. RK = Outside record-keeper, separate fee.
*Plan Sponsor fiduciaries also have responsibilities outside of advisory engagement. **WealthStep.com pricing to be announced when released. ***Standard Service level custom TDF minimum fee $15k. ***Optional reporting for Basic/Watchdog service if plan sponsor adds non-Watchdog menu options: Additional $2k/year for basic reporting table.
| MAX SERVICE Higher touch & custom Typical size: $10m+ |
|---|
| 5-Step Fiduciary Process |
| ✔︎ |
| Fiduciary Education |
| ✔︎ Live or video recording |
| Fulfill Fiduciary Responsibility* |
| ✔︎ |
| Reduce Fiduciary Liability* |
| ✔︎ |
| Avoid 401(k) Product Company Conflicts |
| ✔︎ |
| Structure Design & Problem Solving |
| ✔︎ |
| Live Fiduciary Support as needed |
| ✔︎ |
| Sample Minutes & Committee Charter |
| ✔︎ |
| Investment Policy Statement |
| ✔︎ |
| Custom TDF/TAF or Vanguard TDF |
| ✔︎ |
| Individual Asset Class Options |
| ✔︎ Options, but not recommended |
| Funds Selected by Plan Sponsor |
| ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors |
| Work w/Record-keeper to Support Plan Design |
| ✔︎ |
| Plan Transition Support |
| ✔︎ |
| Record-keeper Recommendations |
| ✔︎ Vetted list or paid search |
| Fiduciary & Participant Reports |
| ✔︎ |
| Fiduciary Committee Meetings |
| ✔︎ 2-4/year customized |
| Employee Education |
| ✔︎ Custom, in-person or live video |
| Advisory Fee |
| ✔︎ $25k minimum |
| STANDARD SERVICE Medium touch Typical size: $2-10m |
|---|
| 5-Step Fiduciary Process |
| ✔︎ |
| Fiduciary Education |
| ✔︎ Video recording |
| Fulfill Fiduciary Responsibility* |
| ✔︎ |
| Reduce Fiduciary Liability* |
| ✔︎ |
| Avoid 401(k) Product Company Conflicts |
| ✔︎ |
| Structure Design & Problem Solving |
| ✔︎ Projects if larger scope |
| Live Fiduciary Support as needed |
| ✔︎ |
| Sample Minutes & Committee Charter |
| ✔︎ |
| Investment Policy Statement |
| ✔︎ |
| Custom TDF/TAF or Vanguard TDF |
| ✔︎ |
| Individual Asset Class Options |
| ✔︎ Options, but not recommended |
| Funds Selected by Plan Sponsor |
| ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors |
| Work w/Record-keeper to Support Plan Design |
| ✔︎ Limited |
| Plan Transition Support |
| ✔︎ Limited |
| Record-keeper Recommendations |
| ✔︎ Vetted List |
| Fiduciary & Participant Reports |
| ✔︎ |
| Fiduciary Committee Meetings |
| ✔︎ 1-2/year |
| Employee Education |
| ✔︎ Semi-custom, live video |
| Advisory Fee |
| ✔︎ $10k or 15k min.** |
| BASIC SERVICE/WATCHDOG No or Low touch Typical size: <$10m |
|---|
| 5-Step Fiduciary Process |
| ✔︎ Yes, but client implements |
| Fiduciary Education |
| ✔︎ Video recording |
| Fulfill Fiduciary Responsibility* |
| ✔︎ |
| Reduce Fiduciary Liability* |
| ✔︎ |
| Avoid 401(k) Product Company Conflicts |
| ✔︎ |
| Structure Design & Problem Solving |
| ✔︎ Project options available |
| Live Fiduciary Support as needed |
| X |
| Sample Minutes & Committee Charter |
| ✔︎ |
| Investment Policy Statement |
| ✔︎ Standardized, with options |
| Custom TDF/TAF or Vanguard TDF |
| ✔︎ Vanguard TDF only |
| Individual Asset Class Options |
| ✔︎ Options, but not recommended |
| Funds Selected by Plan Sponsor |
| ✔︎ Optional, but not recommended and client selects/monitors |
| Work w/Record-keeper to Support Plan Design |
| X |
| Plan Transition Support |
| ✔︎ Via Record-keeper only |
| Record-keeper Recommendations |
| ✔︎ Vetted list or client choice |
| Fiduciary & Participant Reports |
| ✔︎ Standardized |
| Fiduciary Committee Meetings |
| ✔︎ One-to-many video |
| Employee Education |
| ✔︎ Standardized video recording |
| Advisory Fee |
| $2k if <$2m plan size $4k if $2k-$5m $6k if $5-$10m $8k if $5m-$10m |
TDF = Target Date Funds. TAF = Target Allocation Funds. For all service engagements, The Advisory Group serves as an ERISA Section 3(38) investment manager which simplifies the job of plan sponsor fiduciaries and reduces liability. Custom TDF’s require recordkeepers to have the proper technology and utilized a standardized custom glidepath. Pricing is annual. Max and Standard service fees are based on a tiered fee schedule, inquire for details. For Basic/Watchdog fee if plan >$10m inquire for details. RK = Outside record-keeper, separate fee.
*Plan Sponsor fiduciaries also have responsibilities outside of advisory engagement. **Standard Service level custom TDF minimum fee $15k. ***Optional reporting for Basic/Watchdog service if plan sponsor adds non-Watchdog menu options: Additional $2k/year for basic reporting table.
A native San Francisco firm serving plan sponsors nationwide
Specializing in $10M–50M+, with options for smaller plans
Professional services, healthcare, non-profits, family-owned businesses and others