All Resources

Dive into the key factors to consider when evaluating a 401(k) plan provider, ensuring that the chosen recordkeeper aligns with client needs and business goals. From understanding fee structures to assessing customer service, learn what to look for when evaluating providers to make informed decisions that benefit your clients and their employees. 

Help clients choose the right retirement plan provider by comparing key factors beyond fees to ensure better service and participant engagement. 

Help clients understand the costs associated with their retirement plans, ensuring they choose the best provider for their business. 

Help clients understand the costs associated with their retirement plans, ensuring they choose the best provider for their business. 

Help clients evaluate retirement plan providers using a comprehensive checklist to ensure they choose the best fit for their business needs.

Discover the importance of viewing service providers as partners to enhance client service and achieve better outcomes.

Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Improve the tax season experience for your clients by aligning planning and tax preparation through a stronger collaboration with a CPA.

At some point, every advisor runs into a situation that crosses into tax territory. A business sale. A big liquidity event. A client income picture that keeps changing year to year. You can clearly see the investment strategy. But the tax side is layered and nuanced. That’s where a strong CPA relationship can make a real difference.

You don’t need to be a tax expert. In fact, trying to be a “jack of all trades” can introduce risk and dilute your value. Clients don’t expect you to do everything, but they do expect you to build the right team around them.

A CPA advisory collaboration brings investment strategy and tax planning together in a way that feels more complete, more thoughtful, and more aligned to the client’s full financial picture.

In today’s competitive financial advisory market, offering strong investment strategies alone may not be enough to differentiate your practice. Employers are increasingly seeking advisors who offer holistic retirement plan solutions—plans that not only manage assets but also enhance employee engagement and encourage healthier financial habits.

Pooled employer plans (PEPs) are a type of retirement plan designed specifically to eliminate some of the barriers that have traditionally kept smaller businesses from offering a retirement savings plan, and make it easier for more Americans to participate in an employer sponsored retirement plan. 

Recent changes in the nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan landscape present new opportunities for employers. Tap into the latest trends—and use them to your advantage.

Discover the untapped potential of small business retirement plans and learn how these plans can expand your advisory practice to drive growth.

Discover how Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) can enhance nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Learn how COLI offers tax advantages, reduces plan costs, and supports long-term financial security for your clients. 

Help clients maximize the effectiveness of their bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) programs with these six best practices. Learn how to structure a BOLI program, understand regulatory and tax rules, review due diligence procedures, verify credit quality, monitor market conditions, and find a comprehensive provider.

Join the Elite Advisor program to enhance your advisory practice and reward your commitment to quality, transparency, and service excellence. This exclusive program offers advanced support, dedicated service, and unique opportunities to help you scale your business, position yourself as an expert, and grow your client base. 

Explore the concept of "getting there" both personally and professionally, and how it aligns with helping clients achieve their retirement goals. 
 
Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Learn how partnering with the right service provider can provide the expertise needed to grow your advisory practice.

Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Learn how effective communication and partnership can transform retirement plan engagement and employee morale. 

Leverage advanced technology, expert insights, and comprehensive plan solutions to drive efficiency, improve outcomes, and amplify your retirement practice with Ascensus.

Enhance your advisory practice with the Elite Advisor program, offering exceptional support, advanced tools, and expanded opportunities to drive growth and client satisfaction. 

Address common employer concerns about starting a retirement plan and learn solutions to overcome them. 

With high interest rates persisting over the past few years, it's crucial for advisors to review and enhance clients' Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) policies to improve performance, credit, and risk-weight characteristics. Learn two proven strategies to help your clients optimize their BOLI portfolios.

Discover how integrating retirement plans into your practice can enhance client relationships, capitalize on growing demand, and protect your business from competitors

Help retirement plan sponsors understand their fiduciary responsibilities, positioning yourself as an essential advisor and resource. 

Your growing retirement plan business requires actionable insights to inform client meetings, drive strategy, and demonstrate value to your clients. Explore the benefits of becoming an Elite Advisor—access a holistic view of your business, complete with analytics and recommendations for improved results.

Learn how BOLI programs can help clients offset employee benefit expenses, achieve higher returns, and improve credit characteristics, and discover how partnering with an expert in institutional insurances can help you navigate the complexities of BOLI while growing your long-term, sustainable revenue.

Help clients understand the power of targeted messaging to improve retirement savings outcomes. Guide clients through the use of behavioral finance principles and A/B testing to create effective participant communications.

Help your clients understand how behavioral interventions can prompt smarter financial decisions among retirement plan participants. 

Scale your retirement plan business efficiently by recommending pooled employer plans (PEPs) to clients, leveraging economies of scale and simplified administration.

For financial advisors, recommending sophisticated retirement plans beyond the standard 401(k) can unlock significant growth for your practice and provide superior value to your clients.

Proactively recommending options beyond the 401(k) helps you build stronger, long-term client relationships and defend against competitors. This guide explores four powerful retirement plan solutions to expand the possibilities for your small business clients.

Expand your advisory practice by integrating retirement plans, leveraging the SECURE 2.0 Act and state mandates to meet growing demand and enhance client relationships.

Through Ascensus, advisors can offer a fully integrated financial wellness program powered by Financial Finesse. This holistic financial wellness benefits program combines retirement plan administration with fundamental financial education and coaching. It is designed to help improve employee financial well-being by addressing daily finances, such as debt and budgeting, so they can save more effectively for retirement.

SEP and SIMPLE IRAs offers small businesses an easy, affordable way to provide retirement benefits without the administrative complexity of a 401(k). These plans give you straightforward options to support clients who want low-cost setup, predictable responsibilities, and valuable tax advantages.

Financial advisors often guide small business owners through critical decisions about retirement plans. Understanding the differences between SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k)s can help you recommend the best option based on business size, budget, and growth goals.

Help clients navigate state-mandated retirement programs and explore alternative qualified plan options to meet their business needs. 

Help clients understand Virginia's state-mandated retirement program and educate them on the key features of the program as well as available alternatives. 

Help clients in Vermont understand and comply with state mandated retirement plan requirements and deadlines. 

Help clients in Oregon understand their state's retirement mandates and explore alternative solutions that meet both satisfy legal requirements and align with clients' needs. 

Help your clients in New York navigate the state's retirement mandates and explore alternative plan options to satisfy mandates and meet their business goals. 

Help clients understand the necessity of state-mandated retirement plans and explore their options to comply with these mandates.

Help clients understand California's CalSavers Retirement Savings Program and explore alternative options to satisfy state mandate requirements.

Help clients understand the Illinois Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program and explore alternative options to meet their retirement plan needs. 

Help your clients in Minnesota navigate the state's mandated retirement program and discover alternative solutions that not only satisfy legal requirements but also align with their business goals. 

Help clients understand California's retirement state mandate requirements and explore the best solutions to meet their business needs.

Help clients understand Colorado's retirement state mandates and explore alternative solutions that may fit their needs.

Help your clients in Maryland understand the state's mandated retirement program and explore alternative solutions that satisfy both the mandate and their business needs. 

Help clients in Nevada understand the state's mandated retirement program and explore alternative solutions that satisfy legal requirements and meet their business goals. 

Help clients in New Jersey understand the state's mandated retirement program and explore alternative solutions that satisfy the legal requirements. 

Help clients understand Connecticut's state retirement program and explore the alternative solutions to satisfy the mandate.

Help clients understand requirements under Delaware's retirement state mandated program and explore the best solutions to meet their business needs.

Help clients understand Hawaii's state-mandated retirement program and explore the alternative solutions to satisfy the mandates as well as meet their business needs.

Help clients understand Illinois' state-mandated retirement program and educate them on the key features and benefits of the program as well as available alternatives.

Help clients navigate Maine's retirement state mandate and understand alternative plan options, ensuring compliance with the mandates.

Explore how cost of living adjustments (COLAs) impact contribution limits and the operations of qualified retirement plans, SEP plans, and SIMPLE plans. Learn about the annual adjustments required by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code and how they affect your clients' retirement planning.

Compare various retirement plan options to find the best fit for your clients, considering factors like eligibility, contributions, and administrative responsibilities.

Find the right plan for your client with our small business plans overview.

Help your clients understand the new penalty-free distribution option for emergency expenses, including eligibility and benefits of the provision, introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act. 

Help your clients navigate the changes to the required minimum distribution (RMD) age introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act.