All Resources

CoPilot Individual(k): 401(k) Plans for Owner-Only Business Clients

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

CoPilot 3(38) Individual(k)

CoPilot 3(38) is a streamlined retirement plan solution built for owner-only businesses. It combines automated plan administration with 3(38) fiduciary investment management, helping reduce oversight responsibilities. Advisors can offer clients a professionally monitored plan aligned to small business needs.

Daily Value Individual(k): Help Small Business Clients Maximize Retirement Savings

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Daily Value Individual(k)

Daily Value Individual(k) is a retirement plan option built for owner-only businesses that want daily valuation and broad investment access. With streamlined administration and an open-architecture investment platform, this 401(k) solution supports a flexible approach to managing investments for owner-only clients. 

Balance Forward Individual(k): Flexible Owner-Only 401(k) Plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Non-Daily Value (Balance Forward) Individual(k)

The Balance Forward Individual(k) is a flexible solution for owner-only business clients that want full control over how their retirement assets are invested. With this option, clients manage their account directly through their broker-dealer, while Ascensus provides the plan documents, compliance support, and recordkeeping services.

CoPilot Individual(k) featuring American Funds: Streamlined Solutions for Advisors

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

CoPilot Individual(k) featuring American Funds Advisor Overview

Explore how CoPilot Individual(k) with American Funds gives you a turnkey retirement solution tailored for owner-only clients. With no asset minimums, transparent pricing, and a professionally managed investment lineup, this plan makes it easy to offer a high-quality 401(k) option while reducing the administrative lift in your practice.

CoPilot Individual(k) featuring American Funds: Benefits for Small Business Clients

Employer education · Plan design & capabilities · Article

CoPilot Individual(k) featuring American Funds Client Benefits

Use this resource to help small business clients understand the value of CoPilot Individual(k) with American Funds. With a curated investment lineup, transparent pricing, and streamlined administration, this overview explains how the plan works and why it may be a good fit for owner-only businesses looking for a professionally supported retirement plan.

Navigating NQDC Plan Enrollment: Key Considerations for Advisors

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

NQDC Plan Key Considerations

Guiding clients through Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan enrollment requires a careful review of several important factors. As an advisor, you can add significant value by helping plan sponsors and participants understand the complexities of these plans, including recent regulatory changes.

This guide provides key considerations to help you support your clients during this critical period, ensuring they can make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.

Why financing NQDC plans with corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) makes sense

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Boost NQDC Value with COLI

Financial advisors seeking to deliver more value to plan sponsors while diversifying their own business can leverage COLI as a financing solution for nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans, without disrupting their existing recordkeeping relationship. 

How advisors can increase nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan participation during enrollment

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Help Clients Increase NQDC Participation

Advisors play a key role during NQDC plan enrollment, which can be a critical time for plan sponsors. Despite their many benefits, participation rates in NQDC plans remain low (typically 20–25%*), often due to limited employee understanding. This creates a valuable opportunity for you to support your clients by educating employees and helping drive stronger engagement.

How advisors can help clients get the most out of nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Evaluating NQDC Providers to Optimize Outcomes

Grow your advisory business by learning how to guide clients in selecting and optimizing nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans for retention and growth.

Benefits of Reviewing Clients’ Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) Plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Why Review Clients’ NQDC Plans?

Discover how providing a free plan diagnostic for employers offering nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans can help grow your business.  NQDC plan reviews can identify issues with the sponsor’s current plan and help them decide to change providers.

Debunking Common Myths About Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) Plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Debunking Common NQDC Myths

Learn the truth behind common myths about nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans and how advisors can use them to grow their business.

Benefits of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans for Clients

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Enhancing Executive Benefits with NQDC

Help clients navigate tax burdens and enhance their retirement savings with nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans, which complement traditional 401(k) offerings by providing higher-earning employees with competitive retirement packages. Discover the advantages of pairing NQDC plans with safe harbor 401(k) plans to meet your clients' unique needs.

How Advisors Can Maximize Client Engagement Using the Latest Compensation, Retirement, and Benefits Insights

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Insights

Compensation, Retirement, and Benefits Trends Report

In an uncertain economic landscape, balancing compensation, retirement, and benefits programs is crucial for clients looking to attract and retain talent. Leverage insights from Ascensus' annual Compensation, Retirement, and Benefits Trends Report to guide your clients in understanding their program’s competitive position and making informed decisions for the year ahead.

2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report: Enhance Your NQDC Program, Boost Executive Retention, and Stay Competitive

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Insights

2024 Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC Trends Survey Report

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.

Maximize Nonqualified Plans with COLI: Tax-Efficient Funding for Key Talent

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Boost NQDC Plans with COLI

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. 

Annual Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Retirement Plans

Engage Clients · Participant education · Information Guide

Annual COLAs for Retirement Plans

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.

How Workplace Retirement Plans Can Accelerate Your Advisory Practice Growth

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Workplace Retirement Plans: Distraction or Accelerator?

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

Enhancing Retirement Plans: Applying NQDC Solutions to Overcome 401(k) Testing Challenges

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Resolving 401(k) Testing Issues with NQDC Plans

Help your clients navigate nondiscrimination testing issues with their 401(k) plans by recommending Nonqualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans and guiding them through the benefits of these plans.

What are the Best Retirement Plans for Clients Beyond a 401(k)?

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Selling Beyond the 401(k)

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.