All Resources

Boost your PEP efforts with ready-to-use marketing campaigns, designed to help you win new business with minimal effort. 

Boost your prospecting and conversion efforts with a ready-to-use marketing campaign, designed to save time and enhance engagement.

Show your clients the impact of our flat-dollar approach to recordkeeping fees on their plan fees and market value over time. Use our pricing calculator to create a custom illustration that demonstrates the plan value, and compare Ascensus plan pricing with current plan pricing to highlight potential savings and improved asset growth.

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.

Explore how advisors can make a significant impact on clients' financial journeys through personalized guidance and support. 
 
 Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Use the SECURE 2.0 Tax Credit Calculator to prospect small business clients by demonstrating potential tax credits available for sponsoring a retirement plan.

Use these tips to encourage younger generations to start saving for retirement — enhancing your advisory practice and fostering long-term client relationships. 

Help clients find simple opportunities to save more money, positioning yourself as a supportive and effective advisor.

Enhance your advisory practice by bridging the financial literacy gap among clients, positioning yourself as a valuable resource and trusted advisor. 

Boost your financial advisory practice by dedicating a few hours each week to marketing activities, leveraging community engagement, social media, and thought leadership content.

Guide clients to stay on track with their retirement savings goals, fostering retirement confidence and long-term financial success. 

Learn how writing effective prospecting emails—focusing on client needs and establishing value—can help you grow your 401(k) business.

Help your clients confidently navigate their investment journey by understanding and managing their risk tolerance, positioning yourself as their trusted financial guide.

Expand your book of business by leveraging easy prospecting methods and partnering with specialized providers to offer 401(k) plans to clients.

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.

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.

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) 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. 

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.

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.

Help your clients enhance employee financial well-being with Financial Wellness Essentials. This program offers personalized coaching, education tools, and engagement strategies that support long-term retirement readiness and help employees build financial resilience.

The Raymond James CoPilot 3(38) 401(k) solution helps you strengthen your advisory role by pairing 3(38) investment oversight with streamlined plan administration. With Raymond James managing investment selection and Ascensus providing recordkeeping and compliance support, you can offer clients a 401(k) plan that reinforces your value as a trusted partner to small business clients.

Use this resource to help clients understand the value of the Raymond James CoPilot 3(38) 401(k). This turnkey solution simplifies plan management, provides professional 3(38) investment oversight, and offers employees access to a well-supported retirement plan experience.

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.

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.

To maintain a competitive edge in your practice and deliver lasting value, integrating innovative wealth strategies with retirement-focused solutions is essential. Addressing both immediate and long-term goals strengthens client relationships, while also highlighting your expertise in comprehensive financial planning. This dual approach not only enhances client outcomes but also positions your practice as a reliable partner in navigating the complexities of financial and retirement strategies.

Streamline your investment management process with Ascensus’ exclusive Investment Change Manager (ICM), a powerful online tool built for financial advisors.  ICM gives financial advisors complete control over fund changes across multiple plans, transforming complex administrative tasks into simple, compliant workflows.  Designed to save time and enhance transparency, ICM helps you build stronger client relationships while improving operational efficiency.

Discover actionable insights to help you strengthen plan performance and deliver more value to your clients. This recorded webinar offers practical strategies for retirement advisors and plan sponsors focused on driving growth and improving outcomes.

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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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.

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.

Help clients understand the implications of IRS Notice 2024-02 and unpack the new Roth employer contribution rules, including key distinctions from in-plan Roth conversions. Learn how these updates may impact plan design, tax planning strategies, and client conversations around retirement savings. 

Help clients understand how to use de minimis financial incentives to boost retirement plan participation under IRS Notice 2024-02. Explore eligibility rules, tax treatment, and open questions surrounding third-party incentives. 

Help clients understand the new terminal illness penalty exception under IRS Notice 2024-02, including how it differs from other early distribution provisions, current limitations, tax implications, and expected regulatory updates. 

Help clients take full advantage of SECURE 2.0’s enhanced tax credits with insights from IRS Notice 2024-02. Explore eligibility rules and planning opportunities for startup cost, employer contributions, and military spouse participation credits. 

Help clients navigate midyear SIMPLE IRA terminations under IRS Notice 2024-02, including key compliance steps and contribution limits when transitioning to a Safe Harbor 401(k). Learn more about the IRS’s guidance on documentation, rollover rules, and contribution coordination during the plan switch. 

Help clients understand how IRS Notice 2024-02 clarifies automatic enrollment requirements under SECURE 2.0, including how plan establishment dates, mergers, and spin-offs affect compliance. Explore what qualifies as a pre-enactment plan and how these rules apply to 401(k), 403(b), and starter plans. 

Help clients navigate the latest IRS guidance on elective deferral failures and explore how Notice 2024-02 makes the safe harbor correction method permanent under SECURE 2.0. Learn how this impacts plan sponsors’ correction strategies and what advisors need to know when guiding clients through compliance. 

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 your clients drive success with employer-sponsored retirement plans. This comprehensive guide equips advisors with the tools to support their clients in creating and managing effective retirement plans, helping employees financially prepare for the future while enhancing business outcomes. 

Help clients navigate the decision between state-facilitated retirement programs and other qualified retirement plans by guiding them through the benefits and considerations of each option. 

Help clients understand the impact of SECURE 2.0 on long-term part-time (LTPT) employees and guide them through eligibility rules, ensuring compliance with new regulations. 

Help clients understand and leverage the SECURE 2.0 Act to establish effective retirement plans, guiding them through the incentives and benefits for both business success and employee financial well-being. 

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. 

Explore a range of managed account options to enhance your advisory services and meet your clients' diverse needs. Learn about key factors to consider — including fees, advice models, and rebalancing frequencies — and discover how our independence and strategic relationships provide you with the flexibility to offer tailored investment solutions. 

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

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.

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.

Explore how CoPilot 3(38) retirement plans can save you time and help grow your business with streamlined, transparent pricing and low-cost investment menus. Ascensus offers two CoPilot 401(k) retirement plans—traditional and Individual(k)^™—that are cost-effective and ease the investment and administrative burden of managing a 401(k) plan. 

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. 

Watch how dedicated service teams can enhance client relationships and achieve retirement plan 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.

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.

Learn how advisors can transform retirement plan participation rates through strategic planning and personalized support. 
 
 Our Advisor Stories series showcases real-world insights and strategies from successful advisors.

Discover how advisors leverage service partnerships to deliver intuitive technology and expert support, enhancing retirement plan experiences for both companies and employees. 
 
 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. 

Discover how PEPs can help advisors grow their business by leveraging economies of scale, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing participant outcomes. 

Learn how advisors can launch their own branded PEPs to increase brand awareness and grow their retirement practice.

Explore how advisors can use PEPs to collaborate with Centers of Influence for cross-selling and expanding their business.

Learn how advisors can use PEPs to increase profit margins by improving efficiencies and reducing costs.

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. 

Give your clients the support and protection they need with Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services. Our support for day-to-day plan management and routine monitoring creates efficiencies for clients, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

Help clients explore the tax credits available under the SECURE 2.0 Act, including eligibility criteria and potential savings, using the Tax Credit Calculator.

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

Scale your business by offering Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) and Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs), which reduce administrative and financial burdens for employers.

Help your clients navigate the new automatic enrollment requirements for retirement plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act. 

Help clients understand the new tax credit for including military spouses in their employer-sponsored retirement plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act, guiding them through eligibility criteria and benefits.

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.

Understand what retirement plan sponsors look for in a financial advisor to effectively showcase your value and grow your business.

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.

Help your clients understand the improved coverage and new eligibility rules for long-term part-time (LTPT) employees under the SECURE 2.0 Act.

Explore the benefits and features of the Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP, which offers an affordable, customizable retirement solution for advisors and their clients.

Enhance your advisory practice by offering payroll integrated 401(k) solutions, streamlining processes for clients and increasing your revenue streams. 

Explore a sample of our Plan Health Report to leverage research and data provided by our recordkeeping platform. These insights help you understand specific plan activities, compare plans to others, and identify features that drive optimal retirement readiness.

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.

Leverage innovative solutions and data-driven insights to expand your advisory practice, enhance client experiences, and achieve stronger retirement outcomes. 

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

Managed account programs offer personalized solutions to improve retirement readiness for plan participants. Share the key aspects of managed accounts and how they can enhance retirement outcomes with plan sponsors, and learn how it can help you scale your practice. 

Help clients understand the Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts (PLESAs) introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act, and guide them through the implementation and benefits of PLESAs.

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

Help your clients navigate the complexities of the SECURE 2.0 Act and its impact on their retirement plans by sharing essential information on key provisions relevant for them. 

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. 

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.

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

Help clients prioritize the key provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act for their defined benefit and cash balance plans. 

Help clients prioritize the key provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act for their defined contribution plans, guiding them through the most impactful changes, helping them comply with the provisions. 

Guide sole proprietor clients through the process of establishing and funding their 401(k) plans, helping them take full advantage of the new provisions under SECURE 2.0.

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.

Help your clients prioritize the key provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act for their individual retirement account.

Guide clients through cybersecurity best practices and assessment strategies, helping protect their retirement plans against cyber threats.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Pooled employer plans (PEPs) are gaining traction, but persistent myths can cloud advisor-client conversations. Learn how PEPs can simplify administration, reduce fiduciary risk, and help advisors offer flexible, cost-effective retirement solutions.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Scale and amplify your retirement practice by building your personal brand and leveraging Ascensus' resources and expertise.

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.

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

Learn how mastering technology, offering comprehensive resources, and prioritizing two-way communication can help you build trust with clients as an advisor.  

Prepare for new client meetings by anticipating key questions and providing thoughtful answers to build trust and establish long-lasting relationships.

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.

Enhance client retention and grow your advisory practice by building strong relationships through effective communication and personalized engagement.