All Resources

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.

Helping Clients Achieve Financial Success Through Tailored Guidance and Support

Engage Clients · Participant education · Video

Advisor Story: Supportive Financial Planning for Clients

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.

How Financial Advisors Can Help Younger Generations Understand the Importance of Saving for Retirement

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Inspiring Young Clients to Save

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

Maximizing Client Savings: Simple Strategies for Financial Advisors

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Finding Savings Opportunities for Clients

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

Three Ways to Effectively Educate Retirement Plan Participants as an Advisor

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Educating Plan Participants Effectively

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

How to Help Clients Stay on Track with Retirement Savings Goals

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Keeping Client Savings on Track

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

How to Navigate Risk Tolerance Conversations with Clients

Engage Clients · Participant education · Article

Discussing Risk Tolerance with Clients

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

Integrated Financial Wellness Programs for Advisors: Improve Client Outcomes & Strengthen Relationships

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Participant education · Employer education · Build my brand · Products and Services

How Financial Wellness Programs Elevate Your Advisory Practice

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.

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.

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. 

Six Best Practices to Maximize Your BOLI Program's Effectiveness

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Optimizing BOLI Programs for Maximum Impact

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.

Maximize Your Clients' Bank-Owned Life Insurance: Two Proven Strategies for Advisors

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Strategic Optimization for Clients' BOLI Programs

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.

Diversify Your Advisory Practice with Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Article

Expanding Client Portfolios with BOLI

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.

How AI is Transforming Retirement Plan Administration

Engage Clients · Digital Experience & Technology · Video

How AI is Transforming Retirement Plan Administration

Insights from Ascensus Executive Chairman David Musto

Artificial intelligence is reshaping retirement plan administration by improving data accuracy, streamlining operations, and delivering better outcomes for savers. In this video, Ascensus Executive Chairman David Musto shares how predictive analytics and intelligent automation are changing how retirement plans are designed, managed, and delivered. 

Building Peak Performing Retirement Plans

Growth Strategies · Plan design & capabilities · Video

Building Peak Performing Plans

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.

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Employer Roth Contributions

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Employer Roth Contributions Under SECURE 2.0

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Financial Incentives for Contributions

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

SECURE 2.0 Financial Incentives for Participant Contributions

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Hardship Distributions and Terminal Illness

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Hardship Distribution for Terminal Illness Under SECURE 2.0

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Employer Tax Credits

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Employer Tax Credits Available Under SECURE 2.0

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Replacing a SIMPLE Plan with a Safe Harbor Plan

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Replacing SIMPLE IRA with a Safe Harbor Plan Mid-Year

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Expanding Automatic Enrollment

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Expanding Automatic Enrollment: SECURE 2.0 Requirements

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. 

SECURE 2.0 Highlights: Corrections for Deferral Failures

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Safe Harbor for Corrections of Elective Deferral Failures

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. 

Evaluating Retirement Plan Options: State-Facilitated vs. Other Qualified Plans Under SECURE 2.0

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Navigating State Mandated Plans

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. 

Navigating the Complexities of SECURE 2.0: Ensuring Compliance for Long-Term Part-Time Employees

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

SECURE 2.0 Compliance for LTPT Employees

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. 

Understanding the Key Incentives of SECURE 2.0: Available Tax Credits

SECURE 2.0 · SECURE Act video series · Video

Leveraging SECURE 2.0 Tax Credits

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. 

How Advisors Can Achieve Personal Fulfillment While Helping Clients Reach Their Financial Goals

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Advisor Story: Aligning Goals with Client Success

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.

How Consistent Service from Dedicated Relationship Managers Benefits Advisors and Their Clients

Engage Clients · Relationship management · Video

Advisor Story: Consistent Service for Client Satisfaction

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.  

Leveraging the Expertise of Service Partners to Help Advisors Grow Their Practice

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Advisor Story: Expert Partnerships for Advisory Growth

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.

How Advisors Can Benefit from Partnering with Retirement Providers for Enhanced Client Service

Evaluate Plan Providers

Advisor Story: People-Centric Retirement Services

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.

Boosting Participation Rates and Retirement Savings: Strategies for Advisors Partnering with Ascensus

Engage Clients · Relationship management · Video

Advisor Story: Strategic Planning to Achieve Client Goals

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.

Why Advisors Should Choose Service Partners with Effective Technology Solutions

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Video

Advisor Story: Streamlining Retirement Plans with Intuitive Technology

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.

Maximize Your Advisory Practice: Leveraging PEPs for Business Growth, Streamlined Administration, and Cost Efficiencies

Growth Strategies · Advisor PEPCAST · Video

PEPCAST Episode 1: Grow Your Business with PEP

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

Amplify Your Retirement Practice with Ascensus

Growth Strategies · Expand my practice · Video

Amplify Your Retirement Practice with Ascensus

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