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.

SIMPLE and SEP IRAs for Small Business Clients

Employer education · Plan design & capabilities · Article

IRA Options for Small Businesses

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.

Raymond James CoPilot 3(38): 401(k) Solutions for Advisors

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Raymond James CoPilot 3(38) Advisor Overview

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.

Raymond James CoPilot 3(38): Benefits for Small Business Clients

Employer education · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Raymond James CoPilot 3(38) Client Benefits

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.

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.

What advisors should know about SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k)s

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

SEP IRA vs SIMPLE IRA vs 401(k)

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.

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.

Strengthen Client Relationships with Simplified Fund Management for Advisors

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Simplified Fund Management for Advisors

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, 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.

How Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) and Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) Help Close the Retirement Savings Gap

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Whitepaper

Closing the Retirement Gap with MEPs and PEPs

Discover how Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) and Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) offer cost-effective, low-risk retirement solutions for clients of all sizes to help close the retirement gap.

Common Pooled Employer Plan Myths—Debunked

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

PEP Myths Debunked

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.

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.

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.

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.

Driving Client Success with Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Driving Client Success with Retirement Plans

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. 

Compare Managed Account Options to Enhance Your Advisory Practice

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Boosting Performance with Managed Accounts

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. 

Comparing Retirement Plan Options for Your Client's Small Business

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Comparing Small Business Retirement Plan Options

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.

Optimizing Retirement Plan Offerings for Small Business Clients with CoPilot 401(k)

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

CoPilot 401(k): Simplifying Small Business Retirement Plans

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. 

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.

Streamline Fiduciary Responsibilities with Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Ascensus 3(16) Administrative Fiduciary Services

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.

How MEPs and PEPs Can Benefit Advisors and Their Clients

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Introduction to MEPs and PEPs

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

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.

Enhancing Client Outcomes: Key Benefits of Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Ascensus Secure Retirement Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)

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

Understanding 360° Payroll Integration: A Financial Advisor's Guide

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Enhancing Efficiencies with Payroll Integration

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

Why Retirement Advisors Should Encourage Plan Sponsors To Reevaluate Managed Account Solutions

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Whitepaper

Reevaluating Managed Account Solutions

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. 

Leveraging Cybersecurity to Build Client Trust and Confidence

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Article

Enhancing Cybersecurity for Retirement Plans

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

How Financial Advisors Can Enhance Client Financial Wellness with Comprehensive Support

Engage Clients · Plan design & capabilities · Products and Services

Leveraging Financial Wellness Programs to Improve Client Outcomes

Complement your advisory services with Financial Wellness programs that provide unbiased education and guidance to help employees achieve financial security and well-being. Learn how offering Financial Wellness benefits can improve client satisfaction, reduce employee turnover, and enhance retirement preparedness.