Ascensus Essentials 401(k) with Raymond James
Advisors and their small business clients need retirement plans that are easy to launch, affordable to maintain, and compliant with evolving regulations. The Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38) solution is designed to combine Ascensus’ technology-driven retirement plan platform with fiduciary services from Raymond James to help you deliver more value to your clients.
Streamline 401(k) setup and compliance for small businesses
Whether you’re helping clients start their first 401(k) or scale an existing plan, the Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38) makes it easier. This solution helps shorten the sales cycle, streamlines plan setup, and keeps participants engaged, all while meeting SECURE 2.0 requirements.
| Key benefits for advisors and clients | |
| Low-cost, value-focused plan design | |
| No asset or employee minimums | |
| Traditional 401(k) options for fee-based advisors | |
| Full-service administration and compliance testing | |
| 3(38) fiduciary services provided by Raymond James | |
| Fast, online plan setup and ongoing plan health reporting | |
| Automatic enrollment and auto-increase for SECURE 2.0 compliance | |
| 200+ payroll integrations for operational efficiency | |
| READYSAVE™ app and MyForecast for participant engagement | |
| Integrated financial wellness education with Financial Finesse Essentials | |
| 3(16) administrative services | |
Transparent pricing for small business 401(k) plans
The Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38) solution delivers transparent pricing, no minimums, and a turnkey design that helps small business clients offer retirement plans with ease and confidence.
| Employer Fee | $125/month |
| One-time costs | |
| Implementation Fee | $390 |
| Employee fees | |
| Monthly Recordkeeping | $8.50/participant |
| Annual Custodial and Trading* | 0.07% |
| Annual Intermediary Service Fee (Includes 3(38) Fiduciary Fee) | Set by fee-based advisor |
| *Fees are shown in annual terms but are deducted monthly. The monthly custodial and trading fee is roughly 0.00583%. ** The intermediary service fee will be converted to a monthly charge by dividing the annual fee by 12. |
As of 07/15/2026 Pricing subject to change |
Advisor resources
Explore resources to help you highlight plan benefits and lead value-driven client discussions.
Advisor Overview: Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38)
Outlines key features, pricing, and positioning tips to help you confidently present this solution to small business clients.
Client Overview: Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38)
Summarizes plan benefits, setup process, and participant tools; ideal for sharing with prospects or onboarding new clients.
Start the conversation.
Let's talk about how the Ascensus Essentials 401(k) managed by Raymond James Direct 3(38) can help you deliver more value to your clients and scale your practice with confidence. Give us a call or complete the form and a specialist will connect with you to explore how this solution can fit your clients' needs and your goals.
For new plan sales: 833-893-3233
For existing plan services: 833-892-8878