Employee Stock Retirement Plans
How often should companies review their 401(k) plans?
Over the past decade, Congress has burdened plan sponsors with an
overwhelming amount of legislation. In addition, stock market
volatility, the possibility of legal action by disgruntled plan
participants, the role of the retirement plan in attracting and
retaining key employees, and other factors make it necessary for
companies to continually review their retirement offerings.
How do I evaluate my existing 401(k) plans and provider?
As part of our comprehensive fee-based consulting services, Oswald
Financial, Inc. (OFI) will provide a compete analysis of your company’s
retirement plans, with the ultimate goal of minimizing the amount of
confusion, frustration and time needed to select the ideal 401(k)
provider. The comprehensive plan review includes: expert analysis of
all retirement plans; benchmarking of plan design, utilization,
investments and total costs; flagging areas of potential risk related
to fiduciary responsibilities, plan operation and employee
communication; review of investment due diligence procedures and
supporting documentation; review of executive compensation solutions
and investment options for individuals; and more. This analysis can be
useful as a benchmark for your existing 401(k) plans or as part of a
M&A due diligence package. Note that OFI differs from other
retirement plan consultants in that we are not captive to any one
service provider.
Can’t I just review the standard proposals provided by vendors?
You can. But you’ll need considerable time and perseverance. And you
still won’t have enough information to determine administrative,
recordkeeping, compliance and employee communications services and
standards. Nor will you have a clear idea of total plan costs.
Executive Benefits
What about non-qualified retirement plans?
In addition to the qualified retirement plan portion of your
employee benefits package, Oswald Financial, Inc. (OFI) will work with
you to offer non-qualified plans to key executives. Non-qualified plans
are attractive because they can meet very specific objectives for
compensating key employees, allow your company to retain control over
the plan’s assets, provide excellent tax benefits to your employees and
your company, and require no IRS review or reporting. Many plan
sponsors use these non-qualified plans to successfully recruit and
retain their key people.
What types of plan benefits are we talking about?
It’s a rather thorough assortment of executive savings and
compensation solutions. They include supplemental executive retirement
plans, deferred compensation plans, executive bonus plans, a 401(l)
primer plan, key man life insurance, buy-sell plans, executive
disability packages, financial planning packages, and even long-term care
plans.
Which executive benefits are best to offer?
That answer is different for every company. Using a team approach,
OFI advisors will provide expert, specialized guidance. We’ll work
closely with your executives to design a non-qualified plan that meets
the specific needs of your executives and those of your business.
Individual Investing
What types of products and services are available to the individual investor?
Oswald Financial, Inc. (OFI) offers many proven ways to help
employees manage their personal funds and plan their financial futures.
These include customized financial planning, IRAs (including
rollovers), fee-based asset management, mutual funds, stocks, bonds,
annuities, Section 529 college savings plans, and even
life/disability/long-term care insurance.
Does OFI personalize these products and services?
Absolutely. The financial planners at OFI work closely with
individuals. Using a consultative approach, OFI professionals listen to
employees’ comments and concerns before, during, and after plan
development. The goal is to identify and implement retirement solutions
that meet every individual’s unique investment philosophies, goals, and
objectives.
How skilled is the investment team?
Oswald Financial, Inc. is a built around a team of people that have
significant experience in the investment and retirement plan industry.
Several staff members serve on advisory boards for industry
associations, retirement plan monitoring organizations, and national
service providers such as banks, insurance and mutual fund companies.
Most staff members are Series 6, 7, 63 and 65 Licensed, and carry
the Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ (AIF) designation. Also, OFI has
been recognized by the Better Business Bureau, Cleveland Bar
Association, Employers Resource Council and PlanSponsor – and OFI
services the retirement plans for three of those four.