Matthew Eickman and Bentley Ford: Navigating Target Date Funds - Using Third Party Tools - Part 2 of 2

Be More Than A Fiduciary

Matthew Eickman, J.D., AIF® is the National Retirement Practice Leader for Qualified Plan Advisors® (QPA). He is also a member of the firm’s Investment Advisory Board, holds his FINRA series 66 registration, and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).

Bentley Ford is the Managing Director, Dallas Market, with Prime Capital Investment Advisors (PCIA) and Qualified Plan Advisors focusing on Qualified Retirement Plans and Wealth Accumulation.

In this episode, Eric, Matthew, and Bentley discuss:

• Target date glide paths
• Selecting target date funds for M&A or spin-off deals
• Documenting analysis and justification for target date fund decisions
• Improving retirement outcomes for plan members

Key Takeaways:

• By examining the starting equity exposures and how they change over time, plan sponsors can make informed decisions about which funds are best suited for their employees.
• Comparing different target date funds can be challenging, as it involves analyzing both risk and reward. When choosing funds for a new spinoff plan, having access to data and understanding the employee demographics and culture can make the process easier. However, reviewing and justifying existing target date fund suites can be more difficult, as the data may not always support the desired outcome.
• To ensure transparency and accountability, committee members and advisors should thoroughly document their analysis and justification for target date fund decisions. The goal is for committee members to be able to recall and articulate why the targeted product suite is appropriate for their population, even if asked about it months later.
• As target-date funds often hold a significant share of plan assets, 401k committees must demonstrate effort and competence in selecting funds that suit participants' needs. By understanding their participant population and carefully evaluating target date fund options, committees can make informed decisions that improve retirement outcomes for their plan members.

“You want to be able to demonstrate effort and competence and then also have something that really suits the needs of the participants. Demonstrate competence in what you choose as well. ” - Matthew Eickman

Connect with Matthew Eickman and Bentley Ford:

Website: https://qualifiedplanadvisors.com

Connect with Eric Dyson:

Website: https://90northllc.com/

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/