Retirement plan information and offerings
BENEFITS TRADE-OFF: TRUSTEE DIRECTED VS. PARTICIPANT DIRECTED RETIREMENT PLANS
|
Trustee Directed Retirement Plans |
Participant Directed Retirement Plans |
Investment Selection |
Investment decisions are controlled by the professional investment advisor and the trustee(s) of the plan |
Investment choices are controlled by each individual participant |
Employee Education |
No time and expense is required for employee education. Typically portfolio updates are provided to match the business owners’ preferences |
Employee education is required to meet 404c regulations |
Investment Returns |
Typically returns are better, given the ‘emotions’ of the individual participant are removed from the equation |
While investment choices do well for their style; ‘participant emotions’ can affect the actual returns experienced |
Plan Structure |
Plans can be customized to meet the goals of the business owners |
Offers the most choices to the individual participant |
Investment Choices |
Unlimited access to investment options |
Broad, diversified investment choices, limited by record keeping platforms |
Costs |
Generally a less costly plan structure |
Generally a more costly plan structure |
Daily Valuation |
No daily valuation of the portfolio holdings for individuals |
Daily valuation of the portfolio holdings on an individual basis |
KEY QUESTIONS FOR PLAN SELECTION AND DESIGN:
- Who is this plan designed to benefit? The owner? The employees? Or both?
- How many dollars are we, as a business, willing to invest into our employees through such a plan?
- Will our employees be able and willing to take advantage of such a plan through salary deferral?
After working through such issues, one of the next key questions will be: Should this plan be a trustee directed plan or a participant directed plan?
Both plans have their unique benefits and shortcomings. The goal is to best match the plan to the goal of the plan sponsors/business owners and the employees.
We offer a complimentary review to show how you can increase the value and efficiency of your employee retirement plan. Our years of experience and creative thinking in providing customized retirement plans may make us the ideal partner for you, your business and your employees.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.
