What is a 401(k) plan?

Answer: A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan sponsored by an employer that allows employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Many employers also offer matching contributions.

 
Why should my company offer a 401(k) plan?

Answer: Offering a 401(k) plan helps attract and retain top talent, provides tax benefits to your business, and promotes long-term financial wellness for employees.

 
What services do you provide as a 401(k) plan advisor?

Answer: We offer plan design consulting, investment selection and monitoring, fiduciary support, employee education, compliance oversight, and coordination with recordkeepers and third-party administrators (TPAs).

 
What is a fiduciary, and how does it relate to our 401(k) plan?

Answer: A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in the best interest of plan participants. As your advisor, we can serve as either a 3(21) co-fiduciary or a 3(38) investment manager, helping reduce your fiduciary liability.

 
How do employer contributions work?

Answer: Employers can contribute to employee 401(k) accounts through matching or profit-sharing contributions. These can be subject to vesting schedules and are tax-deductible for the business.

 
How much can employees contribute in 2025?

Answer: For 2025, employees can contribute up to $23,000, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution allowed for those age 50 and over (subject to IRS updates).  Those who are age 60, 61, 62, or 63 are eligible for the Super Catch up of $11,250.

 
Can we customize the plan to meet our company's needs?

Answer: Absolutely. We help design plans that align with your business goals, including eligibility rules, matching formulas, vesting schedules, and automatic enrollment features.

 
What are the compliance requirements for a 401(k) plan?

Answer: Plans must pass annual nondiscrimination testing, file Form 5500, provide required notices, and ensure timely deposits of contributions. We help manage and monitor these tasks to maintain compliance.

 
How often should we review our 401(k) plan?

Answer: We recommend reviewing your plan at least annually to assess investment performance, fee competitiveness, and plan design relative to your workforce’s needs.

 
How are plan fees structured?

Answer: Fees can include advisor fees, recordkeeping, investment management, and administrative costs. We provide full fee transparency and help benchmark them regularly against industry standards.

 
What kind of employee education do you provide?

Answer: We offer one-on-one support, group workshops, webinars, and customized communication materials to help employees understand their investment options and save effectively for retirement.

 
Can we switch 401(k) providers?

Answer: Yes, we assist in evaluating providers, managing the transition process, and ensuring minimal disruption to plan participants.

 
What is a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan?

Answer: A Safe Harbor plan includes mandatory employer contributions and satisfies IRS nondiscrimination testing automatically. It’s ideal for companies that want predictable costs and to ensure high participation.

 
How do Roth 401(k) contributions differ from traditional ones?

Answer: Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. Traditional contributions are pre-tax, reducing current taxable income.

 
Do you help with plan audits?

Answer: Yes, we assist with audit preparation for plans with 100 or more participants, working closely with auditors to ensure smooth and compliant processes.

What does a financial advisor do?

Answer: A financial advisor helps clients create, manage, and achieve financial goals through personalized advice on investments, retirement planning, insurance, taxes, and wealth management.

 
Who can benefit from working with a financial advisor?

Answer: Anyone looking to grow their wealth, plan for retirement, manage a financial transition (like inheritance or divorce), or simply gain clarity about their financial future can benefit from professional guidance.

 
What’s the difference between a financial advisor and a financial planner?

Answer: A financial planner typically focuses on comprehensive, long-term planning, while a financial advisor may offer a broader range of services including investment management, estate planning, and tax strategies. Some professionals may be both.

 Are you a fiduciary?

Answer: Yes. As a fiduciary, we are legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest at all times, ensuring our recommendations are aligned with your financial goals—not driven by commissions or conflicts of interest.

 
How do you get paid?

Answer: We offer transparent fee structures, including fee-only (based on assets under management), flat-fee, or hourly consulting models.

 
What should I expect during our first meeting?

Answer: The first meeting is a discovery session where we discuss your goals, current financial situation, and concerns. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions and see if we’re the right fit.

Is my information kept confidential?

Answer: Absolutely. We adhere to strict privacy and data protection policies and are committed to keeping all client information secure and confidential.

 
Do I need a certain amount of money to work with you?

Answer: While some advisors have minimum asset requirements, we offer services designed to support individuals and families at different stages of wealth, including young professionals and retirees.

 
How often do we meet or communicate?

Answer: We typically meet with clients annually, but communication frequency is flexible based on your needs. You’ll also receive timely updates and reports throughout the year.

 
What services do you offer?

Answer: Our services include retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, risk management, cash flow analysis, and financial goal setting.

 
How do you choose investments for your clients?

Answer: We build portfolios based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, goals, and tax situation, using diversified, low-cost investment strategies aligned with long-term performance.

 
Can you help with retirement planning?

Answer: Yes, retirement planning is one of our core services. We help you estimate needs, choose the right savings vehicles (e.g., 401(k), IRA), and create a sustainable income strategy for retirement.

 
What happens if the market goes down?

Answer: Market volatility is expected. We focus on building resilient, diversified portfolios designed for long-term growth and help clients stay disciplined and avoid emotional decisions during downturns.

 
Do you work with clients remotely?

Answer: Yes. We offer secure virtual meetings, digital document sharing, and online tools so you can access financial planning services from anywhere.

 
How do I get started?

Answer: Simply contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll learn more about your goals and explain how we can help you build a plan for your financial future.