Retirement Plan Management & Advisory Services
Corporate Retirement Plan guidance designed to help businesses support their employees, manage fiduciary responsibilities, and build a more thoughtful approach to workplace benefits.
SOLUTIONS THAT SERVE YOUR TEAM
Built for Business.
Focused on People.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Plan Review & Strategic Guidance
Retirement Plan Management and Advisory Services provide a customized, high-touch approach designed around each employer’s unique needs.
Our Seattle team works closely with plan sponsors and fiduciary committees to provide tailored fiduciary, investment, and retirement consulting for 401(k), 403(b), 457, defined benefit, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. We evaluate existing plan and service provider relationships to determine the best path forward, whether that means leveraging current relationships or implementing new solutions. Investment services are available as an ERISA Section 3(21) co-fiduciary or ERISA Section 3(38) investment fiduciary, allowing us to tailor the level of responsibility and support to each plan sponsor’s needs.
OUR INTEGRATED SERVICES
Fiduciary-Focused Retirement
Plan Management
Our Retirement Plan Management and Advisory Services provides tailored fiduciary and retirement consulting solutions designed to meet the unique needs of your plan and work alongside
your plan’s fiduciary committee to effectively manage 401(k), 403(b), 457, defined benefit, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
Retirement Plan Governance and Fiduciary Support
Waverly helps plan sponsors strengthen retirement plan governance through fiduciary education, committee support, and the development of formal governance materials, including committee charters and written fee policies. Depending on the engagement, we may serve as a discretionary ERISA 3(38) Fiduciary Investment Manager or as a 3(21) Co-Fiduciary Advisor, working alongside your retirement plan committee to support a disciplined oversight process.
Plan Design and Strategic Consulting
We provide retirement plan design and consulting support to help employers evaluate whether their plan structure aligns with business objectives, workforce needs, and long-term participant outcomes. This may include reviewing contribution features, eligibility provisions, investment menu structure, and other plan design considerations that can influence employee engagement and retirement readiness.
Investment Selection, Management and Ongoing Monitoring
Waverly assists with investment manager searches, selection, and ongoing monitoring to help plan sponsors maintain a thoughtful and well-documented investment review process. In our role as a 3(38) investment manager, we may also manage age-based and risk-based model solutions, helping align investment options with participant needs, risk considerations, and the plan’s investment policy.
Recordkeeper and Provider Search Support
We help plan sponsors conduct recordkeeper searches, evaluate provider capabilities, assist with provider selection, and coordinate ongoing service relationships. This support is designed to help employers better understand service models, administrative capabilities, participant tools, fee structures, and overall provider fit as they manage the operational needs of their retirement plan.
Plan Fee Benchmarking and Committee Reviews
Waverly benchmarks and evaluates plan fees to help sponsors better understand the reasonableness of plan costs and the services provided in exchange. We can also facilitate quarterly or semi-annual plan committee meetings and reviews, offering recurring support around investment performance, provider services, plan fees, participant engagement, and other key oversight topics.
Participant Education and Employee Engagement
We provide participant education designed to help employees better understand their retirement plan, investment options, and long-term planning considerations. This may include group education meetings, quarterly participant newsletters, investment performance updates, and one-on-one participant consultations to help employees make more informed retirement planning decisions and stay focused on their long-term financial goals.
401KCOMPLETE
A More Streamlined Approach to 401(k) Plan Management
With 401kComplete, Waverly provides integrated support for plan sponsors looking to simplify the management of their retirement plan. Acting as an ERISA 3(38) investment fiduciary, Waverly assumes responsibility for certain investment decisions such as fund selection, ongoing monitoring, and asset allocation for risk-based models, helping sponsors manage complexity with greater confidence.
FAQs
Corporate Retirement Plan Answers for What Matters Most
Retirement plans that work for your business—and the people behind it.
What are corporate retirement plan services?
Corporate retirement plan services help businesses design, manage, monitor, and support workplace retirement plans such as 401(k) plans. Services may include investment selection, fiduciary support, plan administration coordination, employee education, recordkeeper coordination, provider reviews, and ongoing plan assessments.
What is the difference between Retirement Plan Management and Advisory Services and 401(k) Complete?
Retirement Plan Management and Advisory Services provide a customized, high-touch approach designed around each employer’s unique needs. Our Seattle team works closely with plan sponsors and fiduciary committees to provide tailored fiduciary, investment, and retirement consulting for 401(k), 403(b), 457, defined benefit, and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. We evaluate existing plan and service provider relationships to determine the best path forward, whether that means leveraging current relationships or implementing new solutions. Investment services are available as an ERISA Section 3(21) co-fiduciary or ERISA Section 3(38) investment fiduciary, allowing us to tailor the level of responsibility and support to each plan sponsor’s needs.
With 401(k) Complete, recordkeeping, custodial, and investment services are bundled into one integrated solution, with Waverly serving as an ERISA Section 3(38) investment fiduciary. Waverly provides integrated support for plan sponsors looking to simplify the management of their retirement plan while providing greater clarity and efficiency. As an ERISA Section 3(38) investment fiduciary, Waverly assumes responsibility for key investment decisions, including fund selection, ongoing monitoring, and asset allocation for risk-based models, helping sponsors manage complexity with greater confidence.
-What is the difference between an ERISA 3(21) and ERISA 3(38)?
An ERISA 3(21) fiduciary provides investment advice and recommendations while the plan sponsor retains final decision-making authority and shares fiduciary responsibility. An ERISA 3(38) investment fiduciary has discretionary authority to make certain investment decisions, including selecting, monitoring, and replacing investment options, while the plan sponsor remains responsible for prudently selecting and monitoring the fiduciary relationship.
How can employers evaluate whether their retirement plan is working well?
Employers can evaluate a retirement plan by reviewing investment options, plan fees, provider services, employee participation, plan design, participant education, and administrative processes. A retirement plan assessment can help identify areas where the plan may benefit from additional review or support.
Why is employee education important for a 401(k) plan?
Employee education can help participants better understand how their retirement plan works, why contributions matter, and how plan features may support long-term retirement goals. Clear education may also help improve confidence, engagement, and informed decision-making among employees.
How often should plan sponsors review their 401(k) plan?
Plan sponsors should review their 401(k) plan periodically to evaluate plan effectiveness, investment options, fees, provider services, participant engagement, and compliance-related responsibilities. The appropriate review cadence may depend on the plan, provider relationships, and business needs.
Reach out to our Team
Learn more about our full range of investment management services and how we can support your financial planning needs.