Defined Contribution Plan Services

Areté provides services to address every aspect of sponsoring a retirement plan. From operating the plan effectively to maximizing participation and meeting ERISA responsibilities, we offer services to support our clients every step of the way.

• Administration and compliance services
• Effective administration means that critical plan documents and government reports are handled with the appropriate care and attention to detail. Our primary objective is to assure that the plans we serve are in compliance with current regulatory and legislative requirements.

• Consulting and plan design
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  Retirement plan issues can play a large part in the financial success of an organization. We help companies stay current with the options available, along with the rules and regulations that govern today’s plan marketplace. Our professional staff is intimately familiar with the IRS and DOL rules that all plans must satisfy. And, Areté can help design and maintain a cost-effective plan that can help companies find and keep the employees needed to achieve business objectives.

• Employee education and communication
• Retirement plan participation rates increase when employees understand the benefits available to them. Once employees are enrolled in the plan, they can control their transactions, seek professional advice and continue learning about retirement investing. It’s a great way to keep them enrolled and on the right track for retirement.
  
  Enrollment meetings
  We recognize that not everyone has the same level of investing experience and we are dedicated to providing education programs that meet the diverse needs of employees, from the beginner to the more advanced investor. We provide on-site and Web based enrollment seminars that demonstrate the value of planning for retirement and illustrate how the plan works.

• Access to Investment Options
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  Open investment architecture provides for unbiased fund selection. One of ehe most frequent concerns we hear from prospective clients is the implied bias in their current provider’s investment line-up. Often, sponsors feel pushed into choosing certain investment options that they otherwise would not choose, in an effort to lower plan administrative costs.
  
  Because we don’t offer proprietary investment products, there is no requirement for certain fund families to be used, depending on the platform that you select.
• Plan investment options span the risk/reward spectrum, representing:
• Full range of asset classes (money market, stocks, bonds)
• Breadth of investment styles (including income, value, growth, global and international)
• Lifestyle funds
• Tactical and strategic asset allocation funds
• Target maturity funds

• Tools for ERISA fiduciaries
• It is imperative that sponsors of qualified retirement plans understand their fiduciary obligations. Our staff can provide guidance to help navigate complex DOL and IRS regulations and understand their responsibilities under ERISA

Options to fit every business
Today, employers want to sponsor a cost effective retirement plan for their employees with easy access to account information and recognizable investment choices. Areté offers products and services with flexible plan design options and features that are important to employees.

Bundled Services

Putting it all together We have bundled all of the important elements sponsors need to operate their retirement plan effectively while serving both the goals of the company and the needs of the employees.

Unbundled Services

Unbundled Administration Services you choose recordkeeping and investment services from the providers that best fits the goals and objectives established for your plan.

• As Third Party Administrator Retirement Resources provides administration, compliance, consulting and plan design services
• Record keeping, investments and employee enrollment services are provided by the third-party group annuity or mutual fund company selected by the plan sponsor.

Mutual funds are sold by prospectus. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds before investing. Prospectuses, which contain this and other important information can be obtained by calling your financial adviser. Read prospectuses carefully before choosing investment options for the plan.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans

An ESOP is well suited to any company looking for a tax-favored financing alternative, considering giving ownership to employees, or looking for alternatives to continue the business after retirement.

Areté offers a full range of ESOP services:

• Design and implementation
• Annual recordkeeping and reporting
• Plan documents
• Loan negotiations
• Employee communications
• Repurchase liability studies
• Feasibility studies