Many choices ranging from proprietary fund offerings to group variable annuity products offering a wide range of different investments exist as options for qualified retirement plans. When talking with a client about investment platforms you need to know the difference and what services they provide. Determining which platform is best for the size plan your client has and meets their individual needs will differentiate you from the competition. With diversity in investment options being the norm these days, fiduciary responsibility highlighted and impending fee disclosure regulations coming in 2012, a platform that provides coverage and offers support services to assist in or handle the management of these items will be the kind of services you are looking for to present to your client.

By just asking your prospects or existing clients if they have a qualified retirement plan could bring surprising results. With servicing of the plan one of the three main determining factors of where and with who plan sponsors do business; your ability to properly service the plan is very important. Knowing the vendor service model available to you as the advisor, and subsequently to the plan sponsor, will be a determining factor in your choice of vendors. A review of existing plan information based on a prepared checklist will provide a good base for a review of existing service gaps and potential change. For new plans, a current census and idea of planned funding ability will allow for a determination of which plan design potentially best fits your client.

Susan Hajek offers securities through Resource Horizons Group, L.L.C., Member FINRA/SIPC.
1350 Church Street Ext. NE, 3rd Floor, Marietta, GA 30060. Telephone 770-319-1970.
Resource Horizons Group, L.L.C. and Brokers Alliance, Inc. are not affiliated….(read more)

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