Formula

Successful 401(k) plans allow employers to offer their employees the opportunity for long-term financial growth while meeting the federal laws that govern retirement planning.

Investment Consulting

Investment outcomes have a lot to do with market risks and rewards – and, importantly, investors’ individual reaction to risk. When the markets grow volatile, instead of sticking to plan, individuals tend to overreact and over-trade, attempting to flee bad returns and chase good ones. Unfortunately, the more likely results are unnecessary costs and disappointing outcomes. By offering five, professionally constructed and managed model portfolios made up of diverse investments with the lower fees available through institutional funds, Alliant positions your employees to build their wealth within a sensible framework, experiencing investing that is easier to understand and better directed toward achieving their financial goals.

Compliance

An employer’s 401(k) plan regulatory obligations are confusing at best and at worst create significant personal liability.  Currently, the US Department of Labor is issuing new rules and has stepped up its scrutiny of retirement plans while employers increasingly are facing lawsuits brought by employees for perceived plan discrepancies.  Under the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, you – the plan sponsor and fiduciary – can be held personally liable if you are shown not to have acted as a prudent expert.  Fortunately, Alliant has the solution:

  • We significantly limit your ERISA liability by serving as your plan’s investment fiduciary under ERISA Section 3(38).  This is the highest level of plan sponsor investment management protection available.
  • We help you implement a compliance checklist by assisting you in developing an investment policy statement and taking other necessary steps.
  • We help you document your ongoing regulatory compliance by generating necessary analyses, including your annual benchmarking report, and assisting you with other recordkeeping.

Education

Professionally managed model investment portfolios provide an excellent base from which to build wealth, but flexibility is also key.  Your employees are individuals, with individual challenges, opportunities and questions.  To build confidence, Alliant offers:

  • Educational briefings
  • A self-service risk assessment questionnaire, so participants can make informed model selections that reflect their own circumstances.
  • A secure website on which participants can view reports, monitor investments and make changes.
  • A helpline for participants to call during business hours.

Service Team Coordination

Behind every 401(k) plan is a team of service providers that includes a Third Party Administrator, a Recordkeeper and a Custodian.  Alliant reduces your administrative burden by defining what you can expect from each team member on our Service Checklist and communicating with team members when you request it.  Alliant offers its own team of service providers or is happy to work with service providers that you select.  The ability to select your service team ensures that each provider offers services that meet your expectations and standards.

Competitive Fees

All plan fees are transparent and readily presented, and we’re happy to run an analysis for prospective clients so you can review the costs of your current 401(k) plan against industry standards as well as the Alliant Solution.  Once many plans’ hidden fees are brought to light, the Alliant Solution becomes even more attractive.