Appleton, Wisconsin tra401k.com/ Founded in 1996
Contact Information

TRA, Inc.

We make your job EASY… We make you look GOOD… We help you WIN more business!™
As a national retirement services company, The Retirement Advantage (TRA) provides third party administration and fiduciary services to plan sponsors, financial advisors, wealth managers and businesses of all sizes. Our commitment to providing expert consultation, resources and exceptional customer service has positioned TRA as one of the largest, privately held third party administrators in the nation. We proudly serve more than 11,000 plan sponsors with more than $11 billion in retirement assets under our administration. You can count on us to deliver on time, on budget and with precise attention to detail.
  • Basic Info
  • News Feed
  • Our Team
Regarding 401k administration: Regarding 403b administration: Regarding 457b administration:

News Articles Archive - TRA

CASE OF THE WEEK – QSLOB
5/23/2025 1:03:42 PM +00:00

Learn how the Qualified Separate Line of Business (QSLOB) rules can assist a plan in meeting minimum coverage requirements. Defined contribution plans must cover a minimum number of employees to remain qualified for favorable IRS tax treatment, as outlined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.410(b)-1. Typically, all employees of a single employer are considered when applying these requirements. However, by adhering to the QSLOB rules in Treas. Reg. §1.414(r)-8, employers with QSLOBs can apply the minimum coverage criteria separately for each QSLOB, potentially simplifying compliance with IRS testing.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – QSLOB appeared first on TRA.

CASE OF THE WEEK – Contract Employee
5/16/2025 1:04:11 PM +00:00

Allowing independent contractors to participate in a company's 401(k) plan can turn it into a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), which involves specific regulations. Ensure compliance with IRS rules and seek ERISA counsel to avoid potential issues.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Contract Employee appeared first on TRA.

CASE OF THE WEEK – Reducing or Suspending 401(k) Safe Harbor Contributions Mid-Year
5/9/2025 1:00:25 PM +00:00

Sponsors of 401(k) or 403(b) safe harbor plans can amend the plan mid-year to reduce or suspend safe harbor contributions if facing economic loss or if the initial notice stated this possibility. Proper supplemental notice and procedural requirements must be followed.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Reducing or Suspending 401(k) Safe Harbor Contributions Mid-Year appeared first on TRA.

Plan Sponsors Ask…
5/6/2025 1:14:01 PM +00:00

Learn about the potential of health savings accounts (HSAs) as a long-term savings vehicle for future healthcare expenses in retirement. Discover key data from Bank of America’s Q3 2024 Participant Pulse, including investment trends among different demographics and the benefits of HSAs' triple tax-free status. Promote HSAs effectively to your employees and support their retirement planning.

The post Plan Sponsors Ask… appeared first on TRA.

Case of the Week – Terminated Participants Fees
5/2/2025 1:00:31 PM +00:00

Discover whether a retirement plan can charge fees to terminated participants while exempting active participants. This article explores the critical role of plan documents, compliance with Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS guidelines, and the importance of prudent, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory expense allocation methods. Ensure your plan's fee structure aligns with regulatory standards and fiduciary responsibilities.

The post Case of the Week – Terminated Participants Fees appeared first on TRA.

A Recipe for a Hearty Investment Policy Statement
4/29/2025 12:05:45 PM +00:00

Discover the key ingredients for crafting a successful Investment Policy Statement (IPS) for your retirement plan. Learn about defining plan objectives, roles and responsibilities, eligible investments, performance monitoring, qualified default investment alternatives, and the importance of periodic reviews and amendments. Ensure your IPS aligns with fiduciary best practices and supports diverse investment options for your employees.

The post A Recipe for a Hearty Investment Policy Statement appeared first on TRA.

CASE OF THE WEEK – Valuing Life Insurance
4/25/2025 1:09:34 PM +00:00

Discover how participants must report the fair market value of a life insurance policy distributed by a 401(k) plan as income, and how IRS safe harbor valuation methods in Rev. Proc. 2005-25 offer plan sponsors assurance against IRS challenges.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Valuing Life Insurance appeared first on TRA.

Plan Sponsors Ask…
4/22/2025 12:03:43 PM +00:00

Explore new financial wellness focus areas for 2025, including enhanced preretiree education and planning programs. Learn about personalized retirement income projections, Social Security and Medicare education, budgeting, tax planning, and additional savings opportunities starting at age 50+.

The post Plan Sponsors Ask… appeared first on TRA.

CASE OF THE WEEK – Embezzlement – Are Plan Assets Safe
4/18/2025 1:00:28 PM +00:00

A business owner’s former employee embezzled funds. Can the 401(k) plan balance of the terminated employee be used to offset the losses? Generally, no, due to ERISA's anti-alienation provisions, though there are a few exceptions such as QDROs, IRS tax levies, federal court garnishments, and liabilities linked to the participant’s misconduct with the plan.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Embezzlement – Are Plan Assets Safe appeared first on TRA.

New White Paper Explores Life, Longevity and Retirement for Future Workers
4/15/2025 12:56:59 PM +00:00

Discover insights into Generation Beta's future from Prudential's white paper. Learn about their anticipated technological integration, evolving family structures, extended life spans, and the redefined concepts of work and retirement. Explore how plan sponsors can help this generation achieve positive retirement outcomes amidst rapid changes.

The post New White Paper Explores Life, Longevity and Retirement for Future Workers appeared first on TRA.

Our Team
Brian Flynn
Regional Plan Consultant
Grant Livingston
Regional Plan Consultant
Mike Schessler
Regional Plan Consultant
Paul Phan
Regional Plan Consultant
Brenda Brumm
Internal Plan Consultants Team Lead
Jodie Mellon
Internal Plan Consultant
Jodie Mellon
Internal Plan Consultant
Austin Solomon
Internal Plan Consultant
Stephen Switzer
Regional Plan Consultant
Stephen Switzer
Regional Plan Consultant
Stephen Switzer
Regional Plan Consultant
Stephen Switzer
Regional Plan Consultant
Stephen Switzer
Regional Plan Consultant
Philanthorpy

Advisors

We offer a comprehensive platform to help grow and manage your employer sponsored retirement plan business.

Get Started

Employers

Let us help you fulfil key fiduciary obligations and reduce exposure to ERISA litigation while saving you time.

Get Started

Employees

As an employee, are you paying reasonable fees on your retirement plan? Let’s find out!

Get Started