Will a Trump Account affect a child’s future financial aid eligibility? Current FAFSA rules may support excluding these accounts from reportable investments, but specific guidance is still needed.

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Managing a 401(k) plan involves multiple service providers, each with distinct responsibilities. Learn how recordkeepers, plan advisors, and third-party administrators (TPAs) work together to support compliance, investment oversight, plan administration, and fiduciary governance, helping plan sponsors make more informed decisions.

The post Understanding 401(k) Provider Roles for Plan Sponsors appeared first on TRA.

Choosing the right support team for your 401(k) plan requires understanding the distinct roles of the recordkeeper, plan advisor, and third-party administrator (TPA). While recordkeepers manage participant accounts and transactions, advisors oversee investments and fiduciary guidance, and TPAs handle plan design, compliance testing, Form 5500 preparation, and regulatory administration. This guide explains each role, compares responsibilities, and outlines how the right combination of service partners can help improve compliance, reduce administrative burden, and support better outcomes for plan sponsors and participants.

The post Recordkeeper vs Advisor vs TPA for 401(k) Plans appeared first on TRA.

A reduction in an investment’s expense ratio generally does not trigger a special advance notice or a new comparative chart. Learn how to keep investment fee information current.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – What Fee Changes Require Notice appeared first on TRA.

Choosing the right retirement plan can have a significant impact on your business, employees, and future financial security. This comprehensive guide compares the most common small business retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, SIMPLE IRAs, SEP IRAs, and profit sharing plans. Explore the differences in contributions, administration, flexibility, costs, and employer responsibilities to determine which retirement plan best aligns with your business goals and workforce needs.

The post The Complete Guide to Small Business Retirement Plans appeared first on TRA.

The Retirement Advantage welcomes Mykal Davis as a Regional Plan Consultant serving Southern California and Hawaii. He brings more than 20 years of financial services experience and will focus on strengthening advisor partnerships and helping financial professionals identify retirement plan solutions for their clients.

The post PRESS RELEASE – TRA Adds Industry Veteran Mykal Davis as Regional Plan Consultant appeared first on TRA.

The successor, or alternative, plan rules can prevent a plan sponsor from relying on plan termination to distribute restricted amounts, including elective deferrals, QNECs, QMACs and related earnings in a 401(k) plan, and elective deferral and custodial account amounts in a 403(b) plan, if the employer maintains or establishes an alternative plan or contract. This article explains which plans qualify as a successor plan, the exceptions that apply, and why sponsors should evaluate this rule before executing a plan termination.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Successor Plan Rule appeared first on TRA.

Choosing the right retirement plan is one of the biggest decisions a small business owner will make. This guide breaks down how 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, and profit sharing plans differ in contribution limits, administrative burden, and fiduciary responsibility, so plan sponsors can select the structure that best fits their workforce and goals.

The post What Is the Best Small Business Retirement Plan Type appeared first on TRA.

Choosing the right 401(k) third-party administrator can significantly impact your retirement plan's success. This guide compares six leading TPAs for small businesses, evaluating fiduciary services, plan design flexibility, compliance support, dedicated service, and scalability. Learn why TRA stands out for customized plan administration, 3(16) fiduciary services, and hands-on support.

The post Best Small Business 401(k) TPAs Compared in 2026 appeared first on TRA.

A missed automatic enrollment implementation under SECURE 2.0 does not necessarily require an IRS filing, but timely correction is critical. This article explains the available self-correction options, including the 0%, 25%, and 50% QNEC correction methods, deadlines for restoring missed deferrals and matching contributions, and practical steps plan sponsors should take to minimize costs and maintain compliance.

The post CASE OF THE WEEK – Failure to Implement AEM appeared first on TRA.