Retirement Services
In today’s competitive benefits landscape, robust 401k plans are more than an incentive—but rather a critical element of any benefits program. Exclusively dedicated to 401k and other defined contribution solutions, our Retirement Services team offers a wealth of expertise to help clients navigate the complexities of retirement planning with confidence and ease.
Our Approach
Our consulting services deliver on every critical aspect of retirement planning—from program design to vendor management and more.
Customized Plan Design
We base our recommended plan design on a close assessment of your core objectives, corporate philosophy, employee demographics, recruitment landscape, and other key inputs.
Enhanced Client Support
We deliver concierge-level client service to simplify administration and give you and your team lift. This includes a dedicated conversions team for vendor transitions and strategic M&A, access to in-house subject matter experts for ERISA and compliance, and financial wellness.
Higher Employee Engagement
Our practice empowers clients with a range of financial literacy and investment education programs to help onboard employees and help them make more informed decisions about their retirement planning.
A Plan That Grows with You
We are well-versed in scaling retirement plans for high-growth companies. From startups in the seed phase to enterprise market leaders, we ramp plans to match your growth trajectory.
The Newfront Difference
Comprehensive solutions
Exceptional Insight. Unmatched Client Service
With a deep bench of industry practitioners and subject matter experts, we bring a dynamic approach to investment and fiduciary oversight. With data-driven insight and custom benchmarking, we’ll help you craft a full-service retirement program.
Subject matter expertise
Trusted Guidance
We’ve invested in deep expertise in all the areas that are critical to plan success. We speak the language of 401ks so you don’t have to. Our service team expertise includes:
ERISA expertise: We have dedicated in-house counsel for compliance under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, and the Internal Revenue Code. Our other professional designations including CFA, CFP, CIMA, CRPS, AIF, CPC, CPFA, and JD. We conduct regular compliance checks to safeguard plan sponsors and employee rights in your 401k program.
Fiduciary due diligence: As co-fiduciaries on your plan, we strive for peak fiduciary health. This includes proactive education, oversight, governance, and more.
Vendor transitions: Our dedicated conversion team specialize in seamless 401k integrations during mergers and acquisitions and other vendor-related changes.
Investment guidance: Our investment committee selects 401k investments based on minimizing fiduciary risk and maximizing your employees' retirement readiness.
Thought leadership
401(k)ology with Joni Jennings
Retirement Services’ in-house ERISA specialist and Chief Compliance Officer Joni Jennings knows more about 401(k) compliance and SEC reporting than anyone on our staff. She is a CPC, CPFA®, and NQPC™, and her ERISA knowledge is superb. With 30+ years of ERISA compliance experience, Jennings brings real value to sponsors of qualified retirement plans by offering compliance support to our team of advisors and to our clients with regular client webinars and deep-dive blog posts. She specializes in IRS/DOL plan corrections for 401(k) plans, plan documents and plan design. Joni’s regular series, “401(k)ology” can be found on our marketing insights blog.
Thought leadership
Financial Fitness with Michael Forney
Michael is an Investment Advisor and Financial Wellness Specialist who provides employee education and partners with clients on financial wellness strategies. He possesses a depth of knowledge of employer-sponsored retirement plans, particularly the 401(k). He has a broad range of financial knowledge on investments, high-level tax benefits of various retirement accounts, and savings strategies. Previously, Michael worked at a top-producing advisory firm where he built financial plans for families and businesses as a Financial Planning Specialist.
Technology
Leaning into Hi-Tech Solutions
Newfront is combining human expertise and advanced technology to transform our clients' end-to-end experience.
Artificial Intelligence: We are building custom AI applications to improve clients' and participants' experience with their benefits solutions
Benchmarking: Not all benchmarking is created equal. Our tech capabilities enable us to create hyper-targeted and company-specific insights to optimze plan design and maximize recruitment and retention outcomes.
Simplified Administration: We create custom content and tailored workflows to support client deliverables and to put 401k plans into digestible formats
Case Study
Solving the Retirement Riddle in Digital Health
A high-growing healthcare company with a breakthrough approach to at-home testing and virtual care came to Newfront Retirement Services for guidance on their 401(k) Plan.
By the Numbers
From our depth of domain expertise to our uncompromising client service, Newfront Retirement Services delivers the plans and support our clients need.
$20B
in assets under advisement
400+
clients served
75+
public companies under management
28
person dedicated service team
Leadership
Newfront Leadership
Greg Kaplan, CFA
Head of Retirement Services
Ted Wilson, CFA
Investment Committee Lead
Joni Jennings
Chief Compliance Officer
Chris Call, CFP
Head of Thought Leadership
Cynthia Eickhoff
Vice President, Operations
Sarah Schwartz
Head of Financial Wellness
Jenn Sommerville
Manager, Client Success
Key Services
Plan Design and Benchmarking
Investment Expertise
Compliance Support
Fiduciary and Governance
Employee Engagement and Education
Vendor Negotiations
M&A Support
Vendor Transition Support
Latest from Newfront
Newfront Retirement Services Recognized in Pensions & Investments’ Best Places to Work in Money Management
Newfront Retirement Services was recognized for the third consecutive year in the 2024 Best Places to Work in Money Management awards announced by Pensions & Investments.
401(k)ology – All the Fuss about Forfeitures
ERISA lawsuits spotlight 401(k) forfeiture use, questioning fiduciary decisions. This post covers IRS rules, recent litigation, and best practices to mitigate risk.
401(k)ology – Impact of a Failed ADP/ACP Test
Companies that sponsor 401(k) plans must ensure contributions don’t favor higher-paid employees. If the disparity exceeds allowed limits, it results in a failed test, which may require corrections like refunds to higher-paid employees.
