Marcia Wagner is the founder of The Wagner Law Group, one of the nation’s largest and most highly regarded law firms specializing in ERISA, employee benefits, and executive compensation, and has practiced employee benefits law for over 38 years. Ms. Wagner is an authority on qualified and non-qualified plans, fiduciary issues, deferred compensation, and welfare benefit arrangements, with experience in plan design and drafting, compliance, tax planning, and consultation on all aspects of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. Ms. Wagner also serves as an expert witness in ERISA litigation. Ms. Wagner has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors for the American Benefits Council, as well as a Member to the Board of Governors of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel. Ms. Wagner has written hundreds of articles and 27 books. She is a highly sought after lecturer, is widely quoted in financial journals and has been a guest on Fox, CNN, Bloomberg, and NBC.

In this episode, Eric and Marcia Wagner discuss:

• Committing to continually enhancing services
• Best practices that benefit professionals must follow
• Adopting investment policy statements and other governance documents
• Doing things with integrity and excellence

Key Takeaways:

• Providers must continually enhance services to meet evolving industry standards, legal requirements, and client expectations. 
• Benefit professionals should follow best practices, such as documenting processes, monitoring fees, evaluating service providers through RFPs and benchmarking, and thoroughly documenting meeting minutes to demonstrate prudent fiduciary processes.
• Investment policy statements, although not legally mandated, are considered fiduciary best practices for retirement plans and should be treated as plan documents if adopted.
• Believe in the industry's support for the middle class and social stability, maintaining humanity, generosity, flexibility, enthusiasm, pursuing excellence and integrity, and embracing the notion that everything will work out in the end.

“Remember your humanity, and don't let the bastards get you down because you will encounter people who are good. Have a generous heart and just be as flexible as you can be. Be open to things that are new. Be enthusiastic. Try to do what you do with excellence and integrity.” - Marcia Wagner

Connect with Marcia Wagner:

Website: https://www.wagnerlawgroup.com/attorney/wagner-marcia-s/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciawagner 

Connect with Eric Dyson: 

Website: https://90northllc.com/

Phone: 940-248-4800

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ 

The information and content of this podcast is general in nature and is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date but may be subject to change.

It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.

The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.