Matthew Eickman, J.D., AIF® is the National Retirement Practice Leader for Qualified Plan Advisors® (QPA). He is also a member of the firm’s Investment Advisory Board, holds his FINRA series 66 registration, and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).

Bentley Ford is the Managing Director, Dallas Market, with Prime Capital Investment Advisors (PCIA) and Qualified Plan Advisors focusing on Qualified Retirement Plans and Wealth Accumulation.

In this episode, Eric, Matthew, and Bentley discuss:

• The use of third-party tools to analyze Target Date Funds
• Considering the client’s needs 
• What committee members want 
• Understanding the needs of participants

Key Takeaways:

• Advisors should consider clients' needs, blending DOL tips and comparative data to create a checklist for target date fund options. 
• Committee members want to prioritize primary goals when selecting target date funds, such as protecting older participants from market downturns or avoiding risk and litigation. They are looking for a targeted fund that aligns with their specific goals, and the advisor can help narrow down the universe based on those goals.
• Committee members often struggle to understand the needs of their participants, leading to a disconnect between investment decisions and the needs of the people they serve. A consultative approach can help bridge this gap by engaging committee members in conversations about the needs of their participants and how to best serve them.

“Instead of saying, hey, I want to look at a bunch of numbers with you. Let's instead talk about what our primary goals or purposes are, with any suite of target date funds we have.” - Matthew Eickman

Connect with Matthew Eickman and Bentley Ford:

Website: https://qualifiedplanadvisors.com 

Connect with Eric Dyson: 

Website: https://90northllc.com/

Phone: 940-248-4800

Email: [email protected] 

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

The information contained herein is general in nature and is provided solely for educational and informational purposes.

It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation of any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, financial advice or legal advice.

The specific facts and circumstance 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.