Managed accounts promise professional portfolio management inside your 401(k). More personalization. More oversight. More help for participants who do not want to manage investments themselves.But do they actually deliver better outcomes, or just higher fees and a false sense of security?In the final episode of the season, Isaac argues that managed accounts bring institutional-level expertise to everyday participants. Marta questions whether they outperform low-cost target date funds or simply layer on unnecessary complexity and cost.They cover when managed accounts add real value, when they do not, how fees are often buried in proposals, and why plan sponsors need to understand exactly what they are offering participants.If you are a plan sponsor, advisor, committee member, or service provider, this episode will challenge how you think about default investments, personalization, and fiduciary responsibility.Schedule a conversation with Fiduciary Wise athttps://fiduciarywise.com/schedulingSubscribe for more debates and fiduciary insights!#ManagedAccounts #401k #RetirementPlans #FiduciaryDuty #ERISA #PlanSponsors #InvestmentOversight

ESG funds are everywhere, but should they be inside a retirement plan?In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, hosts Marta Hurst and Isaac Wood go head-to-head on one of the most debated topics in the 401(k) space. Do ESG funds genuinely serve participants, or do they complicate a fiduciary’s responsibility to remain prudent, neutral, and process-driven?They break down what ESG really means, how the Department of Labor views these investments, and why offering ESG options is not as simple as responding to participant demand. From investment policy standards to participant education and brokerage windows, this debate digs into what plan sponsors and advisors actually need to consider before adding ESG funds to a lineup.If you serve on a committee, advise plan sponsors, or help design retirement plans, this conversation will challenge how you think about values, discretion, and fiduciary duty.Listen now and join the debate.Learn more or schedule a conversation at https://fiduciarywise.com#ESGInvesting #401kFiduciary #RetirementPlans #ERISA #TheWiseFiduciaryPodcast

Investment fiduciaries sound straightforward until you ask one question. Who actually owns the risk?In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst and Isaac Wood go head to head on one of the most misunderstood decisions in retirement plan governance: hiring a 3(21) versus a 3(38) investment fiduciary. Isaac argues that full delegation is the most prudent path for plan sponsors who want real protection. Marta pushes back and asks whether giving up control always makes sense and whether employers are still expected to understand what they are delegating.They break down what these roles really mean, how fiduciary liability shifts, why many plan sponsors think they have more protection than they actually do, and where advisors sometimes blur the lines. This is not a technical definition episode. It is a real debate about responsibility, expertise, control, and what ERISA actually expects from employers.If you are a plan sponsor, advisor, committee member, or service provider, this conversation will challenge how you think about investment decision making inside a 401k plan.Watch the full debate and decide where you land. Full delegation or shared responsibility.Schedule a conversation with Fiduciary Wise at fiduciarywise.com/schedulingSubscribe for new episodes every Thursday#401k#Fiduciary#ERISA#InvestmentFiduciary#RetirementPlans#PlanSponsors#401kDebate#WealthManagement#RetirementEducation

Are PEPs actually helping plan sponsors or are they just another retirement plan trend that sounds better than it performs? In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary, Isaac Wood and Marta Hurst debate the real-world pros and cons of Pooled Employer Plans. We get into fiduciary responsibility, hidden complexities, and the questions you should be asking yourselves.If you’re a business owner, HR leader or advisor who wants clarity instead of sales talk, you might just want to hit that subscribe button!Schedule a meeting with our team: https://www.fiduciarywise.com/schedulingSubscribe for more episodes every Thursday and stay ahead of the retirement plan curve.#fiduciary #ERISA #retirementplans #401k #PEPs

Is your annual retirement plan meeting checking a box—or building a real fiduciary defense?In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Kate McBride, Marta Hurst, and Isaac Wood of Fiduciary Wise share the must-have elements of a compliant and productive annual meeting. From meeting minutes to monitoring service providers, this episode is packed with tactical advice to help plan sponsors follow ERISA—and prove it.🎧 Whether you're a plan sponsor, advisor, or TPA, this episode will leave you with actionable steps (and maybe a few wake-up calls).Recent podcast episodes mentioned in this episode below!Kate McBride and Jim Watkins Interview: https://youtu.be/JV1bYOzVs7AMarta Hurst & Isaac Wood React to Kate & Jim: https://youtu.be/UOGQ1d2rwPwReach out to us at fiduciarywise.com

It's not just about fees. It's not just about investments. It's about what you didn’t document.Plan sponsors are facing a surge in ERISA lawsuits—and many never saw it coming. In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, we break down the real reason fiduciaries are getting hit with claims (hint: it has to do with procedural prudence) and what you can do to protect yourself and your retirement plan.✅ Learn how to avoid the #1 fiduciary oversight✅ Understand the documentation gaps that trigger litigation✅ Get clear, actionable tips on improving fiduciary governanceKey Topics Covered:• What recent lawsuits reveal about fiduciary risk• The role of process over performance in ERISA compliance• Simple ways to strengthen your documentation• Practical takeaways to protect your plan and your roleWho should watch this:401(k) plan sponsors, HR leaders, CFOs, retirement committee members, and financial advisors looking to stay compliant and reduce risk.Subscribe so you don’t miss a minute.Connect with Fiduciary Wise:FiduciaryWise.com | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | SpotifyKate's Interview with Jim Watkins: https://youtu.be/JV1bYOzVs7A?si=0IN1i0mF2ndWvHABMarta & Isaac react to Kate & Jim's Interview: https://youtu.be/UOGQ1d2rwPw?si=hxKBPpq-a0sM6gwY#FiduciaryDuty #ERISACompliance #401kLawsuits #PlanSponsor #RetirementPlan #FiduciaryWise #ProceduralPrudence #ERISA #ComplianceTips #401kRisk #RetirementPlanSponsor #HRLeaders #CFOInsights

Fee reasonableness isn’t just a best practice — it’s a legal requirement under ERISA. In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst, Isaac Wood, and Kate McBride of Fiduciary Wise dig into what it takes to demonstrate fee reasonableness under ERISA. They break down the critical differences between simply assessing fees and actually documenting the rationale behind them — especially when failure to do so could result in a prohibited transaction.You’ll learn:- What the law actually says about fee reasonableness- How to assess whether your plan fees are appropriate- What to do when they’re not- Which exemptions apply — and how to document them- Why simply bundling services or trusting your provider isn’t enoughIf you’re a fiduciary who wants to stay compliant and protect plan participants, this episode will sharpen your oversight — and your documentation.The Wise Fiduciary Podcast is hosted by Marta Hurst, Isaac Wood, and Kate McBride of Fiduciary Wise — a team of experts helping retirement plan fiduciaries navigate their responsibilities with clarity and confidence.Follow Fiduciary Wise on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. New insights, real-world guidance, and a little wisdom — delivered straight to your feed.

How can a 402(a) fiduciary work alongside recordkeepers, advisors, and TPAs without stepping on toes? In this episode of The Fiduciary Wise Podcast, Kate McBride and Marta Hurst explain why Fiduciary Wise doesn’t compete with other retirement plan providers — we complete the team.You’ll learn:✅ What a 402(a) fiduciary actually does (and doesn’t do)✅ How to create harmony between all plan providers✅ Why collaboration leads to better outcomes for retirement plan sponsors and participants✅ Real-life examples of successful partnership — and what to avoidIf you’re a plan sponsor, financial advisor, TPA, or recordkeeper, this episode gives you actionable insight into how a collaborative fiduciary approach can drive results, reduce liability, and simplify your retirement plan oversight.Subscribe for more episodes on fiduciary governance, 401(k) best practices, and practical insights for retirement plan professionals.Learn more at fiduciarywise.comTo learn more about Cunningham v. Cornell University, watch Kate and Jim Watkins break it down here: https://youtu.be/JV1bYOzVs7A?si=moiivn1GrMNyFoIQTo deep dive and explore Cunningham v Cornell with Marta and Isaac, watch here: https://youtu.be/UOGQ1d2rwPw?si=OrwmAOSJpxdGGaP5#fiduciary #401kplans #retirementplan #planadvisor #338fiduciary #retirement #financialadvisor #employeebenefits #ERISA #fiduciaryduty

BONUS EPISODE: Reaction to Cunningham v. CornellIn this special bonus episode of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst and Isaac Wood share their candid reactions and insights following the in-depth analysis from Kate McBride and Jim Watkins on the landmark Cunningham v. Cornell University case.Haven’t watched the full breakdown yet? Start there: https://youtu.be/JV1bYOzVs7AIt’s essential context before diving into this discussion.This Supreme Court case is shaking the fiduciary space, and Marta and Isaac unpack why this unanimous decision matters, what stood out to them the most, and what plan sponsors need to understand going forward.Topics include:1. Why Cunningham is different from hundreds of ERISA cases before it2. What it means when the Court actually uses the Restatement3. Shifting the burden of proof: Are plan sponsors ready?If you care about fiduciary standards, prudent process, or ERISA enforcement—you don’t want to miss this.Subscribe now and join us next week for the continuation of Season 3 of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast!#FiduciaryDuty #CunninghamVCornell #ERISA #PlanSponsor #SupremeCourt #RetirementPlans #FiduciaryWise #WiseFiduciaryPodcast #401k #PodcastBonus #InvestmentGovernance #TrustLaw #Restatement #Compliance

Think your 401(k) plan is safe from a lawsuit? You might already be the target.

In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, we explore the real legal exposure facing plan sponsors — especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Cunningham v. Cornell University ruling.

This isn’t theory anymore: the legal standard is “you should have known,” and the burden of proof is on you.If you're the one signing Form 5500, you could be personally liable — not just your company.

Join us as we unpack:

1. What Cunningham v. Cornell means for your fiduciary responsibilities — and why it’s a game-changer

2. How signing the Form 5500 could put your personal assets on the line

3. The rise in 401(k) lawsuits and how even small plans are now being targeted

4. What true fiduciary protection looks like — and how to shift liability off your shoulders

Don’t miss this must-hear conversation that could save your plan — and your name — from becoming the next ERISA headline.

Whether you're a plan sponsor, advisor, HR leader, or fiduciary nerd, this episode will help you navigate the shifting legal landscape of retirement plans with clarity and confidence.

BONUS: We link to expert commentary and exclusive resources on the Cunningham v. Cornell case in the episode description.

Cunningham v. Cornell University Case: https://youtu.be/JV1bYOzVs7A

Why Smart Employers Let Someone Else Sign the 5500: https://youtu.be/hEtruN_-ED4

Subscribe for more insights on fiduciary duty, plan governance, and how to stay out of court.

#ERISA #401kLawsuits #FiduciaryDuty #CornellCase #RetirementPlans #Form5500 #PlanSponsor #LegalRisk #WiseFiduciaryPodcast