Auto enrollment is a feature by which all or some plan participants (i.e. only new hires) will be automatically enrolled in a sponsor’s 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) retirement plan after meeting eligibility requirements. This feature is commonly referred as a “negative election” because if a participant does not take timely action when they become eligible they will automatically make contributions to the plan at some pre-determined rate of pay.

Expanding and improving employee education is one way an employer can improve its plan by providing invaluable education services not otherwise available to the average worker.

If you are soliciting a new client or even reviewing an existing client’s plan, what do you ask them? In addition to investment issues and performance, here are some key items that you should discuss. While these questions are not exhaustive, they will help you engage the employer in conversation in a structured and concise manner.

With the transfer of investment risk from plan fiduciaries to participants in 401(k) retirement plans, participants have had to become much more investment savvy than at any time in history. Advisors are now dealing with a much better educated client and need to be very clear about what value-added services they bring to the table. It will continue to be a challenge.

Tegrit Group, a leading provider of retirement plan consulting, plan administration and technology services for public and private plan sponsors, today announced it has joined the International Benefits Network.