FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ's
Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Is GRG fee-based or paid a commission?
Garnett Retirement Group operates as a hybrid so we can be paid by a fee or commission. The majority of our revenue is from fee-based business. We work hard to maintain our independence to provide more payment options for our clients.
How much do I need to get started with GRG?
We do not have a minimum account balance requirement to become a client. The cost for our level of service may not be right for smaller balance accounts, so we consult with prospects and find the best solution for their current needs.
Who handles my account if something happens to my financial advisor?
Our firm works as a team which is the basis for our business continuation plan. With or without your financial advisor, you’ll continue to get the higher level of service that we deliver each and every day.
Does GRG have the right investment lineup?
As retirement plan specialists, we provide investment advisory services through Independent Financial Partners to plan sponsors. We can act as ERISA 3(21) investment advisors, sharing investment fiduciary responsibility with you. As such, we will assist you in choosing and monitoring investment options for the plan, by making recommendations for the consideration of the plan’s fiduciaries. Our recommendations will help you meet the “broad range” requirements of ERISA 404(c), and the “Qualified Default Investment Alternative” under ERISA.
Along with the plan’s fiduciaries, we will assist with the review of the Investment Policy Statement, recommending updates as needed. This document serves as guidance for the plan’s investment decisions, and should clearly define investment objectives and constraints.
I’m a plan sponsor. Are we getting value for our cost?
Our step-by-step vendor search and selection process helps ensure that you are getting value for the investment you make in a retirement program. We begin by meeting with your committee to clarify goals and objectives. Then, we recommend a list of vendors we believe are qualified for the job. Once an RFP (Request For Proposal) has been delivered to vendors, we assist in coordinating the RFP and evaluating provider responses, including vendor inquiries. When all responses have been gathered, we present them to the committee using a comparative report that details their capabilities, their fees, and any other pertinent information, along with our recommendation for finalists.
Once the committee chooses finalists, we interview the candidates and make our ultimate recommendation for your new vendor. With the vendor in place, we also provide ongoing support for the implementation and transition.
I’m a plan fiduciary. How can I mitigate risk?
Being a plan fiduciary can be daunting; we can help. For our clients who wish us to share their investment fiduciary responsibility, we have the flexibility to become ERISA 3(21) fiduciary advisors. We will review and recommend investment options for the plan, while you remain in the driver’s seat, making the ultimate decisions.
While it is important for the plan committee to follow well-defined practices, it is also critical to maintain proper documentation of those practices. Garnett Retirement Group will assist you in the preparation of the Investment Policy Statement, and then help you work within its guidelines, recommending replacement investment options as needed.
Does our plan’s design contribute to its success?
You may hear the phrase ‘retirement readiness’ tossed around a lot these days. What does it really mean? It’s much more than a high percentage of employees participating in the plan, although that may be one element. Retirement readiness can and should be measured for each individual participant. If a participant’s account balance remains at a minimal level, they are unlikely to reach the amount needed to comfortably retire.
Overcoming this challenge takes a deep understanding of plan design, strategy, and financial behavior. It also takes a commitment to educating employees. Garnett Retirement Group brings you both. We provide plan design assistance, and can help you use your designated retirement plan dollars more effectively to move employees closer to their retirement goals.
Is our plan competitive?
How does your plan compare in terms of design, fees, investment performance, services? Garnett Retirement Group can review the important elements of your plan and compare them against the broader market, so you will understand how your plan stacks up.
What kinds of education do you provide?
Education is a critical part of what we do. For the plan committee: we will help the team understand how the plan compares to those of competitors in terms of design, investment selection, and participation. We help committee members understand their fiduciary responsibilities. We’ll also keep you informed about legislative and marketplace changes.
For plan participants, we will help create a plan/policy for employee retirement education and enrollment. We conduct group meetings in addition to scheduling ‘one on one’ time with plan participants in an effort to ensure employees are getting the most from their plan. Following education efforts, we measure results, and then work with the plan sponsors to design and implement ongoing education efforts. Our team also assists employees with rollovers into the plan and provides transition support for terminated and retiring employees.