401kPlans

The mission of 401kplans.com is utilize technology to bring process, efficiency and transparency to small plan retirement distribution. The regulatory environment and the constant pressure on margin is forcing change within the retirement plan industry. Retirement plans have become the “Blockbuster Video” to the “Netflix” of other voluntary benefits, as we have yet to embrace technology to assist with distribution. Change is difficult but there is a significant opportunity to work collaboratively to launch a platform that assists financial advisors and TPA’s as well as supports the business models and value propositions of Providers and Investment Managers.

In the small plan market, it is estimated that greater than 80% of transactions are completed by “generalist” financial advisors that may not have the expertise, tools or capacity to follow a prudent process where anything more than total cost is measured. Understanding the objectives of their clients and which 401(k) Provider would be the best fit, is clearly missing from the equation. Retirement “specialist” advisors may have the knowledge and tools but may not have the capacity to spend the hours needed to complete a proper due diligence process for smaller plans. There’s a tremendous opportunity to leverage technology to solve these problems and make small plan distribution that much more efficient for all parties involved in a retirement plan transaction.

401kplans.com, the industry’s first Small Business Retirement Plan Marketplace (online and mobile app) for financial advisors and TPA’s. The business model of 401kplans.com is to work collaboratively with Providers and Investment Managers to offer financial advisors and TPA’s access to innovative technology to help comply with their fiduciary obligations. The application intuitively walks the user thru a consistent due diligence process that reduces the time involved from 10+ hours of manual work, down to a few minutes on an app.

401kplans.com LLC was founded by Scott Buffington, a former National Sales Manager of MassMutual Retirement Services. He is a 20+-year industry veteran in retirement services and investment management. Prior to this initiative, Scott spent 6+ years successfully leading the largest advisor sold sales team within the industry, responsible for all plan sizes and tax codes. Well known, highly respected, distribution leader (technology and data geek) within financial services industry and frequent conference speaker on current issues facing the retirement industry.