Be More Than A Fiduciary

Patrick Williams has over 39 years of experience in retirement and employee benefits consulting. As the co-founder of Fiduciary in a Box®, he has created a cloud-based solution to help employers manage their fiduciary responsibilities effectively. With his deep understanding of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Patrick offers invaluable insights to ensure compliance with evolving regula...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about forfeiture lawsuits in defined contribution plans, emphasizing the importance of understanding both IRS regulations and ERISA rules. He explains that forfeitures can be used to pay plan expenses, fund employer contributions, or provide additional benefits to participants in defined contribution plans. Eric advises reviewing plan docu...

For over 30 years, Robin Green has provided Investment Consultants and DC Advisors with competitive analyses, practice management coaching, client service strategies, and sales consulting. She started her career as a plan sponsor, overseeing retirement plans in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. After being recruited by Ann Schleck at Deloitte Consulting, she dedicated 11 years to the retir...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the persistence of revenue share in 401(k) plans, despite some advisors and plan sponsors moving away from it. He highlights a significant flaw in the thinking and fiduciary process that revenue share can be used to “hide” from the participants (to a degree) fees assessed to their account(s). Eric emphasizes the importance of underst...

Emily Perry Short is currently the National Director of Cyber Product at The Baldwin Group regularly consulting on cyber risk management and insurance solutions across a variety of industries with a particular focus on technology, venture capital, and private equity risks. Emily has been in insurance in a variety of forms since 2014, originally as a lawyer focusing on professional liability insura...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the differences between fiduciary and settlor decisions in the context of ERISA plans. Fiduciary decisions, such as cost and investment monitoring, must be made in the best interest of plan participants with a duties of loyalty and prudence. Settlor decisions, like plan design and plan benefit levels, involve aspects like matching co...

“Jania.”  She’s one of those people in the ERISA world who only needs a first name mentioned and everyone knows who you are talking about. With over 25 years of experience in the retirement plan industry, Jania is a passionate and knowledgeable fiduciary leader dedicated to helping employers with fiduciary governance while also focusing on their employees' financial wellness goals. She h...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the importance of adhering to the plan document in both ERISA-regulated health and retirement plans. He emphasizes the four basic fiduciary duties: loyalty, prudence, asset diversification, and following the plan document. He advises plan advisors and committee members to ensure the plan document is clear, integrated into HR systems,...

Paul previously served as the Chief Information Security Officer for an independent Broker-Dealer with billions of dollars in assets under management and thousands of Advisors spread across the United States as well as a major defense contractor providing logistical services. Paul has been a part of several FINRA and SEC Cybersecurity sweeps and examinations and maintains a deep understanding of t...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about ERISA fiduciary training resources for plan committee members and advisors. He outlines a comprehensive document covering four core duties: loyalty, prudence, diversification, and adherence to plan documents, and three additional duties: avoiding prohibited transactions, conflicts of interest, and reasonable cost management. Dyson li...

Christopher (Chris) Taylor is the Director of Client Support for USI Consulting Group.  He is located in Madison, WI. Chris leads USICG’s national provider search, fee benchmarking, and fee negotiation team in addition to providing investment analysis on equity strategies and supporting our sales team across the country. As a result, Chris has an in-depth understanding of the retirement servi...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the importance of ERISA fiduciary training for plan committee members, emphasizing that those with the most responsibility and liability often receive the least training. He highlights the need for clear, dedicated training sessions rather than brief mentions in quarterly meetings.  Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https:...

In this episode, Eric discuss: Going beyond obligations  The difference stewardship makes Procedural and substantive prudence Behavioral governance  Key Takeaways: Being a fiduciary is about meeting legal obligations, but being "more than a fiduciary" involves going beyond just meeting obligations to focus on achieving favorable participant outcomes through good stewardship. Fiduciary ob...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the importance of retirement income solutions within ERISA plans. Eric references the key words in ERISA - “Retirement Income Security,” and highlights the importance of providing retirement security solutions. Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https://90northllc.com/ Phone: 940-248-4800 Email: contact@90northllc.com   Lin...

In this episode, Eric discussed: The metaphorical IRS vs. ERISA Tug-of-War on Forfeitures ERISA Fiduciary Duties and the Plan Document Forfeiture Lawsuits and Plan Document Compliance  Reviewing and Updating the Plan Document for Forfeitures Key Takeaways: There is a proverbial "tug of war" between IRS regulations for qualified plans and ERISA fiduciary principles when it comes to the use of...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about keeping the core fiduciary principles – prudence, loyalty, following plan docs, and diversifying assets – at the forefront, while navigating intricate compliance details.  Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https://90northllc.com/ Phone: 940-248-4800 Email: contact@90northllc.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in...

In this episode, Eric discusses: General concepts on negotiation  The best timing for price negotiation The give and take of negotiations Selling should be a win-win process Key Takeaways: Develop a framework with priorities, goals, and objectives before conducting a record keepers search.  This needs to take place well before selling and negotiating ever start. Negotiate price towards t...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the need for similar fee disclosure standards and prudent fiduciary oversight for retirement plans and healthcare. There are lessons to be learned from past ERISA retirement plan fee disclosures. Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https://90northllc.com/ Phone: 940-248-4800 Email: contact@90northllc.com   LinkedIn: https://...

About Julie Graham: Julie Graham has been with NFP since 2001, leading the Provider Benchmarking and RFP department. With over 25 years of experience, she helps plan sponsors reduce costs, enhance services, and optimize investments for 401(k), 403(b), and other retirement plans. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a BS in Business Administration, Julie also holds a Master’s in Organizatio...

In this special episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the significance of the Army-Navy football game. He highlights the game's unique status as a global event, with both teams being highly ranked and the game being the only major Division I football game on its day.  Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https://90northllc.com/ Phone: 940-248-4800 Email: contact@90northl...

Frank Tighe is a Senior Retirement Sales Director for large market plans in the South/Central region at T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services. With financial services experience dating back to 1994, he joined T. Rowe Price in 2024. Frank has extensive experience supporting corporate retirement plans, including roles in investment consulting, recordkeeping sales, and investment advisory support at...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson wraps up a series on leadership philosophy for ERISA professionals and others in leadership roles. He outlines the seven guiding principles: defining and refining purpose, finding the right people, training them, providing necessary tools, setting standards for excellence, recognizing achievements, and being an inspiration.  He also provide...

Maggie Younis is the VP, Head of Consultant Relations at Lincoln Financial Group, where she has worked since 2010. With over 20 years of industry experience, Maggie holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from DePauw University and multiple professional designations, including CPC, QPA, QKA, TGPC, APA, APR, and ERPA. She was awarded ASPPA’s Educator of the Year in 2018. Alice Palmer is the vice pre...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the importance of being an inspiration. He outlines seven principles: defining and refining purpose, finding the right people, training them, setting high standards, recognizing efforts, and inspiring others. Connect with Eric Dyson:  Website: https://90northllc.com/ Phone: 940-248-4800 Email: contact@90northllc.com   Linke...

Kelby Meyers is the CEO and founder of Nestimate, Inc., focused on driving financial security for retirees. With over a decade in financial services, specializing in insurance and annuity products, he founded Nestimate in 2022 to empower advisors with retirement income solutions. Previously, he was an independent financial representative at Ohio National Financial Services, earning recognition on...