Fiduciary Services

NIVM believes that Plan Sponsors and Trustees need to be cognizant of the fiduciary standards established for qualified Plans.

A Registered Investment Advisor (�RIA�) specializing in such plans can be an invaluable partner. If you have a relationship with an RIA who doesn�t provide such services, ABR can bring its expertise to support their work, or, in the absence of an existing RIA, can provide a complete menu of fiduciary services.

The legal, and practical, scrutiny of fiduciaries of qualified Plans is increasing. Plan Sponsors are concerned with the evolving standards under ERISA and the Department of Labor guidelines.

Fiduciary liability is not determined by investment performance, but rather by whether prudent investment practices were followed.

ERISA Section 404(a) requires that fiduciaries select and monitor the investments for the exclusive purpose of providing retirement benefits to participants. In fact, the regulatory language requires the Trustee to act not in the capacity of a �prudent man�, but rather as a �prudent expert�.

ERISA Section 404(c) allows fiduciaries to transfer legal responsibility only for losses resulting from a participant exercise of control. If a participant directed 401(k) plan does not comply with the provisions of 404(c), the plan fiduciaries are responsible for the prudence of the participant investment decision, even when the participant elected and executed the investment transaction. Without the protection of 404 (c), Plan Trustees are exposed to potential personal liability.

With our Fiduciary Services package, or by supporting your RIA, an investment professional becomes co-fiduciary alongside the Plan�s Trustees.

Our fiduciary services include:

• Preparation of an Investment Policy Statement
• Preparation of Section 404(c) Compliance Report to Trustees
• Screen and Recommend Funds
• Modern Portfolio Analysis
• Performance Summary
• Category Screening
• Preparation pf 404 (c) Fiduciary Declaration to Plan Participants
• Immediate prospectus delivery to the Plan Participants
• Annual Review and Analysis of Funds
• Year End Fiduciary Report

Please Contact Us for more information.