Product Updates
CGOG™ Focused on Results
CGOG™ is the investment industry's version of Moneyball, identifying investments that consistently hit singles and doubles while avoiding Hero to Zero funds.
Read more: CGOG™ Focused on Results1 min read
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51 posts
Plan Expense – A Subject Matter Review - Revised
A 2026 revision of the foundational white paper on retirement plan expenses, covering settlor versus plan expenses, allocation methods, prohibited transactions, the 408(b)(2) and 404a-5 disclosure rules, current case law, and a full expense-definition checklist.
75 min read · PDF
Morningstar Peer Group Changes Are Coming October 30. Here’s What You Need to Know.
On October 30, 2026, Morningstar is updating peer group methodologies across US retail funds, fee level groups, and 529 plans. Here's what's changing, and how PlanTools' Peer Group Lab lets you override classifications you don't agree with.
2 min read
How to Benchmark Retirement Plan Fees and Performance
A step-by-step guide for advisors to evaluate fee competitiveness, justify their value, and document a defensible benchmarking process for plan sponsors.
1 min read
CGOG™ Focused on Results
CGOG™ is the investment industry's version of Moneyball, identifying investments that consistently hit singles and doubles while avoiding Hero to Zero funds.
1 min read
Designed to Impress.
Scorecards are part of a prudent process, but they should never be the entire process. CGOG™ is the missing analytical layer that helps fiduciaries identify consistency, manage risk, and build defensible investment decisions.
2 min read
Process, Not Outcomes, Governs Fiduciary Prudence
ERISA and traditional trust law judge prudence based on the process used at the time of the decision, not investment results in hindsight. Three Supreme Court decisions reaffirm this position.
1 min read
What is CGOG™
The most revealing investment research available in the industry for retirement plans and wealth management clients. Learn how CGOG™ goes beyond traditional scorecards to deliver dynamic, rolling time-series analysis.
1 min read
Wanek v. Russell Investments Trust Company: Key Takeaways for ERISA 3(38) Advisors
The District Court of Nevada issued an Order regarding Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment in Wanek v. Russell Investments Trust Company, offering critical lessons for advisors acting in a 3(38) capacity.
3 min read · PDF
Statute of New Limitations: How the Intel Decision Changes ERISA Litigation Risk
In the wake of the Intel decision, recordkeepers that provide a cost-effective solution to the 'actual knowledge' dilemma will likely see an increase in business activity.
3 min read · PDF
Revenue Sharing FAQ's
A practical guide to how PlanTools sources, segregates, and applies revenue-sharing data, including 12b-1 fees, shareholder service fees, and ERISA § 408(b)(2) disclosures, so advisors can run accurate, defensible fee benchmarking studies.
2 min read · PDF
Finding Value Under the New DOL Regime
Everyone in the industry is contemplating what they must do to comply with the New DOL Fiduciary Regulation. Product manufacturers must identify value adds.
1 min read · PDF
Is the DOL Fiduciary Rule the End of Solicitor Arrangements? – Part 2
Every solicitor will become a fiduciary. This alone may be sufficient reason for some FAs to exit the industry, but what is more likely is a flood of new fiduciaries.
1 min read · PDF
Tech Solutions: The Key to TPAs' Future
There is a growing reliance on TPAs to deliver more technology-driven solutions that enhance an advisor's ability to win new clients and keep existing ones.
1 min read · PDF
The Genesis of ERISA - Happy Birthday
A humorous reflection on the genesis of ERISA and the creation of retirement plan regulations on its birthday.
1 min read · PDF
Additional Thoughts on Tussey v. ABB: Fiduciary Lessons Aplenty
The district court's latest decision in Tussey v. ABB found ABB breached their fiduciary duties. The moral victory for plaintiffs can prove instructive for other fiduciaries.
1 min read · PDF
Best Practices in Share Class Conversions
An informal poll of recordkeepers finds differing opinions on how a share class disclosure process should go. The Tibble v. Edison case has put more pressure on plan sponsors to be vigilant.
1 min read · PDF
ERISA Statute of Limitations: How to Reduce Your Fiduciary Liability by 50%
The risk of excessive fee litigation can be mitigated using ERISA's statute of limitations. Here's how to leverage it effectively.
1 min read · PDF
Benchmarking: A Means to Meet Compliance Obligations
Building a technology platform to benchmark plan fees that is easy, cost effective, and sufficient to establish a documentation trail to support a prudent compliance process.
1 min read · PDF
Plaintiffs Fail to Float Claim Past District Court
The U.S. District Court has determined that float income is not a plan asset. This may be the last we hear about ERISA claims involving float.
1 min read · PDF
$140 Million Settlement: What It Means to Your Retirement Plan Practice
This settlement is nearly 10-times greater than other recent high-profile settlements. It includes action items that represent a blueprint to mitigate litigation risk.
1 min read · PDF
Settlement Provides Guidance on Fiduciary Governance
While a settlement holds no weight beyond the signatory parties, the terms can be highly instructive and guide internal policies and procedures.
1 min read · PDF
The Silver Lining in ERISA 408(b)(2)
New laws that impose new obligations impose new procedures which require new services that justify additional fees. Fortune favors the prepared mind.
1 min read · PDF
Valuable Lessons: Working with Offshore Developers
Ten tips that can improve your probability of success when using offshore software developers, based on years of experience with both good and bad outcomes.
1 min read · PDF
Risk Mitigation Starts with Retaining Demonstrated Experts
A plan sponsor that lacks expertise is obligated to seek qualified experts. But to what extent can they rely on their expert's advice? Clark v. Feder Semo and Bard provides important direction.
1 min read · PDF
The Clock is Ticking: 408(b)(2) Audit Season and Tussey v. ABB
The DOL and plaintiff firms will be evaluating the 2012 audit results for trends and vulnerabilities among RPFs and CSPs for targeting DOL audits and plaintiff litigation activity in 2014.
1 min read
The Clock is Ticking: 408(b)(2) Compliance and the Audit Season
As audit season approaches, covered service providers must ensure their 408(b)(2) disclosures are complete.
1 min read · PDF
With 408(b)(2) Disclosures in Hand, What's Next?
Now that July 1, 2012 has passed and responsible plan fiduciaries have received their 408(b)(2) disclosures, the question is: what comes next?
1 min read · PDF
With 408(b)(2) Disclosures in Hand, What's Next?
Now that July 1, 2012 has passed and responsible plan fiduciaries have received their 408(b)(2) disclosures, many plan sponsors are asking what's next.
1 min read
6th Circuit QDIA Ruling: How Fiduciaries Can Avoid Investment Loss Liability
A landmark ruling affirms that plan fiduciaries do not breach their duty when a participant's account balance is transferred to a QDIA without explicit consent, provided proper procedures are followed.
3 min read · PDF
6th Circuit Court Issues Analysis of QDIA Requirements
A detailed analysis of the Sixth Circuits ruling on QDIA requirements and what it means for plan fiduciaries and 3(38) investment managers.
1 min read
Proper Advisor Benchmarking: Why Facts Beat Opinions for ERISA Compliance
As 408(b)(2) and 404(a)(5) disclosures become effective, plan sponsors need a strategy to document their files to support their continued use of the advisor as prudent, reasonable, and conflict free.
2 min read · PDF
6th Circuit Rules on QDIA: Detailed Analysis
An in-depth analysis of the 6th Circuit's ruling on Qualified Default Investment Alternatives and its implications for plan fiduciaries and 3(38) investment managers.
1 min read · PDF
ERISA 3(21) vs 3(38) Fiduciary: Understanding the Key Differences
Understanding the distinctions between ERISA § 3(21) fiduciary advisors and § 3(38) investment managers is essential for mitigating risk and meeting your fiduciary obligations.
1 min read · PDF
408(b)(2) Compliance Checklist: A Diagnostic Assessment for Plan Fiduciaries
A comprehensive checklist for responsible plan fiduciaries to ensure covered service provider disclosures meet the requirements of ERISA Section 408(b)(2).
1 min read · PDF
Are You a Self-Proclaimed or a Recognized Expert? Part 2
Not all advisors can be experts at a level that can survive scrutiny, but understanding expertise in the legal and academic sense holds lessons for all advisors regardless of their current practice level.
2 min read
Are You a Self-Proclaimed or Recognized Expert? Part 2: Building Your Expertise
Understanding expertise in the legal and academic sense holds lessons for all advisors.
1 min read · PDF
Disclosing Commissions: The Registered Rep Dilemma Under 408(b)(2)
With 408(b)(2) fee disclosure rules in effect, commissioned advisors face new challenges in meeting disclosure requirements while justifying fee reasonableness.
1 min read · PDF
Are You a Self-Proclaimed or a Recognized Expert? Part 1
Understanding expertise in the legal and academic sense holds lessons for all advisors. This discussion focuses on criteria attorneys use to evaluate experts and how plan sponsors can apply them.
1 min read · PDF
Identifying Plan Fiduciaries Under ERISA Section 408(b)(2)
A must ask, must tell protocol for identifying responsible plan fiduciaries under the new ERISA disclosure requirements.
1 min read · PDF
Identifying Plan Fiduciaries Under ERISA Section 408(b)(2): A Must Ask Must Tell Protocol
With new disclosure requirements in effect, plan sponsors must identify fiduciaries and service providers must know who to communicate with to meet their disclosure obligations.
1 min read · PDF
Fiduciary Benchmarking of Retirement Plan Fees: A Q&A
With the introduction of retirement plan fee disclosure regulations and litigation related to plan fees, there has been significant interest in benchmarking of fees.
1 min read · PDF
Schedule C: A New Era in Annual Reporting
The expanded reporting of direct and indirect service provider compensation on the new Schedule C represents perhaps the most substantive change to Form 5500 content.
1 min read · PDF
Facts Are Stubborn Things: Standards-Based Investment Analytics
Have you ever wondered whether your investment process yielded an undiscovered investment gem or just another widely recognized alternative? A prudent process can yield different recommendations.
1 min read · PDF
Technical Release on Schedule C Code Definitions
The DOL published a new reporting format for Schedule C retirement plan tax returns requiring significantly more disclosure of service provider fees and compensation.
1 min read
Technical Release on Schedule C Code Definitions
The new Schedule C disclosure requirements are intended to improve fee transparency of service providers and permit the DOL and plan sponsor the ability to monitor compensation arrangements.
1 min read · PDF
Designing the Perfect 401(k) Plan
How would you design the perfect 401(k) plan? While there's no universally perfect plan, understanding the primary reasons companies adopt retirement plans helps guide the design process.
1 min read · PDF
In Search of the Perfect 401(k) Plan
How would you design the perfect 401(k) plan? The definition of perfect is subjective, but here are the criteria most important for a coherent risk mitigation strategy.
1 min read · PDF
ERISA Section 404(c) Best Practices: Separating Myths from Facts
After fifteen years, one must wonder why not all participant-directed plans have elected to meet the conditions of 404(c). Are there valid reasons rooted in facts or myths?
1 min read · PDF
Morningstar: Is it the Silver Bullet?
If process is scrutinized more closely than results, has Morningstar achieved silver bullet status? Our analysis reveals that cost and popularity alone do not justify that claim.
1 min read · PDF
Fiduciary Risk Management
Plan sponsors can minimize fiduciary exposure to litigation, reduce insurance costs, and enhance benefit program administration through sound risk management practices.
1 min read · PDF
New Comparability Profit Sharing Plans
Plan sponsors should consider new comparability plans or age-weighted profit-sharing plans that allow significantly larger contributions to higher-paid employees and owners.
1 min read · PDF