BackOffice

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Many RIA and broker firms are interested in Pooled Employer Plans but do not know how they should proceed. RIA firms have three options when considering PEPs:

1) Implement their own PEP – in most cases in this scenario, the RIA will partner with a Pooled Plan Provider (P3) to create a PEP. The RIA will agree to function as the 3(38) investment manager for the PEP and, in many cases, the PEP carries the name of the RIA firm. 

The RIA’s advisors market the PEP to existing and potential plan sponsor clients. However, even doing what is right for the client can be problematic if it is not done the right way. There are issues for the RIA to consider before considering this path. 

2) Partner with existing third-party P3/PEP providers – this is a viable option, particularly for RIA firms wanting a presence in the PEP arena without implementing their own PEP offering. 

Similar to working with plan service providers in the single-employer market, the RIA and its advisors continue to collect fees for their services. (PEP-HUB can assist the RIA in choosing the ‘best’ P3/PEP partners for the firm, as well as for their valuable client base).

3) Partner with PEP-HUB – offering the best solution, partnering with PEP-HUB provides RIAs an integrated approach to the world of PEPs (and other pooled plan arrangements).  

• As the RIA’s or broker-dealer’s partner, PEP-HUB:  
• acts as RIA’s and b-d back office  
• assists RIA and b-d’s in choosing P3/PEP partners  
• assists RIA and b-d compliance group in implementing PEP protocols   
• assists RIA and b-d’s in marketing efforts  
• manages advisor and rep questions and inquiries  
• provides ongoing monitoring support  
• provides training for advisors, reps and employers