Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
Helping employers design and oversee retirement plans that serve both the organization and its employees.
Fiduciary Duty
As a 3(21) fiduciary advisor or 3(38) investment manager, Gaard acts in the best interests of the retirement plan and its participants. In this role, we provide objective investment guidance and apply a disciplined process for evaluating and monitoring the plan’s investment lineup.
How We Add Value
Gaard serves as the plan’s investment fiduciary, overseeing the plan’s investment lineup. We also serve as the plan’s servicing advisor, supporting employers through plan reviews and providing participant education to employees. In this role, we coordinate closely with the plan’s recordkeeper, third-party administrator (TPA), and other service providers to help ensure the plan operates smoothly.
Retirement Plan Services
In coordination with TPAs and recordkeepers, we serve as the plan’s 3(38) investment manager or 3(21) fiduciary advisor and ongoing investment advisor.
Investment Lineup Design
Design and maintenance of an investment lineup aligned with the plan’s objectives, participant needs, and fiduciary standards.
Investment Monitoring & Plan Reviews
Ongoing evaluation of the plan’s investment options, with regular meetings with the employer to review performance, fees, and overall plan structure.
Participant Education
Education sessions and resources that help employees understand the retirement plan, investment options, and long-term saving strategies.
Provider Coordination
Ongoing coordination with the plan’s recordkeeper, third-party administrator (TPA), and other service providers to support day-to-day plan operations.
Plan Implementation
Support for employers establishing a new retirement plan or transitioning to a new recordkeeper or service provider.
Performance Reporting
Clear reporting that tracks investment performance relative to benchmarks, plan objectives, and long-term goals.
CASE STUDIES
See Our Tailored Investment
Solutions in Action
5 min read
Case Study A:
Establishing a First Retirement Plan
A small business with approximately 20 employees seeking to establish its first employer-sponsored retirement plan as part of its employee benefits program.
Case Study A:
Establishing a First Retirement Plan
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The case study presented is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and no representation is made that any investment strategy will achieve similar results. Investment outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances, objectives, and market conditions. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Organization
A small business with approximately 20 employees seeking to establish its first employer-sponsored retirement plan as part of its employee benefits program.
Challenge
The company had not previously offered a retirement plan and needed guidance selecting an appropriate plan structure and coordinating the service providers required to implement the plan. Leadership also wanted an investment lineup that would be simple for employees to understand while meeting fiduciary standards.
Approach
Gaard worked with the company’s leadership team to evaluate retirement plan options and identify an appropriate plan structure. Gaard coordinated the implementation process with the plan’s third-party administrator (TPA), 3(16) administrator, and record keeper, and supported payroll integration to ensure employee contributions could be processed accurately.
Gaard then designed a diversified investment lineup including target-date funds and core investment options suitable for participants with varying levels of investment experience. The firm serves as the plan’s 3(38) investment manager and servicing advisor, providing ongoing investment oversight, plan reviews with the employer, and participant education.
Outcome
The company successfully implemented its first retirement plan, providing employees with access to tax-advantaged retirement savings and a structured investment lineup supported by ongoing fiduciary oversight and plan administration.
5 min read
Case Study B:
Solutions for A Professional Services Firm
A mid-sized professional services firm managing multiple pension plans and investable assets looking for a tailored investment strategy.
Case Study B: Solutions for A Professional Services Firm
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The case study presented is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and no representation is made that any investment strategy will achieve similar results. Investment outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances, objectives, and market conditions. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Our Client
A mid-sized professional services firm managing multiple pension plans and investable assets looking for a tailored investment strategy to ensure financial stability and future growth.
Our Approach
We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the firm’s business, assessing cash flows, liability profiles, and key factors impacting long-term sustainability.
We worked closely with the client to understand their growth vision, resource requirements, risk tolerance, and potential vulnerabilities to market shocks.
Our Solution
We implemented an investment strategy focused on building resilience against fluctuating cash flows, economic volatility, and changes in the firm’s customer base.
We advised the client on proactively identifying potential business risks, ensuring rapid interaction with Gaard Capital OCIO and responsiveness to secure effective hedges and diversification.
The portfolio was carefully balanced across varying risk levels, with an emphasis on both preserving capital and achieving long-term growth.
5 min read
Case Study A:
Establishing a First Retirement Plan
A small business with approximately 20 employees seeking to establish its first employer-sponsored retirement plan as part of its employee benefits program.
Case Study A:
Establishing a First Retirement Plan
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The case study presented is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and no representation is made that any investment strategy will achieve similar results. Investment outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances, objectives, and market conditions. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Organization
A small business with approximately 20 employees seeking to establish its first employer-sponsored retirement plan as part of its employee benefits program.
Challenge
The company had not previously offered a retirement plan and needed guidance selecting an appropriate plan structure and coordinating the service providers required to implement the plan. Leadership also wanted an investment lineup that would be simple for employees to understand while meeting fiduciary standards.
Approach
Gaard worked with the company’s leadership team to evaluate retirement plan options and identify an appropriate plan structure. Gaard coordinated the implementation process with the plan’s third-party administrator (TPA), 3(16) administrator, and record keeper, and supported payroll integration to ensure employee contributions could be processed accurately.
Gaard then designed a diversified investment lineup including target-date funds and core investment options suitable for participants with varying levels of investment experience. The firm serves as the plan’s 3(38) investment manager and servicing advisor, providing ongoing investment oversight, plan reviews with the employer, and participant education.
Outcome
The company successfully implemented its first retirement plan, providing employees with access to tax-advantaged retirement savings and a structured investment lineup supported by ongoing fiduciary oversight and plan administration.
5 min read
Case Study B:
Solutions for A Professional Services Firm
A mid-sized professional services firm managing multiple pension plans and investable assets looking for a tailored investment strategy.
Case Study B: Solutions for A Professional Services Firm
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The case study presented is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and no representation is made that any investment strategy will achieve similar results. Investment outcomes may vary based on individual circumstances, objectives, and market conditions. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Our Client
A mid-sized professional services firm managing multiple pension plans and investable assets looking for a tailored investment strategy to ensure financial stability and future growth.
Our Approach
We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the firm’s business, assessing cash flows, liability profiles, and key factors impacting long-term sustainability.
We worked closely with the client to understand their growth vision, resource requirements, risk tolerance, and potential vulnerabilities to market shocks.
Our Solution
We implemented an investment strategy focused on building resilience against fluctuating cash flows, economic volatility, and changes in the firm’s customer base.
We advised the client on proactively identifying potential business risks, ensuring rapid interaction with Gaard Capital OCIO and responsiveness to secure effective hedges and diversification.
The portfolio was carefully balanced across varying risk levels, with an emphasis on both preserving capital and achieving long-term growth.
What is an employer-sponsored retirement plan?
An employer-sponsored retirement plan allows employees to save for retirement through payroll deductions while benefiting from tax advantages. Common examples include 401(k) and 403(b) plans.
What is the difference between a 401(k) and a 403(b)?
Both plans allow employees to contribute to retirement savings through payroll deductions.
A 401(k) is typically offered by private-sector employers, while a 403(b) is commonly used by nonprofit organizations, schools, and certain public-sector employers.
What is the difference between a 3(21) fiduciary advisor and a 3(38) investment manager?
A 3(21) fiduciary advisor provides investment recommendations to the plan sponsor while the employer retains final decision-making authority.
A 3(38) investment manager has discretionary authority to select, monitor, and replace the plan’s investment options and assumes fiduciary responsibility for those investment decisions.
What does a servicing advisor do?
The servicing advisor provides ongoing support to both the employer and plan participants. Responsibilities often include plan reviews with the employer, participant education meetings, investment lineup guidance, and coordination with the plan’s service providers.
What is a recordkeeper?
A recordkeeper provides the technology platform that tracks participant accounts and processes retirement plan transactions. Participants typically access their retirement accounts through the recordkeeper’s website or mobile platform.
What is Form 5500?
Form 5500 is an annual filing required for most employer-sponsored retirement plans that provides information about the plan’s financial condition, operations, and service providers. The filing is typically prepared by the plan’s TPA and submitted to the Department of Labor and IRS.
What are common investment options in a retirement plan?
Retirement plans typically offer a menu of diversified investment options designed to help participants build long-term retirement savings.
Common options include:
- Mutual Funds: Professionally managed investment funds that pool money from many investors to invest in stocks, bonds, or other securities. Mutual funds are the most common investment option offered in 401(k) and similar retirement plans.
- Target-Date Funds: Diversified funds designed for investors planning to retire around a specific year. These funds automatically adjust their asset allocation over time, becoming more conservative as the target retirement date approaches.
- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): Investment funds that trade on an exchange like a stock and typically track a market index. While historically less common in retirement plans than mutual funds, some modern recordkeeping platforms allow ETFs as investment options.
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