As the end of the year approaches, retirement plan sponsors have an important opportunity to review their plan's operations, ensure compliance requirements are being met, and position participants for long-term retirement success. Addressing key administrative, fiduciary, and participant-focused responsibilities before year-end can help reduce risk, improve plan effectiveness, and minimize last-minute surprises.
A structured year-end review can help employers stay organized and ensure their retirement plan continues to operate in the best interests of participants.
Review Compliance and Plan Operations
Year-end is an ideal time to review your plan's administrative processes and confirm the plan is operating according to its governing documents. Plan sponsors should verify that employee eligibility is being tracked correctly, contributions are processed accurately, and employer matching contributions are being calculated appropriately.
It's also important to review participant data for accuracy. Confirm that employee census information, compensation records, and contribution data are complete and up to date. Identifying and correcting discrepancies now can help prevent larger compliance issues later.
Prepare for Annual Testing
For plans subject to annual nondiscrimination testing, year-end preparation is essential. Reviewing participation rates, deferral percentages, and contribution patterns before testing begins may provide an opportunity to address potential concerns before corrective action becomes necessary.
Employers should work closely with their recordkeeper, third-party administrator, or advisor to ensure all required data is gathered and testing preparations are underway. Early planning can help avoid unexpected outcomes and reduce administrative challenges.
Conduct a Fiduciary and Governance Review
A year-end review is also an excellent opportunity to assess fiduciary oversight practices. Plan committees should evaluate whether governance procedures remain effective and ensure fiduciary responsibilities are being fulfilled.
Key areas to review include investment monitoring processes, committee meeting schedules, fiduciary training activities, and decision-making procedures. Sponsors should also confirm that important documentation, including meeting minutes, investment reviews, fee analyses, and service provider evaluations, is complete and properly maintained.
Strong documentation not only supports prudent governance but can also provide valuable protection during audits or regulatory reviews.
Evaluate Investment Options and Fees
Plan sponsors have an ongoing responsibility to monitor plan investments and ensure fees remain reasonable for the services provided. Year-end is an ideal time to review investment performance relative to benchmarks and evaluate whether investment options continue to meet the objectives outlined in the plan's Investment Policy Statement.
In addition, sponsors should review administrative expenses, investment fees, and service provider costs. Periodic benchmarking can help confirm that fees remain competitive and aligned with the value of the services being delivered.
Review Service Provider Performance
Recordkeepers, advisors, third-party administrators, and other vendors play an important role in retirement plan administration. Year-end provides an opportunity to evaluate service levels, responsiveness, participant support, reporting capabilities, and overall satisfaction with provider relationships.
Regular reviews help ensure providers continue to meet the needs of both the plan sponsor and participants while supporting efficient plan operations.
Engage Participants Before Year-End
Participant communication is one of the most effective ways to improve retirement readiness. The final months of the year offer a valuable opportunity to encourage employees to review their retirement savings strategy and take action before year-end.
Consider reminders that encourage participants to:
Review contribution rates
Increase savings by 1% or more
Maximize employer matching contributions
Confirm beneficiary designations
Review investment allocations
Utilize available retirement planning resources
Targeted communications can help employees make informed decisions and take greater ownership of their retirement planning.
Promote Financial Wellness Resources
Many employees continue to face financial challenges that can impact their ability to save for retirement. Year-end is a good time to highlight available financial wellness programs, educational resources, retirement calculators, webinars, and planning tools.
Providing access to financial education can help employees feel more confident about their financial future while supporting stronger retirement outcomes.
Plan Ahead for the New Year
A year-end review should also include discussions about future plan goals and priorities. Consider whether plan design enhancements, communication initiatives, automatic enrollment features, or additional financial wellness programs could improve participant engagement and retirement readiness in the coming year.
Establishing objectives now can help create a clear roadmap for success in the year ahead.
Final Thoughts
A proactive year-end review can help employers meet compliance obligations, strengthen fiduciary oversight, improve participant engagement, and position their retirement plan for continued success. By focusing on testing, compliance, governance, participant communications, and overall plan effectiveness, sponsors can address potential issues before they become challenges and finish the year with confidence.
Taking the time to complete a comprehensive year-end checklist today can help create a stronger retirement plan and better outcomes for employees tomorrow.
