When savings and thrift plans defined this market in the early 1980s, Evaluation Associates focused on analyzing guaranteed investment contracts and helping clients diversify into employee choice programs. We went on to pioneer the evaluation of corporate-sponsored IRAs before the debut of 401(k) plans, and the investment and recordkeeping capabilities of bundled record keepers. This led to assignments of all types, such as corporate 401(k) savings plans, 403(b) plans for nonprofits, and 457 plans for government entities.

Today, we focus on providing full-service consulting for defined contribution investment programs including the following:

Fiduciary assistance

• acting as cofiduciary on the services we provide
• assisting with 404(c) compliance
• conducting fiduciary checkups

Program benchmarking and design

• identifying current marketplace trends
• reviewing current structure versus industry comparisons
• monitoring investment options and fees
• converting defined benefit and defined contribution plans to master trust
• analyzing fees

Investment options

• conducting new options searches, replacing existing options, recommending default options
• reviewing mutual fund, commingled fund, and separate account alternatives
• evaluating target date/lifecycle funds
• analyzing fees
• mapping funds
• evaluating company stock and concentrated ownership patterns

Vendor searches

As well, we offer assistance in finding investment managers/mutual funds and record keepers, and support our clients with communications, education, advice, and contract negotiations.