Retirement Plan Solutions

Newport Capital Group can serve as both an ERISA 3(21) and ERISA 3(38) Appointed Fiduciary.

• ERISA 3(21) Co-Fiduciary Advisor
• We work with the plan sponsor to follow a due diligence process, including the adoption and implementation of an Investment Policy Statement to formalize that process.
• ERISA 3(38) Discretionary Investment Manager
• We are appointed by a plan sponsor to manage the investment process of a retirement plan.

401(k) plans have become America’s primary retirement vehicle, surpassing Defined Benefit pension plans. Companies view these plans as essential for recruiting and overall employee compensation. Setting up a plan is straightforward, but maintaining best practices is complex.

As a 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary partner, Newport Capital Group ensures reasonable plan fees, aligns goals through plan design, establishes a formal review process and monitors investments per an investment policy statement.

Newport Capital Group’s experience with mid to large-sized nonprofit organizations benefits both plan sponsors and participants. Our customizable service model and extensive experience in the defined contribution retirement plan space are key to this success.

Modern 403(b) platforms offer advanced tools and diverse investment choices, but many legacy plans remain. These older plans often involve multiple service providers and restrictive annuity contracts, complicating fiduciary responsibilities. Newport Capital Group upgrades clients’ plans, enhances investment options, streamlines administration and addresses provider annuity complexities.

Newport Capital Group serves as a 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary advisor to pension plans across the U.S. As a 3(21) advisor, we make investment recommendations to your Investment Committee. As a 3(38) advisor, we manage and implement pension investment changes with discretion.

We handle a wide range of pension types and sizes, including management and union plans.

Whether aiming for termination or achieving fully-funded status for open plans, we believe in having a clear picture of plan health and open communication with the actuary to build a customized investment strategy and achieve desired outcomes.

Newport Capital Group offers customized solutions to help plan sponsors manage their retirement programs. For highly compensated employees, nonqualified plans can bridge the retirement savings gap, serving as effective tools for recruitment, retention and rewarding key employees.

We partner with deferred compensation specialists to assess your plan and provide recommendations to meet its objectives. We monitor industry trends and regulations to ensure plans are flexible, competitive and responsive to both the executives and the sponsor’s needs. Our support covers all phases of deferred compensation, including plan design, funding strategies, COLI product analysis, investment advice and asset management.

Cash Balance Plans are Defined Benefit plans structured specifically to meet the increased contribution and equity objectives for owners and partners of professional service firms. Newport Capital Group offers cash balance plans as a tax-advantaged wealth accumulation strategy tool to supplement a firm’s existing defined contribution program.

They provide the following advantages:

• Income deferral opportunities beyond defined contribution plan limits
• Flexibility relating to who is covered and the contribution level
• Tax-deductible contributions that protect assets from creditors
• Lump sum payouts available for rollover or Roth Conversion
• Transparency regarding the cost of each participant’s benefit

Once we understand your goals for a plan merger or acquisition, Newport Capital Group helps you evaluate options. Working with internal counsel, ERISA attorneys, accountants and payroll specialists, we conduct comprehensive due diligence to delineate responsibilities and evaluate plans.

We assist in deciding whether to maintain, terminate or merge existing plans. Depending on the decision, we review advance notice requirements for fund transfers, identify fund mapping strategies, consider plan design, review documents for protected benefits and ensure participant communications are clear. Newport Capital Group acts as a project manager to guide you through these processes.

Newport Capital Group tailors education initiatives using plan demographics and the Education Policy Statement (EPS)to enhance participant engagement.

Retirement benefits are key to workforce retention, making clear, targeted communication essential. Employees have different investment knowledge and concerns, so we develop customized campaigns with onsite meetings, mailings, webinars, and digital content.

In collaboration with sponsors and service providers, we create a 12-month EPS strategy, monitor its effectiveness, and adjust as needed—ensuring compliance, preventing cross-selling, and verifying educator qualifications.