The Easiest Path to Lower Costs and Simpler Compliance
Our Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) with Principal allows companies with 120+ participants to potentially eliminate $10,000–$40,000 per year in audit costs while offloading significant fiduciary risk.
A Modern Alternative to the Traditional 401(k)
The SECURE Act of 2019 created a breakthrough for growing businesses. A Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) allows multiple unrelated employers to participate in a single, professionally governed retirement plan. Unlike a traditional 401(k) where you are the sole sponsor, a PEP pools resources to achieve economies of scale that were previously only available to the largest corporations in the country.
Stop Paying for Annual Plan Audits
For most plans with over 100-120 participants, an annual independent audit is a legal requirement—costing your company significant time and money.
- The Traditional Way: You hire an outside CPA firm, pay $10k–$40k, and spend weeks of HR time on data collection.
- The PEP Way: The audit is performed at the PEP level, not the employer level. Participating employers typically avoid the need for a separate annual audit entirely.
- Visual Idea: A simple "Before vs. After" comparison showing the removal of the audit fee.
Why Leading Firms are Switching to the PEP
For most plans with over 100-120 participants, an annual independent audit is a legal requirement—costing your company significant time and money.
- Reduced Fiduciary Liability: As the Pooled Plan Provider (PPP), the fiduciary responsibility for administration and investment selection is shifted away from your internal committee.
- Principal as Recordkeeper: We utilize Principal, one of only a few elite recordkeepers in the nation with the infrastructure to support this specific PEP structure.
- Operational Relief: We handle the Form 5500 filings, plan document maintenance, and compliance testing. Your team stays focused on your business, not retirement paperwork.
Designed for Growth-Oriented Companies
While the PEP is a powerful tool, it is not a “one size fits all” solution. It is ideal for:
- Companies with 120 to 1,000+ participants.
- Organizations looking to reduce 401(k) expenses.
- Committees that want to outsource fiduciary risk.
- HR teams seeking to eliminate administrative friction.
Secure Your Plan’s Future Today
Whether you have 120 participants or 1,000+, our goal is to simplify the complex so you have peace of mind.