The Wise Fiduciary Podcast

Fiduciary Wise
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The Wise Fiduciary is your go-to source for everything related to fiduciary responsibility, ERISA, and retirement plans. As a podcast owned and produced by Fiduciary Wise, we're committed to sharing the latest news and information on the industry, as well as best practices and expert advice to help retirement plan advisors, TPAs, and other service providers stay ahead of the curve. If you're looking to stay informed and up-to-date on all things fiduciary, ERISA, and retirement planning, then The Wise Fiduciary is the podcast for you. Subscribe now and join us on this journey.

  1. 21h ago

    Does Joining a PEP Really Reduce Fiduciary Liability?

    Many employers join a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) believing most of their fiduciary liability disappears. That's one of the biggest misconceptions in today's retirement plan industry. In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explains what fiduciary responsibilities employers still retain after joining a Pooled Employer Plan, how delegation works under ERISA, and why ongoing oversight is still essential for every retirement plan committee and plan sponsor. Whether you're evaluating a new PEP or already participating in one, you'll learn why oversight doesn't end after signing the paperwork. Topics include: Employer responsibilities in a PEPDelegation vs. fiduciary liabilityMonitoring your Pooled Plan Provider (PPP)Reviewing contracts and service agreementsCommon PEP misconceptionsRetirement plan committee best practices Learn more: https://fiduciarywise.com ERISA Fiduciary Checklist:https://fiduciarywise.com/erisa-fiduciary-checklist/ More episodes:https://podfollow.com/1774461504

  2. Aug 13

    The Set It and Forget It Trap in 401k Plan Design | The Wise Fiduciary Podcast S5 E8

    Retirement plans aren't crock pots. One of the biggest fiduciary mistakes isn't making the wrong decision—it's assuming an old decision never needs to be revisited. Marta Hurst welcomes retirement plan consultant Melissa Terito to discuss how automatic enrollment, eligibility rules, matching formulas, compensation definitions, and other legacy provisions can quietly become fiduciary risks when they no longer reflect today's workforce. Learn why periodic plan design reviews matter, how participant education fits into fiduciary oversight, and why "we've always done it this way" isn't a fiduciary defense. Whether you're a plan sponsor, HR leader, committee member, or advisor, this episode offers practical guidance for evaluating whether your retirement plan still works as intended. Special thanks to Melissa Terito for joining this conversation and sharing the TPA perspective on modern retirement plan design. Learn more: Website:https://fiduciarywise.com Schedule a Conversation:https://fiduciarywise.com/scheduling Education Hub:https://fiduciarywise.com/education-hub ERISA Fiduciary Checklist:https://fiduciarywise.com/erisa-fiduciary-checklist Connect with Melissa:https://www.sp-tpa.com/melissaterito https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaterito/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restructured-with-melissa-terito/id1534354111 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sentinel-show/id1542828466

  3. Aug 6

    When Participant Choice Becomes Participant Harm | Why More Investment Options Can Increase Fiduciary Risk

    Does giving participants more investment choices actually help them? Not always. In this episode, Marta Hurst explores one of the most overlooked fiduciary risks in retirement plan design: investment lineup bloat. Many committees assume that adding more funds creates more flexibility and better participant outcomes. In reality, every additional investment increases oversight responsibilities, creates more documentation requirements, and often leaves participants overwhelmed instead of empowered. You'll learn: • Why more investment options aren't always better • How duplicate funds create unnecessary fiduciary exposure • Why participants struggle with overly complex investment menus • What committees should consider before adding another fund • Practical steps for simplifying your investment lineup while strengthening fiduciary oversight This Week's Fiduciary Homework Review your current investment lineup. Can you clearly explain why every investment exists? If not, your lineup may have crossed the fiduciary red line. Learn more: Services:https://fiduciarywise.com/services Education Hub:https://fiduciarywise.com/education ERISA Fiduciary Checklist:https://fiduciarywise.com/checklist ERISA, retirement plans, fiduciary, investment committee, participant investing, employee benefits, plan sponsor, investment menu, fiduciary oversight, retirement plan governance

  4. Jul 30

    The QDIA Comfort Trap: Why Choosing a Default Investment Isn't Enough | The Wise Fiduciary S5 E6

    Choosing a QDIA is only the beginning. Many retirement plan committees believe selecting a Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA) completes their fiduciary responsibility. In reality, that's where the work begins. In this episode, Marta Hurst is joined by retirement investment expert Bryce Sowitch to explore the ongoing responsibility of monitoring target-date funds, evaluating glide paths, understanding participant demographics, and avoiding the common assumption that "set it and forget it" is good governance. If you're responsible for a retirement plan, this episode will help you better understand where your fiduciary responsibility begins—and where the red line actually is. Pull your latest QDIA review documentation and ask: • Why was this investment selected? • Does it still fit our workforce? • Are participant fees reasonable? • Can our committee clearly defend this decision? Learn more: Education Hub https://fiduciarywise.com/education Free Fiduciary Checklist https://fiduciarywise.com/checklist Services https://fiduciarywise.com/services Follow the podcast https://podfollow.com/1774461504 This Week's Fiduciary Homework

  5. Jul 23

    Managed Accounts: Enhancement or Liability? | Season 5 Episode 5

    Most retirement plans now offer managed accounts—but are they actually improving participant outcomes, or simply adding another layer of fees? In this episode of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explores when managed accounts become a fiduciary enhancement… and when they become a fiduciary liability. You'll learn: • Why managed accounts became so common• How fee compression influenced their growth• The fiduciary concerns surrounding managed account QDIAs• How to evaluate fees against measurable participant value• Questions every plan committee should be asking Season 5 focuses on The Fiduciary Red Line—the point where common industry practices quietly become fiduciary risk. This Week's Fiduciary Homework Pull your managed account report and ask: • What does it cost participants?• How many participants actually use it?• Can you demonstrate better outcomes?• Would a target-date fund achieve similar results? Learn more at FiduciaryWise.com.

  6. Jul 16

    When Cheap Gets Expensive: The Hidden Cost of Retirement Plan Fees | The Wise Fiduciary Pod S5 E4

    Everyone wants lower fees. But at what point does fee compression become a fiduciary red flag? In this episode of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explores why the lowest-cost retirement plan option is not always the best fiduciary decision. Lower fees can be a positive outcome—but only when plan sponsors understand what services are being provided, what responsibilities are being shifted, and what potential conflicts exist behind the pricing. This episode explores: • How hidden fees can impact retirement plan costs• Why proprietary investment options require careful review• How service reductions can create additional responsibilities for employers• Why reasonable fees matter more than simply the lowest fees• Questions every retirement plan committee should ask before selecting a provider A fiduciary's job is not to find the cheapest plan. It's to make informed decisions that serve participants' best interests. ERISA, fiduciary, retirement plans, 401k, employee benefits, plan sponsors, retirement committees, compliance, governance Continue the conversation: Read this week's Fiduciary Insight: https://fiduciarywise.com/cheapest-retirement-plan-isnt-best-value/ Download the ERISA Fiduciary Checklist: fiduciarywise.com/checklist Learn more: fiduciarywise.com

  7. Jul 9

    How Much Can You Rely on Your Recordkeeper | The Wise Fiduciary Podcast S5 E3

    How much responsibility does your recordkeeper actually have?Many retirement plan sponsors assume their recordkeeper is responsible for far more than they actually are. While recordkeepers provide valuable administrative support, participant tools, transaction processing, and educational resources, those services do not automatically transfer fiduciary responsibility.In Episode 3 of Season 5 of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explores one of the most common misconceptions in retirement plan governance: where recordkeeper support ends and fiduciary responsibility begins.You'll learn:* What a recordkeeper is actually responsible for* The difference between support and fiduciary delegation* Common assumptions that create unnecessary fiduciary risk* Questions every retirement plan committee should ask* Why your service agreement matters more than you may thinkThe Fiduciary Red Line is designed for retirement plan sponsors, fiduciary committee members, HR professionals, executives, advisors, and anyone responsible for overseeing an ERISA retirement plan.Read the companion article:Explore our Education Hub: fiduciarywise.com/educationDownload the FREE ERISA Fiduciary Checklist: fiduciarywise.com/checklistNeed help evaluating your fiduciary process?Schedule a conversation with the Fiduciary Wise team: fiduciarywise.com/schedulingIf you found this episode helpful, subscribe for weekly fiduciary education covering ERISA governance, retirement plan oversight, committee best practices, and practical guidance for plan sponsors.

  8. Jul 7

    When Industry Standard Becomes a Lawsuit | The Wise Fiduciary Podcast S5 E2

    Just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean it's prudent.In this episode of The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, host Marta Hurst explores one of the most common and dangerous assumptions in retirement plan governance: the belief that "industry standard" equals fiduciary protection.From peer-group benchmarking and investment fee decisions to committee processes and delegated fiduciary responsibilities, Marta breaks down how seemingly routine decisions can create significant fiduciary liability when they are not supported by independent judgment and prudent decision-making.You'll learn:• Why "everyone else is doing it" is not a fiduciary defense under ERISA• How courts evaluate fiduciary prudence—not popularity• The hidden risks of peer-group benchmarking• Why process alone is not enough to protect a committee• How higher fees and strong performance can still create fiduciary concerns• What responsibilities remain after hiring advisors, consultants, or fiduciary service providers• Questions every retirement plan committee should be askingIf you're a retirement plan sponsor, committee member, HR leader, CFO, advisor, or fiduciary, this episode will help you identify where common industry practices may be creating unnecessary risk.⬇️ Download Our FREE ERISA Fiduciary ChecklistThink your plan is covered? Put it to the test.Our ERISA Fiduciary Checklist helps plan sponsors and committee members evaluate whether they are meeting key fiduciary responsibilities and identify potential governance gaps before they become problems.Download here:fiduciarywise.com/checklistHave Questions About Your Plan?If this episode raises questions about your retirement plan, fiduciary process, committee structure, or governance practices, we'd be happy to help.Schedule a conversation with our team:fiduciarywise.com/schedulingAbout Fiduciary WiseFiduciary Wise serves as an ERISA 402(a) Named Fiduciary, helping retirement plan sponsors reduce fiduciary risk through independent oversight, governance support, fiduciary monitoring, and plan administration expertise.DisclaimerThis podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, investment, or fiduciary advice. Every retirement plan situation is unique. Consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances.#ERISA #FiduciaryResponsibility #RetirementPlans #PlanSponsor #401k #RetirementPlanCommittee #RetirementPlanGovernance #ERISACompliance #FiduciaryLiability #NamedFiduciary #402aFiduciary #TheFiduciaryRedLine #FiduciaryWise

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The Wise Fiduciary is your go-to source for everything related to fiduciary responsibility, ERISA, and retirement plans. As a podcast owned and produced by Fiduciary Wise, we're committed to sharing the latest news and information on the industry, as well as best practices and expert advice to help retirement plan advisors, TPAs, and other service providers stay ahead of the curve. If you're looking to stay informed and up-to-date on all things fiduciary, ERISA, and retirement planning, then The Wise Fiduciary is the podcast for you. Subscribe now and join us on this journey.

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  • Creator
    Fiduciary Wise
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fiduciary Wise
  • Show Website
    The Wise Fiduciary Podcast