The Sentinel Show

Sentinel Pension

Sentinel Pension presents The Sentinel Show! Join Sentinel Pension Partner, Melissa Terito, and Director, Kasey Melancon, as they explore hot topics in the retirement plan industry.

  1. FEB 24

    The Sentinel Show S7 E4: The Power of the Committee

    Melissa Torito and Kacen Lawson are back to provide the "how-to" on staying protected. In this episode of The Sentinel Show, they dive deep into the world of Investment Committees—demystifying what they are, why they exist, and how to build one that actually adds value to your retirement plan. Whether you are managing a five-person startup or a $100 million plan, the hosts break down the practical logistics of plan oversight. From the "magic" of odd numbers in committee sizing to the critical importance of looking beyond the C-suite for members, Melissa and Kacen share expert insights on keeping your plan compliant and your participants happy. Key highlights include: The Ideal Size: Why three to five members is the "sweet spot" for most small to mid-sized firms. The "Document or it Didn't Happen" Rule: Why meeting minutes are your best defense during an IRS or Department of Labor audit. Beyond Leadership: The benefits of including trusted employees and subject matter experts to get a diverse perspective on plan performance. Fee Monitoring: How active oversight—not just picking the "cheapest" option—prevents the lawsuits that plague unmonitored plans. Thresholds for Change: Identifying the participant counts and asset sizes that warrant a fully formed, formal committee. Don't let your retirement plan fall into the "set it and forget it" trap. Tune in to learn how to lean on your TPAs and advisors to build a committee that stands up to scrutiny.

    10 min
  2. The Sentinel Show S7E2: The Don’ts of Being a Fiduciary: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

    JAN 27

    The Sentinel Show S7E2: The Don’ts of Being a Fiduciary: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know

    If you sponsor a retirement plan, the fastest way to get into trouble is assuming fiduciary rules do not apply to you or overlooking warning signs when something feels off. In this episode of The Sentinel Show, Melissa Terito and Kasey Melancon break down the biggest fiduciary don’ts that can lead to audits, penalties, and unnecessary risk. You will hear why you cannot outsource all fiduciary responsibility, which red flags deserve immediate attention, and how simple documentation habits can protect you if the Department of Labor comes knocking. They also cover why company convenience should never come before participants’ best interests and why delaying corrections usually makes problems more expensive. In this episode, we cover:✅Why you should never assume you are not a fiduciary🚩Red flags to take seriously, including late employee deferrals and participant complaints📝How to document decisions without overcomplicating the process⚖️Avoiding conflicts of interest and putting participants first⏱️Why fixing mistakes early is almost always easier and cheaper Want to round out the two-part series? Start with S7E1 for the do’s, then come back to this one for the don’ts. Have any questions about this episode’s topic? Let us know! Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentinel (sp-tpa.com)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Call us at 225-300-8478 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by Adam Vitovsky

    12 min
  3. 11/11/2025

    S6E8: Educating Participants - The Overlooked Key to Retention and Engagement

    As the year winds down, Melissa Terito and Kasey Melancon close out another season of The Sentinel Show with an important conversation on a topic that’s often overshadowed - participant education. In this episode, Melissa and Kasey dive into why it’s essential for employers to actively educate their employees about the retirement plan benefits they offer. They discuss how understanding plan provisions like eligibility, vesting, loans, and hardships can improve retention, reduce frustration, and help employees truly see the value of their total compensation package. From tips on creating easy-to-understand one-pagers to incorporating retirement education into annual open enrollment meetings, this episode offers practical advice for plan sponsors looking to make a lasting impact. Plus, Melissa and Kasey reflect on the close of Season 6,share some holiday laughs, and hint at exciting news coming soon from the Sentinel team. Tune in for:💡Why retirement plan education matters now more than ever 🗣️How to communicate plan benefits effectively 🤝The connection between participant understanding and employee retention 📈 A look ahead to "selling season" and what’s next for The Sentinel Show 🎧 Listen in, take notes, and get ready for another year of helping participants feel empowered about their financial futures. Have any questions about this episode’s topic? Let us know! Visit our website for more information: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sentinel Pension (sp-tpa.com)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Call us at 225-300-8478 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by Adam Vitovsky

    11 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Sentinel Pension presents The Sentinel Show! Join Sentinel Pension Partner, Melissa Terito, and Director, Kasey Melancon, as they explore hot topics in the retirement plan industry.