Retirement Services

In today’s competitive benefits landscape, robust 401k plans are more than an incentive—but rather a critical element of any benefits program. Exclusively dedicated to 401k and other defined contribution solutions, our Retirement Services team offers a wealth of expertise to help clients navigate the complexities of retirement planning with confidence and ease. 

Our approach

Our consulting services deliver on every critical aspect of retirement planning—from program design to vendor management and more.

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Customized plan design

We base our recommended plan design on a close assessment of your core objectives, corporate philosophy, employee demographics, recruitment landscape, and other key inputs.

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Enhanced client support

We deliver concierge-level client service to simplify administration and give you and your team lift. This includes a dedicated conversions team for vendor transitions and strategic M&A, access to in-house subject matter experts for ERISA and compliance, and financial wellness.


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Higher employee engagement

Our practice empowers clients with a range of financial literacy and investment education programs to help onboard employees and help them make more informed decisions about their retirement planning.


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A plan that grows with you

We are well-versed in scaling retirement plans for high-growth companies. From startups in the seed phase to enterprise market leaders, we ramp plans to match your growth trajectory.


The Newfront difference

Comprehensive solutions

Exceptional insight. Unmatched client service

With a deep bench of industry practitioners and subject matter experts, we bring a dynamic approach to investment and fiduciary oversight. With data-driven insight and custom benchmarking, we’ll help you craft a full-service retirement program. 

Subject matter expertise

Trusted guidance

We’ve invested in deep expertise in all the areas that are critical to plan success. We speak the language of 401ks so you don’t have to. Our service team expertise includes: 

  • ERISA expertise: We have dedicated in-house counsel for compliance under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, and the Internal Revenue Code. Our other professional designations including CFA, CFP, CIMA, CRPS, AIF, CPC, CPFA, and JD. We conduct regular compliance checks to safeguard plan sponsors and employee rights in your 401k program. 

  • Fiduciary due diligence: As co-fiduciaries on your plan, we strive for peak fiduciary health. This includes proactive education, oversight, governance, and more. 

  • Vendor transitions: Our dedicated conversion team specialize in seamless 401k integrations during mergers and acquisitions and other vendor-related changes.

  • Investment guidance: Our investment committee selects 401k investments based on minimizing fiduciary risk and maximizing your employees' retirement readiness.

Thought leadership

401(k)ology with Joni Jennings

Retirement Services’ in-house ERISA specialist and Chief Compliance Officer Joni Jennings knows more about 401(k) compliance and SEC reporting than anyone on our staff. She is a CPC and CPFA, and her ERISA knowledge is superb. With 30 years of ERISA compliance experience, Jennings brings real value to sponsors of qualified retirement plans by offering compliance support to our team of advisors and to our clients with regular client webinars and deep-dive blog posts. She specializes in IRS/DOL plan corrections for 401(k) plans, plan documents and plan design. Joni’s regular series, “401(k)ology” can be found on our marketing insights blog

Thought leadership

Financial Fitness with Michael Forney

Michael is an Investment Advisor and Financial Wellness Specialist who provides employee education and partners with clients on financial wellness strategies. He possesses a depth of knowledge of employer-sponsored retirement plans, particularly the 401(k). He has a broad range of financial knowledge on investments, high-level tax benefits of various retirement accounts, and savings strategies. Previously, Michael worked at a top-producing advisory firm where he built financial plans for families and businesses as a Financial Planning Specialist.

Technology

Leaning into hi-tech solutions

Newfront is combining human expertise and advanced technology to transform our clients' end-to-end experience.

  • Artificial intelligence: We are building custom AI applications to improve clients' and participants' experience with their benefits solutions

  • Benchmarking: Not all benchmarking is created equal. Our tech capabilities enable us to create hyper-targeted and company-specific insights to optimze plan design and maximize recruitment and retention outcomes.

  • Simplified administration: We create custom content and tailored workflows to support client deliverables and to put 401k plans into digestible formats

Case Study

Solving the Retirement Riddle in Digital Health

A high-growing healthcare company with a breakthrough approach to at-home testing and virtual care came to Newfront Retirement Services for guidance on their 401(k) Plan.

By the numbers

From our depth of domain expertise to our uncompromising client service, Newfront Retirement Services delivers the plans and support our clients need.

$17B

in assets under advisement

375+

clients served

60+

public companies under management

28

person dedicated service team

Leadership

Newfront leadership

Greg Kaplan, CFA

Head of Retirement Services

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Ted Wilson, CFA

Investment Committee Lead

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Joni Jennings

Chief Compliance Officer

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Chris Call, CFP

Head of Thought Leadership

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Cynthia Eickhoff

Vice President, Operations

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Sarah Schwartz

Head of Financial Wellness

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Jenn Sommerville

Manager, Client Success

Key services

  • Plan design and benchmarking

  • Investment expertise

  • Compliance support

  • Fiduciary and governance

  • Employee engagement and education

  • Vendor negotiations

  • M&A support

  • Vendor transition support