401(k) & Retirement Solutions

Strengthening the Foundation of Your Financial Future

For many, an employer-sponsored retirement plan is the cornerstone of their long-term savings. However, managing these plans—whether you are a business owner or an employee—requires a high level of diligence and expertise. At Mercer Wealth Management, we provide the specialized guidance needed to optimize these accounts, ensuring they serve their true purpose: providing a dignified retirement.

Employer Retirement Plan Evaluation

Ensuring your plan works as hard as your employees do.

If you already offer a retirement plan, when was the last time it was truly audited? We provide objective, third-party evaluations to help business owners fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities and improve participant outcomes.

Fee Benchmarking: Are you and your employees paying more than necessary? We analyze record-keeping and investment fees to ensure they remain competitive.
Investment Lineup Review: We evaluate the quality and performance of the funds within your plan, ensuring they meet institutional standards.
Fiduciary Support: We help you navigate the complex regulatory landscape, providing the documentation and processes needed to manage your liability as a plan sponsor.

Facilitating New Retirement Plans for Business Owners

Customized solutions for the modern entrepreneur.

Choosing the right retirement plan is a critical business decision that can provide significant tax advantages for owners while helping attract and retain top talent. We help you design a plan that fits your company’s size, budget, and culture.

Plan Design: From traditional 401(k)s to SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and Defined Benefit Plans, we help you select the structure that maximizes your tax-deferred savings.
Owner-Centric Strategies: We focus on plan designs that allow business owners to maximize their own contributions while remaining compliant with IRS testing.
Employee Education: We believe a plan is only successful if it's utilized. We provide the education and enrollment support your team needs to participate with confidence.

Retirement Plan Consolidation & Rollovers

Bringing order to your "orphaned" accounts.

Many investors leave a trail of retirement accounts behind as they move through their careers. These "orphaned" 401(k)s are often unmonitored and uncoordinated. We help you take control of these assets.

Simplification: We assist in consolidating multiple accounts into a single, professionally managed IRA, making it easier to track performance and manage your asset allocation.
Personalized Management: Unlike a generic 401(k) menu, a rollover IRA allows for a fully customized investment strategy tailored to your specific goals.
Tax-Sensitive Transitions: We manage the rollover process directly with your previous custodians to ensure funds are moved safely and without triggering unnecessary taxes or penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Individuals & Employees

When you separate from an employer, you generally have four paths:
- Leave it where it is: Most plans allow you to stay if your balance is over a certain threshold (often $5,000).
- Roll it into a new employer’s plan: This is a good option if your new plan has high-quality, low-cost investment options.
- Roll it into an IRA: This typically offers the widest range of investment choices and professional oversight from your advisor.
- Cash it out: This is generally discouraged as it may trigger immediate income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59½.
Direct Rollover: The funds move directly from your old plan to your new account. This is the preferred method because it avoids mandatory tax withholding.
Indirect Rollover: You receive a check personally. You have exactly 60 days to deposit the full amount into a new retirement account to avoid taxes and penalties. Note that the IRS requires your employer to withhold 20% for federal taxes upfront on indirect rollovers, meaning you must use outside funds to "make up" that 20% when depositing the full balance into your new account.
Consolidating "orphaned" accounts into one central IRA can simplify your financial life by providing a holistic view of your portfolio. It also makes it easier to track performance, manage your overall asset allocation, and simplify your estate planning for beneficiaries.

For Business Owners

As a business owner, you are legally held to a high standard of care. Your core duties include:
- Acting solely in the interest of plan participants and their beneficiaries.
- Carrying out duties prudently, following a documented and thoughtful decision-making process.
- Paying only reasonable expenses for plan administration and investments.
- Diversifying plan investments to minimize the risk of large losses.
One common strategy is to design the plan under ERISA Section 404(c), which allows participants to exercise control over their own investments. Additionally, many business owners hire an independent advisor like Mercer Wealth Management to share or take on specific fiduciary duties, which can help insulate the company from certain legal risks./p>

Is your retirement plan on the right track?

Whether you are a business owner looking to enhance your benefits or an individual seeking to simplify your old accounts, we are here to help.

Contact Us