Vestwell, a small business retirement provider, and Carson Group announced a partnership Tuesday that will help advisors to grow their retirement businesses.
Vestwell will provide a small-and-midsize business component to Carson Group’s Complete 401(k) offering that will allow advisors to better scale their retirement plan practices for businesses in that size range.
The Carson Complete 401(k) offering includes back-office and data integrations and a home office 3(38) solution. The program already incorporates a number of Vestwell’s features, such as payroll integrations, 3(16) services and streamlined onboarding and enrollment.
“We are thrilled to launch Carson Complete 401(k) and partner with a leader in the advisor-sold small plan market,” Jamie Hopkins, managing partner of wealth solutions for Carson Group, said in a statement. “We are committed to enhancing our industry-leading advisory offerings and provide advisors with the best solutions in the market to help ensure they’re set up for success.”
“Like our retirement specialists’ program, this partnership provides advisors with the tools they need to rapidly grow their retirement plan practices, while delivering a state-of-the-art experience to clients," Hopkins added. "Ultimately, it is about providing the best advice to plan sponsors and their participants.”
Vestwell CEO Aaron Schumm noted that the tax credit expansion included in the recently passed SECURE 2.0 Act makes this a good time for firms to take advantage of solutions like the Complete 401(k).
“We designed the Vestwell platform to solve the major pain points advisors face, from the inside out," Schumm said in the statement. "The Carson Complete program provides advisors with a true partner on the provider side, enabling them to grow their retirement plan practices in a scalable, efficient manner.”
A new proposal could end the ban on promoting client reviews in states like California and Connecticut, giving state-registered advisors a level playing field with their SEC-registered peers.
Morningstar research data show improved retirement trajectories for self-directors and allocators placed in managed accounts.
Some in the industry say that more UBS financial advisors this year will be heading for the exits.
The Wall Street giant has blasted data middlemen as digital freeloaders, but tech firms and consumer advocates are pushing back.
Research reveals a 4% year-on-year increase in expenses that one in five Americans, including one-quarter of Gen Xers, say they have not planned for.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.