Factors that demonstrate our difference

Our current and past involvement with a diverse range of plan sponsors gives us valuable insight and experience, which we share with our clients. We have been helping organizations with retirement plans for more than a quarter century and consult on retirement programs with combined assets in excess of $2 billion as of 2020.

The clients we serve include corporations – 401(k), 403(b), 457, nonqualified plans, defined benefit plans, nonprofits, educational facilities – private and public retirement plans, Taft-Hartley plans, municipalities, foundations and endowments.

Managing Director Gary Handler is a member of the Raymond James Retirement Plan & Institutional Advisory Council, which provides specialized experience and support for retirement plan sponsors, foundations, endowments and nonprofit institutions.

Raymond James' Retirement Plan & Institutional Advisory Council membership is based on assets under management, number of qualified group retirement plans, designations obtained, and compliance record. Membership is not an endorsement, is not representative of any one client's experience and is not indicative of future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this membership. Requalification is not required.

We are a tenured group of advisors with more than 200 years of combined experience. Additionally, members of the team have earned credentials such as Qualified Plan Financial Consultant, Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist^®, Certified 401(k) Professional^®, Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®, Certified Business Financial Advisor, Wealth Management Specialist and the ESG Investing for 301(l) Plan Advisors Certificate.

It gives us an added level of experience and capabilities in evaluating and making strategic recommendations to our clients. Additionally, Managing Director Gary Handler is one of only 75 advisors nationwide certified to perform behavioral finance plan audits for clients.

Our high degree of institutional acumen means that we inherently understand what the standards and expectations should be from pricing, vendors, advisors and other essential elements in the benefits plans arena.

We do not treat organizations as if their needs are all alike. This is definitely not the time or place for cookie-cutter solutions. We customize the guidance and strategies we offer to each client we serve. We purposely offer our services on an a la carte and per diem basis, whether it’s quarterly investment reviews or the education of plan participants – whatever your organization needs to accomplish its specific objectives.

Managing Director Gary Handler can provide investment advisory services as an ERISA fiduciary in a 3(21) capacity, as set forth in, and subject to applicable agreements.

Raymond James will serve as an ERISA 3(38) Investment Manager for the plan and will accept full responsibility with respect to investment menu selection, ongoing monitoring, and investment option replacement, as set forth in, and subject to, applicable agreements.

This removes the task of investment selection from the HR executive or person in charge of benefits, as well as the vendor, and introduces a third party that acts as co-fiduciary.

Each retirement plan investment menu is developed in consideration of well-established fiduciary standards, and is backed by our philosophy of prudent, conservative management. A team of investment professionals at Raymond James Institutional Fiduciary Solutions provides all aspects of investment consulting – from strategy development and investment research to reporting, periodic reviews and supervision.

There are behemoth players in the retirement plan category where your needs and requests are often delegated to some unfamiliar staffer in a satellite office. We take the converse approach. While we possess the depth and breadth of experience you seek, we are more personal and boutique-sized by design.

When you work with us, the senior-level people you have met initially are the same individuals who will help you manage your plan on a daily basis. The rapport and relationship we have with you means we will always be there when you have a need, and we can even proactively respond to what these needs may be.

We provide a full suite of vital services that includes reviewing plans, assisting in the creation of an investment policy statement, reviewing investment options, evaluating third-party vendors, generating quarterly analytic reports that measure performance versus benchmarks, providing ERISA 3(21) fiduciary services* (and may provide ERISA 3(38) fiduciary services in some cases), and helping with educational endeavors. We also make financial plans available to plan participants at no additional cost.

*As set forth in, and subject to, applicable agreements.

We understand the importance of our clients meeting their investment stewardship obligations. We take an objective approach and tailor our guidance and services to each plan sponsor’s situation. Our proactive advice includes the creation and implementation of a well-defined process for making informed investment decisions based on prudent investment practices.

Many of our institutional clients come to ask us to manage their personal wealth as well. It’s why we offer both institutional and individual wealth consulting. In addition to our team’s comprehensive institutional services and planning, we offer sophisticated wealth counsel to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families. It is true holistic planning focused on addressing the unique needs of our clients in all aspects of their lives.

Our focus is finding or designing the optimal strategy to meet our clients’ needs and pursue their objectives. We are under no obligation or pressure to sell proprietary investment products. Our sole guideline is doing what is in your best interest and right for you.

We are always dialed in to the financial issues at hand, proactive in our approach, and committed to building highly professional, yet deeply personal relationships with plan sponsors and participants. We even encourage your plan participants to call any time for advice and receive a personal financial plan at no cost.

In our view, dedicated client service is one of the important factors that set us apart in the retirement plan industry. To us, it’s simply what it takes to do the job right and meet our responsibilities for serving as vigilant stewards of your organization’s assets.

Our team members collaborate and contribute their own set of skills and experiences and works together to ensure that even the most intricate financially related needs of our clients are thoroughly addressed.

Our dedication to serving as a trusted partner and timely financial resource is what we believe leads to the development of continued trust between the advisor and client, as evidenced by the longevity of our client relationships.