PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 37

PLANSPONSOR
RETIREMENT
PLAN ADVISER LARGE TEAM
OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Ascende Wealth Advisers, Inc.
IF a plan sponsor wants to prepare
its workers for retirement, it
has to start with the basics
of budgeting and managing
debt. That is how Ascende
Wealth Advisers, Inc. (AWAI) in
Houston-now, through a strategic
partnership, known in that
city as Qualified Plan Advisors-
approaches retirement readiness
with its clients. To that end, the firm has helped employers
with many campaigns that encourage participation in retirement
programs.
AWAI begins by understanding each client's goals when it
BUSINESS AT A GLANCE
PLAN ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT:
$4.6 billion
MEDIAN PLAN SIZE, IN ASSETS:
$57 million
PLANS UNDER ADMINISTRATION: 70
PARTICIPANTS: 120,000
You know the benefits you receive
through the PLANSPONSOR
and PLANADVISER brands.
Show your clients you're
on their side by obtaining
the PLANSPONSOR Retirement
Professional designation.
comes to employee retirement readiness. If the goal is diversification,
for instance, the firm might recommend an investment
refresh program to make sure employees are properly
allocated for their age and risk tolerance. For prospects not
necessarily concerned about a retirement plan, AWAI highlights
the benefits of offering one and the financial impact
that a lack of retirement readiness can have on a company,
such as health care costs for older workers.
Currently, AWAI is working with some of its clients to
evaluate the corporate financial risks of having workers who
are unprepared for retirement and to outline steps to prevent
the problem of future health and welfare expenses that can
result from an aging work force.
When it comes to preparing participants, AWAI believes
in-person education can make all the difference. " In an
industry where it seems the answer to every question is [delivered]
more [through] technology and less [through] human
interaction, we strive to be partners for these employees and
meet with them face to face, " says Robert Massa, managing
director, Houston operations, Qualified Plan Advisors.
This year, the firm is ramping up its one-on-one employee
meetings and will use data from its health and retirement
assessments and other retirement readiness tools for
targeted education campaigns and meetings. -CH
NEW THIS YEAR,
advisers can earn their PRP at
the PLANADVISER National
Conference in Orlando,
Florida, September 24-26!
For more information, please email
PRP@strategic-i.com.

PLANADVISER - March/April 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PLANADVISER - March/April 2018

2018 PLANSPONSOR Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year
Battling the Elements
Taking on Discretion
A QDIA In Transition
Working Down-Market
Retirement Income Options
2018 SEC Examination Priorities
Enforcement of the DOL Rule
Duty to Investigate
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - C1
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - FC1
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - FC2
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - C2
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 1
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PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 2018 PLANSPONSOR Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year
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PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 37
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 38
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 39
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Battling the Elements
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 41
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 42
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 43
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Taking on Discretion
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 45
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 46
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 47
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - A QDIA In Transition
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 49
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Working Down-Market
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 51
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Retirement Income Options
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 53
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - 2018 SEC Examination Priorities
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Enforcement of the DOL Rule
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - Duty to Investigate
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - C3
PLANADVISER - March/April 2018 - C4
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