MEP and PEP Resources

Get There with Pooled Plan Solutions

Pooled employer plans (PEPs) and multiple employer plans (MEPs) can be excellent retirement plan options for businesses looking to save time and energy spent running their plan. Use the resources below to learn how a pooled plan arrangement can benefit businesses of all sizes.

PEPCAST: All things MEP and PEP

PEPCAST is an audio series designed to get you plugged into everything you need to know about pooled retirement plan solutions. Hosted by Ascensus’ Aimee Furness, director of marketing strategy, and Dale Essenmacher, vice president and a pooled plan specialist with more than a decade of expertise in the MEP and PEP markets, PEPCAST dives deeper into timely topics for plan sponsors and their financial advisors.

An Introduction to Pooled Retirement Plan Solutions

Reviews the origins of MEPs and PEPs
Discusses why PEPs are becoming popular with employers
Explains what to look for in a pooled plan provider

Are PEP Plan Designs Restrictive for Adopting Employers?

Breaks down PEP misconceptions
Describes what to look for when joining a PEP
Shares feedback from employers who have joined PEPs through Ascensus or affiliates

Are PEPs too Cumbersome for Adopting Employers?

Breaks down the myth that PEPs are an administrative burden to participating employers
Describes how PEPs can simplify employers' plan duties

Do PEPs Have Hidden Costs That Make Them More Expensive?

Counters the misperception that PEPs cost more than standalone plans
Describes why fee due diligence is important
Covers benefits of participating in a much larger plan

How Mid-Market Plans Can Save Money and Time on Their 401(k) Plan Audits

Provides an overview of the plan audit processes
Compares the audit process for large plan filers vs. pooled plan employers
Describes the advantages of adopting a PEP for large plan filers

How MEPs and PEPs Can Be a Fit for Plans for All Sizes—Including Startups

Clarifies pooled plans’ eligibility for the SECURE 2.0 startup tax credit
Outlines the benefits of a fully bundled pooled solution
Discusses how pooled plans help smaller businesses achieve economies of scale

What It Means to Be an ERISA Plan Fiduciary

Provides an overview of a plan fiduciary’s roles and responsibilities
Describes how adopting a pooled plan impacts these fiduciary responsibilities

Unlocking the Benefits of PEPs for Private Equity

Summarizes the recent litigation in the retirement plan space
Describes the specific benefits of pooled plans for private equity firms
Provides examples of how PEPs have been successful in private equity scenarios

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Additional Resources

How PEPs are expanding retirement plan access

Use this whitepaper to learn more about pooled plan offerings—including how SECURE 2.0 paved the way for PEPs, the key benefits of this type of plan, and the advantages they present for employers of all sizes.

Leveraging MEPs and PEPs to Close the Gap in U.S. Retirement Savings

Learn more about the various differences between multiple employer plans and pooled employer plans, and understand how both types of plans help solve common challenges faced by business owners offering a retirement plan.

PEP Benefits for Small Businesses

Pooled retirement plans are designed to reduce employers' administrative and fiduciary responsibilities, helping plan sponsors save both time and money. Learn more about the advantages of PEPs for small businesses.

Is a Pooled Employer Plan the Right Fit for Small Business Owners?

A PEP comes with its own set of benefits and requirements, and there are several factors that may help business owners determine if it's the right type of plan for them. Use this blog to help understand the basic goals and benefits of a PEP.

The Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP allows employers to offload many complex aspects of running a retirement plan to the pooled plan provider. Learn more about the Ascensus Secure Retirement PEP offering and its key benefits for employers.

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Review Ascensus MEP & PEP

Newport Group, Inc. ("NGI"), an Ascensus company, is a registered Pooled Plan Provider offering professionally-managed Pooled Employer Plans ("PEPs"). More information regarding Newport's registration and available plans can be found at www.efast.dol.gov by clicking Form PR Registration Search, entering "Newport" in the Legal Business Name field, and then clicking "search" at the bottom of the page.

NGI and its affiliates provide recordkeeping, plan administration, trust and custody, consulting, insurance, and brokerage services. Investment Advisory and fiduciary consulting services are offered through Newport Group Consulting, LLC, ("NGC") a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of NGI. For more information about NGC and its services, please visit www.newportgroup.com or refer to NGC’s Form ADV Part 2, which is available by contacting us at 407-333-2905, or by visiting our website.

Ascensus, LLC provides administrative and recordkeeping services. It is not a broker-dealer or an investment advisor. Neither Ascensus, LLC nor NGI provide tax, legal, or accounting services.