TRA MAKES NEWS HAPPEN

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  TRA Joins Forces with Industry Leaders in Asteri Collective to Redefine Retirement Consulting

  August 21, 2025 - The Asteri Collective unites top retirement plan consultants, including TRA, to drive innovation, collaboration, and technology across the retirement industry. Continue
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  PRESS RELEASE – The Retirement Advantage Expands Western U.S. Presence with David Kay as New Regional Plan Consultant

  August 19, 2025 - TRA welcomes David Kay as the new Regional Plan Consultant for the Western U.S. With nearly 20 years of experience in retirement plan sales and consulting, Kay will support territories including Alaska, Northern California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. He brings expertise in advisor partnerships, plan design, and conversion sales. Kay holds QKA, CRPS, and AIF designations and FINRA Series 6, 7, and 63 licenses. He will report to Darin Erdmann, TRA’s Director of Sales & Distribution. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – Trump Accounts

  August 15, 2025 - Trump Accounts are new quasi-IRAs for children, encouraging early saving and investing. Available to U.S. citizen children under 17, those born between 2025-2028 receive a $1,000 government contribution. Annual contributions are capped at $5,000, with a $2,500 limit for employer contributions. Investments must be low-cost mutual funds or ETFs. Distributions, taxable to the child, can start at age 18, with penalties for non-qualified withdrawals. Suitable for contributions from parents, relatives, employers, and charitable organizations. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – 457(b) and 457(f) Plan for tax-exempt employers

  August 8, 2025 - Written By Jenny Kiffmeyer, J.D – The Retirement Learning Center I have a client that is a tax-exempt organization and is considering establishing a deferred compensation plan for executives and key employees. What are the differences between 457(b) and 457(f) plans for tax-exempt employers? Highlights of the discussion While both state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations may sponsor 457 plans, this discussion is limited... Continue
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  Plan Sponsors Ask…

  August 5, 2025 - The Plan Sponsor Council of America reports declining interest in the SECURE 2.0 Act's student loan employee match provision. In 2025, only 2.6% of plan sponsors plan to implement it, down from 4.7% in 2024, while 75% have decided not to add the provision. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – Merging 403(b) and 401(k)

  August 1, 2025 - Explore the discussion on merging a 403(b) plan with a 401(k) plan. Learn about IRS regulations, potential steps like plan termination, and rollover options to combine assets while maintaining compliance. Continue
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  Best Practices for Plan Benchmarking

  July 29, 2025 - Ensure a competitive and compliant retirement plan by benchmarking fees, investment performance, participation rates, plan features, and service provider performance. Learn best practices from SoFi's "What Is 401(k) Plan Benchmarking?" (March 12, 2024) and 401k TV's "Annual Benchmarking Is a Must for Plan Sponsors" (October 3, 2024). Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – Social Security Benefits

  July 25, 2025 - Discover how the Totalization Agreement between the U.S. and Canada coordinates Social Security coverage and benefits for individuals who have worked in both countries. Learn how work credits from Canada can help qualify for U.S. Social Security retirement benefits, though only U.S. employment affects the benefit amount. Continue
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  PRESS RELEASE – TRA Enhances Regional Sales Team with Addition of Retirement Industry Expert Clinton C. Reese

  July 22, 2025 - The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA) welcomes Clinton C. Reese as the new Regional Plan Consultant for the Ohio Valley region. With over 25 years of experience in the retirement services industry, Reese will enhance TRA's capabilities in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, reporting to Darin Erdmann, Director of Sales and Distribution. Reese's extensive background includes roles at First Financial Bank, Latitude Retirement, Nationwide Financial, and Fidelity Investments. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Cincinnati and is active in local community organizations. Continue
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  Plan Sponsors Ask…

  July 22, 2025 - Question: Is there any industry information available on employee utilization of hardship withdrawal provisions? Answer: The International Foundation’s 2024 Employee  Benefits Survey found that utilization of hardship withdrawal provisions averaged 5.6% of participants for 401(k) plans, 4.9% for Roth 401(k) plans and 2.3% for 403(b) plans. In addition, a preview of Vanguard’s How America Saves 2025 report showed that 4.8% of participants used hardship withdrawals... Continue