TRA MAKES NEWS HAPPEN

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  CASE OF THE WEEK – QACA Match

  October 16, 2026 - A SIMPLE IRA’s 3% match alone does not meet QACA matching requirements. Explore how an enhanced formula can preserve that familiar match structure while providing a maximum employer match of 3.5%. Continue
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  Best 401(k) Plan Administration Providers for Complex Employers

  October 13, 2026 - As businesses grow, retirement plan administration becomes more complicated. Multi-location operations, multiple payroll systems, workforce diversity, and evolving compliance requirements can create challenges that basic providers may not be equipped to handle. Learn how to evaluate 401(k) plan administration providers and why specialized expertise can help plan sponsors and advisors manage compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and support long-term retirement plan success. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – Trump Accounts and FAFSA

  October 9, 2026 - Will a Trump Account affect a child’s future financial aid eligibility? Current FAFSA rules may support excluding these accounts from reportable investments, but specific guidance is still needed. Continue
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  Understanding 401(k) Provider Roles for Plan Sponsors

  October 6, 2026 - Managing a 401(k) plan involves multiple service providers, each with distinct responsibilities. Learn how recordkeepers, plan advisors, and third-party administrators (TPAs) work together to support compliance, investment oversight, plan administration, and fiduciary governance, helping plan sponsors make more informed decisions. Continue
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  Recordkeeper vs Advisor vs TPA for 401(k) Plans

  October 2, 2026 - Choosing the right support team for your 401(k) plan requires understanding the distinct roles of the recordkeeper, plan advisor, and third-party administrator (TPA). While recordkeepers manage participant accounts and transactions, advisors oversee investments and fiduciary guidance, and TPAs handle plan design, compliance testing, Form 5500 preparation, and regulatory administration. This guide explains each role, compares responsibilities, and outlines how the right combination of service partners can help improve compliance, reduce administrative burden, and support better outcomes for plan sponsors and participants. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – What Fee Changes Require Notice

  October 2, 2026 - A reduction in an investment’s expense ratio generally does not trigger a special advance notice or a new comparative chart. Learn how to keep investment fee information current. Continue
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  The Complete Guide to Small Business Retirement Plans

  September 30, 2026 - Choosing the right retirement plan can have a significant impact on your business, employees, and future financial security. This comprehensive guide compares the most common small business retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, SIMPLE IRAs, SEP IRAs, and profit sharing plans. Explore the differences in contributions, administration, flexibility, costs, and employer responsibilities to determine which retirement plan best aligns with your business goals and workforce needs. Continue
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  PRESS RELEASE – TRA Adds Industry Veteran Mykal Davis as Regional Plan Consultant

  September 29, 2026 - The Retirement Advantage welcomes Mykal Davis as a Regional Plan Consultant serving Southern California and Hawaii. He brings more than 20 years of financial services experience and will focus on strengthening advisor partnerships and helping financial professionals identify retirement plan solutions for their clients. Continue
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  CASE OF THE WEEK – Successor Plan Rule

  September 25, 2026 - The successor, or alternative, plan rules can prevent a plan sponsor from relying on plan termination to distribute restricted amounts, including elective deferrals, QNECs, QMACs and related earnings in a 401(k) plan, and elective deferral and custodial account amounts in a 403(b) plan, if the employer maintains or establishes an alternative plan or contract. This article explains which plans qualify as a successor plan, the exceptions that apply, and why sponsors should evaluate this rule before executing a plan termination. Continue
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  What Is the Best Small Business Retirement Plan Type

  September 24, 2026 - Choosing the right retirement plan is one of the biggest decisions a small business owner will make. This guide breaks down how 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, and profit sharing plans differ in contribution limits, administrative burden, and fiduciary responsibility, so plan sponsors can select the structure that best fits their workforce and goals. Continue