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Jamie Hopkins, managing partner of Wealth Solutions at Carson Group

Retirement Planning > Saving for Retirement

Carson Group and Vestwell Launch Carson Complete 401(k)

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What You Need to Know

  • The new advisory program includes many of Vestwell’s capabilities, such as payroll integration and 3(16) plan administration.
  • For advisors, a core part of the solution is the home office 3(38) capability that simplifies investment management.
  • The solution underscores the increasing connections between wealth management and retirement plan advisory services.

On Tuesday, Vestwell and Carson Group announced they are joining forces to launch a retirement plan advisory solution called the Carson Complete 401(k).

In an announcement about the collaboration, Jamie Hopkins, managing partner of wealth solutions for Carson Group, says the partnership will enable Carson Group advisors to scale their small and mid-market 401(k) and 403(b) plan practices.

“We are thrilled to launch Carson Complete 401(k) and partner with a leader in the advisor-sold small plan market,” Hopkins says. “We are committed to enhancing our industry-leading advisory offerings and providing advisors with the best solutions in the market to help ensure they’re set up for success.”

Hopkins says the new 401(k) plan solution will complement the firm’s existing retirement specialists’ program, adding that the Vestwell partnership will provides advisors with the tools they need to rapidly grow their retirement plan practices. With the support of Vestwell’s participant platform, Hopkins says, advisors will be able to deliver a “state-of-the-art experience” to clients.

“Ultimately, it is about providing the best advice to plan sponsors and their participants,” Hopkins says.

The launch of the Carson Complete 401(k) comes at a time when sources say the traditional barriers that have existed between wealth management firms and employer-sponsored retirement plans are weakening. A big part of this dynamic is the fact that advisors foresee more qualified money staying “in-plan” as recordkeepers provide greater access to institutionally priced annuities, potentially affecting the pace of rollovers.

Sources say wealth managers must step up their income planning capabilities to meet emerging competitive pressures, and that making deeper connections to the employer plan marketplace may be an essential source of growth over the long term.

According to the firms’ announcement, Carson Complete 401(k) was created to address friction points for advisors, allowing them to provide their small-business clients with a sophisticated retirement plan experience often limited to larger employers.

From the advisor’s perspective, a core part of the solution is the extensive data integrations and a home office 3(38) solution that simplifies investment management. The program also includes many of Vestwell’s capabilities such as payroll integrations, 3(16) plan administration services and streamlined onboarding and enrollment.

Aaron Schumm, CEO and founder of Vestwell, says his firm is honored to be selected as the provider for the Carson Complete 401(k) offering.

“We designed the Vestwell platform to solve the major pain points advisors face,” Schumm says. “The Carson Complete program provides advisors with a true partner on the provider side, enabling them to grow their retirement plan practices in a scalable, efficient manner.”

Pictured: Carson Group managing partner Jamie Hopkins


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