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Pooled Employer Plan (PEP): How It Works, What Employers Still Own, and 2026 Rules
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 14, 2026 A pooled employer plan lets unrelated businesses share one 401(k) that a registered provider runs, […]
Federal Retirement Changes 2026: What Took Effect, What Was Dropped, and What Is Still Proposed
Federal retirement changes in 2026 were real but narrower than the headlines: the pension formula did not change, while COLAs, the TSP, and health premiums […]
ERISA 401(k) Rules: What the Law Requires of Your Plan and What It Does Not Cover
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 14, 2026 ERISA turns your 401(k) from an employer promise into a regulated trust with enforceable rights. […]
401k Third Party Administrator: What a TPA Does vs. a Recordkeeper (2026 Guide)
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 14, 2026 A 401k third party administrator keeps the plan compliant, while the recordkeeper keeps track of […]
SF 3107: How the FERS Application for Immediate Retirement Works in 2026
The SF 3107 application is the form that turns a FERS career into a monthly annuity, and many of its delays trace to a missing […]
401k Fees: What the Average Plan Costs, Where to Find Yours, and What They Compound To (2026)
401k fees rarely appear as a line on your statement, yet the average large plan cost 0.85% of assets in 2022, and that cost compounds […]
How Many Taxpayers Are in the US? 160.6 Million Returns, 111.6 Million Payers (IRS Data)
How many taxpayers are in the US depends on the definition: 160.6 million returns were filed, but only 111.6 million of them owed any income […]
Retirement Plans for Doctors: The 2026 Physician Account Stack by Employment Type
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 14, 2026 Retirement plans for doctors depend on employment type first, because who signs the paycheck decides […]
401k Partial Plan Termination: The 20% Rule, 100% Vesting, and What Laid-Off Workers Should Check
A 401k partial plan termination can turn forfeitable employer money into money a laid-off worker keeps in full. A 401(k) partial plan termination occurs when […]
CRPC Designation: What a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Credential Means (2026)
The CRPC designation is a retirement planning credential earned through one course and one exam, and it does not by itself make anyone a fiduciary. […]