GGA Retirement

The continuing labor shortage has created competition for employers to attract talent. The number one benefit that employees are drawn to are retirement plans. According to a Fidelity study, 44% of all employers want to partner with a firm who will give direct investment advice to their employees. Do you want to attract and maintain employees?

Granite is an Investment Fiduciary that goes way beyond putting up a list of funds to buy. Employee education goes a long way, that is, true education – not simply tools or fact sheets. When an employee knows they have access to the fiduciaries directly, they are more confident in their financial future and perform better as a result. We also specialize in employee investment education.

Below is what was sent out to all employers and their employees this past Tuesday.

The news over the weekend with the US increasing tariffs on European nations over the acquisition of Greenland, is causing a negative reaction around the world in stock and bond markets. At Granite, we are guided to look at the fundamentals of markets. Historically, politics will affect markets to the positive and negative in the short-term. Today is to the negative. We mentioned in the quarterly commentary: “Equities, if earnings rate continues, can certainly have a nice year but it will be more volatile than usual due to the high valuation starting point for all stocks”

The markets are trading at a premium to their forward historical valuations. While we would not sell, any further deterioration in stock prices, to a more normal valuation, would be a good time to buy.

Please call or email to demo an investment education engagement tool that you have not seen before.

Employees want support—and it matters more than ever.

87% of employees are more likely to stay with an employer that offers investment help resources. Yet many smaller record-keepers don’t provide customized messaging for employees.

GGA Retirement brings large-plan benefits to smaller plans, helping employees get the guidance they deserve.

👉 Give your team the support they need, call 203-210-7814 or schedule a meeting https://hubs.la/Q03WsCKW0

GGA Retirement | Request Contact Speak with an expert. Go here to schedule a call back or book an appointment. Save Time | Improve Employee Outcomes | Conflict-Free | 401(k) Fiduciary | 401(k) PEP

Can one-on-one communication drive higher employee satisfaction?

It raises an important consideration for employers and plan fiduciaries.

Does routing your employees to an 800-number or an overseas call center truly count as guidance (or is it just a security risk)?

Many providers present call-center access as “help”, but the difference between general information and meaningful direction is not always clear. Call-center representatives are typically limited to standardized explanations. They can point to a target-date fund based on age, but they cannot discuss broader situations.

If the goal is to improve employee outcomes, communication needs to be interactive. Real engagement happens when employees can ask questions and receive clarity that reflects where they are. Call-scripts, age-based fund suggestions, and automated allocations are not sufficient.

As organizations continue to optimize benefits programs, how guidance is delivered matters more than the platform.

Senior leaders need to evaluate how guidance is delivered to their workforce. If you want a partner that prioritizes communication and employee clarity, email [email protected].

Wells Fargo’s $84M ERISA settlement over its 401(k)-plan stock is a fresh reminder: fiduciary governance isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about protecting trust.

The class action alleged the use of employees’ stock dividends to meet its 401(k)-match obligations.

When employer stock or dividends enter a plan, the margin for error shrinks. Oversight, independence, and process aren’t optional, they’re essential.

Fiduciary duty isn’t a reaction. It’s a discipline, the safeguard for participants and reputations alike.

If your plan hasn’t had an independent (not on your vendor shortlist) review this year, now’s the time to take a fresh look.

Part 3: The New Balancing Act | Yield, Liquidity, Accountability.

Private equity is moving closer to 401(k) plans, even with 2025 Q1&2 fundraising at its weakest since the pandemic, PEI reports.

Yet Minnesota’s State Board of Investment just gave its CIO $750 million in private-market discretion, some see slowdown, others see setup. (Private Equity International).

Meanwhile, IBM faces a $1.9 billion lawsuit over underperforming target-date funds, showing how even liquid, daily-priced assets can expose fiduciaries. (PLANSPONSOR).

If daily-priced funds create legal risk, what happens when illiquid private equity enters target-date funds?

Private equity promises growth, but inside retirement plans, it also imports opacity.