Strengthening Plan Outcomes

New Ditch the Suits Episodes - Budgeting, Debt, Retirement Accounts & Compound interest: A Simple Guide to Building Wealth

Strengthening Retirement Readiness: How We’ve Helped Clients Transform Their 401(k) Plan - Brad Eaton, Sr. VP Investment Services

Why Focus Matters - Christina Powell, Digital Marketer

Feeling overwhelmed by budgeting, saving, or investing and tired of hearing advice that doesn’t fit real life? In this episode of Ditch the Suits, Travis Maus answers some of the most common money questions people actually search for, from how to build a realistic budget and emergency fund, to deciding whether you should invest, pay off debt, or ignore the crypto hype altogether. You’ll learn how compound interest really works, how to think about retirement accounts without the jargon, and why financial progress isn’t about perfection, it’s about making smart decisions at every stage of life. No scare tactics, no sales pitches, just practical guidance for everyday people who want to get more out of their money and life. 

Brad Eaton, Senior Vice President, Investment Services

In today’s evolving retirement landscape, a well-designed and well-managed 401(k) plan is essential—not only for attracting and retaining top talent, but also for supporting employees’ long-term financial well-being. It’s not uncommon for us to see plans with strong potential, but that lack the structure, oversight, and participant support needed for long-term success. 

During our initial reviews, we often find the most common areas of concern to be: 

1. Out-of-Date Investment Policies - Without a current IPS, plans lack clear guidelines for how investments should be selected, monitored, and replaced. 

2. No Process for Reviewing Fund Options - Without a consistent review process, a plan’s investment menu cannot be evaluated appropriately. This exposes the plan’s sponsor to fiduciary risk and makes it difficult to ensure that participants have access to competitive, well-performing funds. 

3. Limited Participant Education - Employees need appropriate education and support in order to make informed retirement decisions. Without clear guidance, participation and savings behaviors suffered. 

These issues, if not addressed, create unnecessary risks for the organization and hinder the employees’ ability to achieve their retirement goals. 

Once we’ve identified the major areas of concern, we can move forward by building a solid plan infrastructure focusing on the following: 

1. Developing a New, Comprehensive Investment Policy 

We worked closely with the plan sponsor to create a modernized Investment Policy Statement that serves as the foundation for disciplined, transparent decision-making. At a minimum, this document should include: 

• The plan’s investment philosophy 

• Permitted and prohibited investment types 

• Criteria for selecting and monitoring investment options 

• Benchmarks and performance expectations 

2. Establishing a Process for Choosing, Monitoring, and Replacing Fund Options 

Next, we built a structured review process, which includes: 

• Regular investment committee meetings 

• Objective scorecard evaluations 

• Dedicated watchlist procedures 

• A documented replacement process when funds underperform 

This consistent approach not only improves plan quality but also strengthens the sponsor’s fiduciary oversight. 

3. Implementing an Ongoing Participant Education Strategy 

To improve participant outcomes, we design a long-term education plan tailored to the clients’ workforce: 

• Group and one-on-one educational sessions 

• Targeted communications to boost participation and savings rates 

• Guidance on asset allocation and retirement readiness 

• Resources to help participants take meaningful action 

Participants now receive the support needed to confidently manage their retirement planning. 

The Result is a stronger, More Engaged 401(k) Plan. By addressing structural weaknesses and enhancing both governance and education, our client now benefits from: 

• A clearly defined investment policy 

• Improved fiduciary oversight 

• A healthier, more competitive investment lineup 

• More informed and engaged employees 

Through the this process, we have helped transform our clients’ retirement plans from reactive to strategic—setting both the organizations and their employees on a path toward stronger retirement outcomes.

Christina Powell, Digital Marketer

In a world that constantly pulls our attention in many directions, focus has become increasingly valuable. 

Most of us are balancing full lives: careers, families, transitions, and decisions that do not come with a clear instruction manual. When everything feels important, clarity can fade. And without clarity, confidence often does too. 

That is why focus matters. 

Focus is not about doing less. It is about being intentional, choosing clarity over complexity, depth over distraction, and alignment over noise. When focus is present, decisions feel steadier and progress feels more grounded. 

At SEED Planning Group, this mindset guides how we listen, plan, and support our clients. Focus allows us to center conversations on what truly matters, not just in the moment, but over time. 

Growth, when done with intention, does not dilute purpose. It strengthens it. And while change is a natural part of any long-term journey, our commitment remains the same: to provide clear guidance and steady support so you can move forward with confidence. 

Sometimes the most meaningful progress comes not from adding more, but from choosing what matters most. 

If questions arise, or you would simply like to talk things through, we are always here.