Almost two-thirds of advisors see the small- and micro-plan 401(k) market as a source of opportunity, Guardian Retirement Solutions announced on Monday. The firm held a series of educational events across the country earlier this year, surveying attendees at each event to get their views on their opportunity for growth.
Guardian noted that according to the Employee Benefits Security Administration, 90% of all 401(k) plans have less than $10 million in assets and 80% have less than $2.5 million. More than 50 million Americans participate in 401(k) plans that have total assets of about $3 trillion.
The biggest challenge attendees at Guardian's 401(k) G2 Summits reported was not compliance but time management. In fact, less than a quarter of respondents cited government regulations as a challenge, after resource management (39%) and fiduciary responsibilities (27%).
Part of the reason advisors weren't as worried about government regulations is that in the small- and micro-plan markets, advisors aren't as willing to take on fiduciary duties.
