Pension Plan Specialists, PC

The EXPERTISE you need. The ATTENTION you deserve. The CREATIVITY you want.

Financial planner in Vancouver, WA (show on map)

5.0

★★★★★

1 reviews

Full-service Third Party Administration (TPA) firm specializing in retirement plan administration, 3(16) fiduciary services, and plan design consulting for defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

Call (360) 694-8409

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About

Pension Plan Specialists, PC is a full-service Third Party Administration (TPA) firm based in Vancouver, Washington, serving clients nationwide. The firm was formed in 2008 when its current owner and President Joseph Burt purchased a local Public Accounting firm that had been established in 1987 and had transitioned into 401(k) audits and retirement plan administration.

With over 35 years of combined experience, PPS administers nearly 3,000 retirement plans and offers a full suite of services including retirement plan administration, 3(16) fiduciary services, plan design and consulting, and annual compliance testing. The firm's team is structured around Relationship Managers, Plan Consultants, Technical Reviewers, and Final Reviewers to ensure accuracy and compliance. PPS also offers customized consulting services and works with financial advisors and investment platforms of the client's choice.

Full-service TPA with over 35 years of experience (predecessor since 1987)

3(16) Fiduciary Services that assume fiduciary responsibility and insulate plan sponsors

Structured team of Relationship Managers, Plan Consultants, Technical Reviewers, and Final Reviewers for accuracy

Proactive compliance monitoring rather than reactionary approach

Works with client's chosen financial advisor and investment platform (not tied to a single provider)

Customized plan design with a unique plan design comparison tool

Own customized volume submitter document with IRS approval

95% of DOL plan defects are administration-related — PPS addresses this risk directly

Services

Retirement Plan Administration

Full-service Third Party Administration (TPA) for all types of defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans, including annual compliance testing, plan reporting, Form 5500 preparation, and participant benefit statements.

401(k) administration (including solo plans, Safe Harbor Match, Profit Sharing) Defined Benefit Plans (Cash Balance, etc.) 403(b) Plans Multiple Employer Plans ESOP administration Annual compliance testing Form 5500 preparation Participant benefit statements with reconciled balances Summary Annual Report creation

3(16) Fiduciary Services

ERISA 3(16) Delegated Plan Administration services that assume fiduciary responsibility for accurate and timely completion of plan administration duties, insulating and protecting the plan sponsor.

Serve as administrative fiduciary and chair administrative committee Fiduciary reviews and internal control assistance Timely remittance of salary deferrals and loan payments Development and distribution of required employee notices Nondiscrimination testing and corrections Management of distributions, loans, and QDROs Sign government forms Provide participant statements and annual notices Maintain full copy of plan documentation

Retirement Plan Design and Consulting

Expert consulting services to help clients select and design the right retirement plan for their business, including plan document creation, amendments, and regulatory guidance.

Customized plan design for individual companies Plan design comparison tool for clear recommendations Regulatory change monitoring and proactive guidance Mandatory and discretionary plan amendments Creative solutions for plan challenges Customized consulting for any part of the process

Credentials & Certifications

ERPA (Employee Retirement Plan Administrator)

APA (Authorized Plan Examiner)

QPA (Qualified Plan Administrator)

QKA (Qualified 401(k) Administrator)

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) - Oregon

Reviews

Rating

★★★★★

Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Third Party Administrator (TPA) and why do I need one? +

A TPA acts as an independent set of eyes protecting your best interest and ensuring compliance for your retirement plan. PPS serves as an independent administrator working for you and your participants, not the investment company.

What types of retirement plans does PPS administer? +

PPS administers 401(k) (including solo plans, Safe Harbor Match, Profit Sharing), Defined Benefit Plans (Cash Balance), 403(b) Plans, Multiple Employer Plans, ESOP, Age-Weighted, Cross-Tested, Money-Purchase, and other variations.

What is 3(16) Fiduciary Services and why is it important? +

3(16) Fiduciary Services allow PPS to assume fiduciary responsibility for plan administration duties, insulating and protecting the plan sponsor. 95% of plan defects penalized by the DOL are related to plan administration under Section 3(16), making this coverage increasingly important.

What does PPS do as a 3(16) Delegated Plan Administrator? +

PPS serves as administrative fiduciary, chairs the administrative committee, receives and reviews 408(b) disclosures, remits salary deferrals and loan payments, manages distributions/loans/QDROs, signs government forms, provides participant statements and annual notices, and maintains full plan documentation.

How does PPS's full-service model differ from bundled solutions? +

Bundled products are advertised as less complicated but are less flexible and often less accurate with confusing fees. PPS provides additional oversight, regular compliance review, and the assurance that participants receive accurate accounting of their funds.

Does PPS work with my existing financial advisor and investment platform? +

Yes, PPS will work with your financial advisor in conjunction with any investment platform you choose.

How many retirement plans does PPS administer? +

PPS consults on and services more than 3,000 retirement plans nationwide.

What annual tasks are required for retirement plan administration? +

Annual tasks include gathering and analyzing census and trust data, determining plan entry/vesting/distributions, annual plan valuations, all annual compliance testing, plan reporting for employer and employee, IRS Form 5500 preparation, participant benefit statements, Summary Annual Report creation, and audit package preparation for large plans.