Our Purpose

We partner with our Plan Sponsor clients to ensure that their retirement Plan is meeting their goals for attraction and retention of their desired workforce, that Plan participants are on track to achieve their saving and investing goals, and that fiduciary obligations are being met and documented.

Unbiased Consulting. Customized Solutions.

For over 25 years, SFSI has always delivered independent, fee-based, unbiased advice. As experienced ERISA consultants, we maintain a neutral and autonomous position in the industry with regards to vendors, investments, research and how we are compensated. Our decision to remain a distinct entity instead of merging with a larger national firm allows us to deliver individualized and custom reports specific to our Plan Sponsor clients.

We do not offer a cookie cutter output of reports, fund line ups or utilize single source research tools which results in impersonal and robotic advice. We do not outsource this function to any centralized office. Everything is done in-house by us. Uniqueness is what sets us apart, and what we appreciate in all our clients. We believe in the human touch and have assembled a highly experienced consultative team with extensive industry experience to support our proactive and highly detailed service model.

The 401(k) Consulting Framework: Understanding Before Advising

Your 401(k) plan is more than just an investment menu. It’s a benefit program, a fiduciary responsibility, and one of the most important financial tools your employees will ever use. Our 401(k) Specialists, Kristine Meyer and Rachel Engel explain how to evaluate and strengthen your plan. To learn more, reach out to Rachel Engel at rachel@stilesfinancial.com  Click the button to watch the full video.

Structured Oversight. Disciplined Execution.

We provide end-to-end support across every aspect of Plan governance, from investment committee development to ongoing fiduciary oversight. Our process incorporates Department of Labor guidelines and industry-leading methodologies to ensure disciplined monitoring, thorough benchmarking, and consistent alignment with best practices.

  • Implementation and monitoring of best practices using Department of Labor guidelines and Center for Fiduciary Studies methodology
  • 404(c) regulations
  • Development, oversight, and reporting on managed portfolio strategies
  • Full fee disclosure, levelization and benchmarking
  • Additional Plan benchmarking available
  • Plan conversion management and employee communication
  • Plan operations
  • QDIA suitability
  • Self-assessment of fiduciary excellence
  • Quarterly fiduciary investment review of Plan investments
  • Manage RFI and RFP projects

How We Deliver

Independent

Our experience has positioned us to work with any and all vendors, custodians, and trust platforms.

Consultative Approach

High attention to detail accomplished through our team approach.

Commitment to quality and client satisfaction

Custom and personalized, proactive service model designed to meet a variety of unique client needs.

Advocates and promoters of the retirement industry

  • Participate and speak at industry conferences
  • Current on legislative issues and policy platforms
  • Promote financial literacy among Plan participants and in the community
  • Host educational seminars throughout the year

Meet your 401(k) Plan Consulting Team

More Than Consultants, We Are True Plan Advocates

As independent fiduciaries, we prioritize participant outcomes, operate with flexibility, and hold ourselves to the highest standards. We advocate for your Plan through collaboration, transparency, and disciplined oversight.

  • Best in class independent retirement consultants
  • We operate as either 3(21) or 3(38) fiduciaries
  • Committed to participant retirement outcomes
  • Flexible and nimble in our service model
  • Held to a high standard of excellence by ourselves and to our clients that we serve
  • Advocate for the Plan and the participants by working with the vendor and service providers to disclose, deliver, and engage in a collaborative bilateral process
  • Followers of fiduciary best practices which includes, documentation, oversight, transparency, accuracy, and communication

  • Operate in the best interest of Plan participants
  • Ensure that your Plan is being administered in accordance with its provision
  • Ensure that you are monitoring your service providers
  • Ensure that compliance activities are taking place, such as testing, filing of Form 5500, required notices are prepared and delivered, etc.
  • Understand and monitor all Plan fees for reasonableness
  • If participants can direct their own investments, provide an array of choices and ongoing access to information
  • Monitor the investment lineup in accordance with your Investment Policy Statement
  • Determine a QDIA that is appropriate for your workforce
  • Document all decisions made

  • Operate in the best interest of Plan participants
  • Ensure that your Plan is being administered in accordance with its provision
  • Ensure that you are monitoring your service providers
  • Ensure that compliance activities are taking place, such as testing, filing of Form 5500, required notices are prepared and delivered, etc.
  • Understand and monitor all Plan fees for reasonableness
  • Promote fee levelization
  • We will negotiate with the vendor on fees and services
  • Provide investment committee governance orientation and education
  • If participants can direct their own investments, provide an array of choices and ongoing access to information
  • Monitor the investment lineup in accordance with your Investment Policy Statement
  • Determine a QDIA that is appropriate for your workforce
  • Document all decisions made by producing formal meeting minutes

Our Services

We deliver integrated and personalized private wealth planning and custom portfolio management services.

  • Institutional Portfolio Services

  • Private Wealth Management