Be More Than A Fiduciary

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson discusses the implications of the Cunningham v Cornell Supreme Court decision for health plans, emphasizing the need for 408(b)(2) disclosures under the Consolidated Appropriations Act. He explains that health plans subject to ERISA must now disclose fees and services provided by vendors, such as third-party admini...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about two recent ERISA cases: Cunningham v. Cornell University and Steen v. Sonoco. In Cunningham, the court ruled that prohibited transactions can move a case forward, emphasizing the importance of 408(b)(2) disclosures and a documented process. In Steen, the court dismissed the case for lack of factual alle...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the frequency of benchmarking retirement plans, focusing on fee benchmarks rather than employer contributions or eligibility periods. Using data from Callan's 2023 and 2025 defined contribution trend surveys, Eric notes that 80% of large plans reviewed fees in 2022 and 75% plan to do so in 2023. He high...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the Department of Labor's (DOL) Compliance Assistance Release 2025-01, effective May 28, 2025, which rescinds previous DOL and EBSA guidance on cryptocurrency in 401(k) plans.  The DOL clarifies that the "extreme care" standard mentioned in the 2022 release does not exist in ERISA; instead, it refe...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the true meaning of Memorial Day;  to honor those who died serving the country, rather than celebrating personal freedoms or retail sales. Eric encourages listeners to remember and never forget the sacrifices made by service members and their families, particularly the Gold Star families who have l...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the recent surge of forfeiture lawsuits and urges plan fiduciaries, advisors, and committee members to scrutinize their fiduciary processes rigorously. Referencing previous episodes on the topic, Dyson summarizes lawsuits filed by the Schlichter Bogard law firm, which allege that plan sponsors violated ...

For over 20 years, Shannon and her team at TriStar Pension Consulting have acted as a secret weapon for financial advisors, CPAs, small businesses, and plan sponsors. They are the go-to resource...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the Cunningham vs. Cornell Supreme Court decision and its implications for ERISA plans and the potential implications for Health Plans based on the Consolidated Appropriations Act (“CAA”). He emphasizes that the decision does not change how fiduciaries should operate but highlights guidance that is alre...

Gina Alsdorf has more than 15 years of experience in employee benefits, working on complex issues involving ERISA, employee benefit plans, and related laws.  Her past clients include trustees, plan committees, plan sponsors, consultants, registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, banks, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and recordkeepers for ...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson presents a follow-up to the previous Friday Fiduciary Five regarding the Supreme Court’s Decision on Cunningham v Cornell.  Eric talks about the concept of affirmative defense. He explains that affirmative defense allows for exceptions to prohibited transactions if certain conditions are met, particularly the ...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the anatomy of an ERISA class action lawsuit. He explains that attorneys often scrutinize IRS Form 5500s for high fees and underperforming investments. If issues are found, former employees may become named plaintiffs. After a complaint is filed, a motion to dismiss is typically the first defense. If th...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about lessons learned from the Supreme Court case Cunningham v Cornell, focusing on the distinction between prohibited transactions and exempt prohibited transactions under ERISA. He emphasizes the importance of proper disclosures, such as ERISA 408(b)(2) disclosures, to ensure arrangements are reasonable and...

Terry Crocker, CEO of Tropical Texas Behavioral Health, holds master’s degrees in psychology and business. Since 2003, Terry has led the agency’s growth into one of Texas’s largest community centers, now serving 34,000 people annually with a $123M budget and 1,400 staff. Honors include

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the potential risks of including cryptocurrencies in ERISA retirement plans. He emphasizes that sophisticated, highly volatile investments like cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for group retirement plans. Eric references a Senate bill introduced by Senator Tommy Tuberville that seeks to reverse the ...

After earning a Sociology degree from Texas Tech University, Justin pursued graduate studies in Marriage and Family Counseling at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. While in school, he worked part-time in the accounting department of a multi-state organization, eventually transitioning into a role in Human Resources—a better fit for his ...

In this episode of Friday Fiduciary Five, Eric Dyson talks about the ARA Leadership Triangle: Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability. He emphasizes that while authority can be delegated, responsibility cannot. Eric uses examples from leadership roles to illustrate the consequences of lacking these elements: apathy without accountability, frustration without au...

With over 25 years of experience in financial services, Kelly has a passion for helping employers optimize their retirement plans and empower their employees to achieve financial security and retire with confidence. Combining financial expertise with wellness coaching, Kelly enjoys crafting comprehensive strategies that support employees throughout their health and w...