https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs daily 1.0 2026-03-26 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/the-dol-5-part-test-is-officially-back-why-one-time-advice-isnt-the-free-pass-some-advisors-think-it-is monthly 0.5 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/302ac993-331f-4c59-ba9e-878d49710cf6/8BoD0hgiatK.webp Blogs - The DOL 5-Part Test is officially back , Why 'one-time' advice isn't the free pass some advisors think it is - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/0c2db391-4ad6-4977-9427-802d9dceaf66/nFrAQ_K5JMz.webp Blogs - The DOL 5-Part Test is officially back , Why 'one-time' advice isn't the free pass some advisors think it is - You can’t be an ERISA Fiduciary (providing current services) and then just put on a "Non-Fiduciary" hat for the rollover and then swap it back for a "Fiduciary" hat ten minutes later once the assets hit the IRA. The DOL (and more importantly, the trial lawyers) will look at the intent and the totality of the relationship . And if you are not sure if you were an ERISA Fiduciary PRIOR to the rollover, check out our deep dive on am I an ERISA fiduciary for more context on how these definitions bleed into each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/51cb15a3-1e59-4cf7-b826-ab659a5ca051/lCdgSvxAuOR.webp Blogs - The DOL 5-Part Test is officially back , Why 'one-time' advice isn't the free pass some advisors think it is - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/7a69dee1-42e9-4635-89d7-509a1d686a54/JEXBxoLL_4P.webp Blogs - The DOL 5-Part Test is officially back , Why 'one-time' advice isn't the free pass some advisors think it is - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/best-practices-for-401k-fiduciary-financial-advisors-under-erisa-law monthly 0.5 2026-02-18 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/fidelity-amp-schwab-vs-pontera-the-why monthly 0.5 2025-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/23e0be4b-c611-43aa-a599-c117831008d9/fidelity+and+schwab.jpeg Blogs - Fidelity & Schwab vs. Pontera — the “WHY”! - In October I blogged about Fidelity blocking Pontera’s access to its platform. (Fidelity V Pontera - CLICK HERE to read it). Since I wrote that blog, it has been reported that Schwab has also started blocking Pontera users. (I have no firsthand knowledge of this, as we don’t have a lot of clients with 401(k) plans at Schwab). Much has been written about this David V Goliath battle. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/fidelity-vs-pontera-round-2 monthly 0.5 2025-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/9d0ebd36-c9a8-41a6-b07b-d4771eb0801c/ChatGPT+Image+Oct+13%2C+2025%2C+05_09_11+PM.png Blogs - Fidelity vs Pontera (Round 2)! - On September 16, 2024, I wrote my second blog post as the “ERISA Nerd” about Fidelity announcing they will be blocking Pontera’s technology. You can read the post by CLICKING HERE. Well, here we go again! On Friday, I received several emails at our “trading” domain about the NY Times article discussing the battle between Fidelity and Pontera. You can read the NY Times article by CLICKING HERE (I had to pay to read it) https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/do-you-have-clients-age-50-or-older-making-more-than-145000-per-year monthly 0.5 2025-09-29 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/why-the-dols-third-extension-on-the-fiduciary-rule-is-a-big-deal monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/082ecfe1-86cc-4f7f-b2e5-66fd19a029df/Screenshot+2025-08-19+132950.png Blogs - Why the DOL’s Third Extension on the Fiduciary Rule Is a Big Deal https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/private-equity-in-401k-plans-boon-or-a-big-nothing-burger monthly 0.5 2025-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/2dc2574f-dd29-449b-826e-b13f7635cdf6/2.jpg Blogs - Private Equity in 401(k) plans: Boon or a big nothing burger? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/five-part-test-vs-bidens-new-fiduciary-rule-whats-supposed-to-change-and-why-it-matters monthly 0.5 2025-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/1752080202223-7PBZ8N0RC9D62HKVZ3HY/ChatGPT+Image+Jul+9%2C+2025%2C+12_54_43+PM.png Blogs - Five-Part Test vs. Biden's New Fiduciary Rule: What’s Supposed to Change and Why It Matters - If you’re a financial professional working with 401(k) participants or IRA clients, you need to know this: The Department of Labor (DOL) has been trying to overhaul the definition of who qualifies as an ERISA fiduciary. That means the rules for when you're considered an ERISA Fiduciary (and what you must do if you are) could be changing in a big way! Since 1975, the DOL has relied on “The Five-Part Test”, to determine ERISA fiduciary status for those providing non-discretionary investment advice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/3f9c1e70-dca8-449a-a09c-9e0d14d952af/chart.png Blogs - Five-Part Test vs. Biden's New Fiduciary Rule: What’s Supposed to Change and Why It Matters - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/calling-all-chief-compliance-officers-ccodont-miss-the-june-30th-deadline monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/there-is-going-to-be-an-increase-in-erisa-lawsuitsnbsp monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/what-financial-advisers-need-to-know-about-the-biden-administrations-retirement-security-rule-as-of-april-2025-and-the-erisa-nerds-two-cents monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/1745337292619-WJOZHGRHUOYHT79KI3Q7/photo+trump.jpg Blogs - What Financial Advisers Need to Know About the Biden Administration’s Retirement Security Rule (As of April 2025) and the ERISA Nerd’s “two cents” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/ohio-division-of-securities-vs-ponteranbsp monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/is-the-biden-dol-rule-dead-under-trump monthly 0.5 2025-07-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/ad2085d9-de5b-4b3a-9100-c858d37bedf5/IMG_0092.jpg Blogs - Is the Biden DOL Rule dead under Trump? The Biden Administration put forth changes to section 3(21)(a)(ii) of ERISA in April 2024. Section 3(21)(a)(ii) of ERISA defines how an adviser can become an ERISA Fiduciary by providing “non-discretionary” advice. Since 1975 there has been a Five Part Test to determine if you were operating as an ERISA Fiduciary. The Biden Administration looked to amend this with a three-part test. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/sarasota-florida-paradise-or-the-new-technology-hotspot monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/660b2c39-4c2d-46be-b2db-f6c1e301c1fa/IMG_1490.jpg Blogs - Sarasota Florida – Paradise or the new technology hotspot? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/why-you-should-do-your-annual-retrospective-review-now monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/ad2085d9-de5b-4b3a-9100-c858d37bedf5/IMG_0092.jpg Blogs - Why you should do your Annual Retrospective Review now! - Happy new year! I hope that 2025 is the best year you and your family ever experience. As an ERISA Nerd, I am encouraging all my clients and investment adviser friends not to wait until the end of June to do your required Annual Retrospective Review. And there is a specific reason why. As you know (or should know), you need to complete a “Rollover” form that is compliant with Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02 (PTE 2020-02) when you are an ERISA Fiduciary and you recommend a rollover to an IRA where you will earn more compensation than you are currently earning. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/ce-needs-to-be-completed-by-122424 monthly 0.5 2025-08-19 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/2024-year-of-ceo-turnover-what-should-we-expect-in-2025 monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/64d895d5-091f-486c-8b8e-a3383089f071/pexels-rdne-7841420.jpg Blogs - 2024 the Year of CEO turnover – what should we expect in 2025? According to a 9/21/24 NewsNation article, CEO turnover is up over 50% from the previous year. It’s not just in our industry. But major companies like Starbucks, Nike, and Boeing to name just a few. And it seems that every week there is another CEO stepping down (or being forced out) in the financial industry. Is there an underlining “cause” for the increase in 2024? https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/am-i-an-erisa-fiduciary monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/7f47daba-8ce2-47c1-99bd-5bcc11df2141/pexels-polina-zimmerman-3958872.jpg Blogs - Am I an ERISA Fiduciary? - This is one of the main questions that I get from advisers. Or I get an adviser telling me they don’t have to worry about being an ERISA Fiduciary as they are an SEC Fiduciary. Now, I don’t have the time in this blog to write about all the reasons that advisers could potentially end up losing their house by thinking they don’t have to worry about being an ERISA Fiduciary because they are an SEC Fiduciary. And here is the main reason, you can be “personally” liable for your client’s losses as an ERISA Fiduciary, but not as an SEC adviser! https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/hurricane-milton-1st-person-view monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/e094f310-74cc-4473-9717-337f504f71bb/milton.jpg Blogs - Hurricane Milton - 1st person view! It’s Thursday October 10, 2024 at 1030am EDT. Last night Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key Beach, five miles from my house. I’ve been in Florida for ten years and this was not my first hurricane. But this was my first time that I’ve been in a hurricane where we took a direct hit! https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/mass-challenge-early-stage-cohort-graduate monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/c2687f2e-a888-492f-9bbc-e9401c74a267/MC+2.jpg Blogs - Mass Challenge Early Stage Cohort – graduate! I am typing this blog from the couch of a hotel room in Dallas, TX. What seemed like forever ago, I was in Boston, MA (with 100+ entrepreneurs) for the kickoff of a 12-week program to “accelerate” my ERISA compliant software business. The program is called the Mass Challenge, and it took me 4 attempts over 4 years to get accepted to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/08b52b22-ca3e-4974-9d25-241072b8e4c8/MC+1.jpg Blogs - Mass Challenge Early Stage Cohort – graduate! And that’s the one thing that really sticks out for me. The program was good (chaotic at times) and the information was useful, but the people were amazing. I have never met a group of people that are so willing and eager to help before. And I am 51 years of age! https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/fpa-conference-2024 monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/f5cc453e-cffd-46ec-a1f9-036bc167c81f/2.jpg Blogs - FPA Conference 2024 - Last week I had the incredible honor of landing my first “paid” speaking gig. So, I want to give a great big shout out and say thank you to the Financial Planning Association (FPA) for allowing me to share my passion of ERISA law with many of your members. Yes, you read that right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/fd0a16f7-4817-4e6c-b7cf-5dd67f812669/1.jpg Blogs - FPA Conference 2024 The dirty secret in our industry is that working with ERISA accounts and participants is about the only thing you can do in our industry that gives your clients direct access to the court system. And to make matters worse, they also can change a single lawsuit into a “class action” lawsuit. So, most of the largest institutions do everything they can to make sure their financial professionals DO NOT become “ERISA Fiduciaries” (which is different than being an “SEC Fiduciary”). And this is why I am passionate about ERISA law! This is why I am an ERISA Nerd! https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/fidelity-vs-pontera-zblkx monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/7fa6e77d-1409-4c97-be8d-d957b5087bb9/fvp2.jpg Blogs - Fidelity vs pontera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/september-15th-2008-the-day-the-financial-industry-changed-forever monthly 0.5 2025-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/1726420932587-OZJGGAXT22Z7GVOFPNFY/download.png Blogs - September 15th, 2008: The day the financial industry changed forever! You may be thinking what does 9/15/2008 have anything to do with ERISA? The short answer is nothing! On September 15, 2008, we saw two of the world’s largest financial institutions fail on the same day. And it did not affect ERISA law in one iota. However, it was the “birth” of the ERISA Nerd! Here is the back story . . . https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/lehman+bankruptcy monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/403+advice monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/kevin+t+clark monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/lehman+brothers monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/pontera monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/erisa+nerd monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/fidelity monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/plan+confidence monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/held+away+assets monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/held+away+accounts monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/Biden+Administration monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/bailout monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/Retirement+Security+Rule monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/ERISA+Law monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/401k+advice monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/FPA monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/ERISA+Fiduciary monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/9%2F15%2F2008 monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/FPA+Conference+2024 monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/ERISA+Nerd monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/september+15+2008 monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/merrill+lynch+bankruptcy monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/9%2F15%2F08 monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/blogs/tag/Kevin+T+Clark monthly 0.5 https://www.erisanerd.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-09-30 https://www.erisanerd.com/erisa-law daily 0.75 2025-09-30 https://www.erisanerd.com/about daily 0.75 2025-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/ae958674-5c0e-4278-9bc9-b602c2db571b/ktc+%281%29.jpg https://www.erisanerd.com/erisa-best-practices-ce-course daily 0.75 2025-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/c92674cf-9270-42c7-90ad-8ea33d53c766/ChatGPT+Image+Jul+25%2C+2025%2C+02_01_58+PM.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/c57730a6-a2dc-439b-b323-7537db4e5c69/Slide2.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/ac34a51c-cccb-4dca-a4a9-df05f53229b5/Slide3.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/66db5948d5e1d54a97f21521/e9cf9b6b-2a58-415e-941a-f2137d493d35/ktc+%281%29.jpg