Running a 401(k) plan comes with significant responsibility. As a fiduciary, you’re tasked with safeguarding your employees’ financial futures, a role that demands careful planning and unwavering diligence. While it might sound like another piece of corporate jargon, a well-crafted 401(k) Investment Policy Statement (IPS) isn’t just a document—it’s your strategic blueprint.
Think of the IPS as the compass guiding your plan’s investment journey. It helps you navigate fiduciary duties, maintain consistency, and, most importantly, demonstrate procedural prudence under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). And while it’s not legally mandated, it’s widely considered a best practice and often a key request during regulatory audits.
Ready to build your plan’s financial fortress? Here’s your step-by-step guide to writing an effective IPS: