Designing, building and supporting

the next generation of retirement plans

The Architect 401(k), LLC "Open" Multiple Employer Plan

Retirement plan sponsors are spending an increasing amount of time dealing with administrative issues, compliance issues, tax reporting and now new disclosure requirements, all of which take away valuable time from focusing on running a business. An "Open" Multiple Employer Plan can reduce risk, save time, eliminate headaches and most of all…

Save Money!

What is an "Open" MEP?

MEP stands for Multiple Employer Plan. The Architect 401(k), LLC has established a master contract, approved by the IRS, where businesses that currently have a retirement plan, or wish to establish one, can adopt The Architect 401(k) MEP retirement plan. In turn The Architect 401(k) MEP becomes the plan sponsor, plan administrator, plan trustee and plan fiduciary. As an "Adopting Employer" each business owner will have the freedom to establish their own individual plan design, as they do today while still maximizing all the benefits and tax deductions allowed in the retirement plan industry.

What are some of the cost savings? No more plan document costs‐‐ As laws change plans must be amended and eventually restated every six years, which could cost thousands of dollars. Other than a small initial set‐up fee, your adoption agreement and all interim legislative amendments will be kept current and maintained by the plan sponsor, The Architect 401(k), LLC. (A small fee for adopter directed changes may apply) . No tax filing costs‐‐As an adopter of The Architect 401(k) MEP plan, we are responsible for capturing all the data from each adopter and file the necessary IRS Form 5500, which will save you time and money. No more compliance testing costs‐‐Most non‐safe harbor 401(k) plans, must comply with annual nondiscrimination testing to ensure their plan does not favor owners and/or highly compensated employees. The cost for testing can reach thousands of dollars each year. Administration and fund fees‐‐Because many adopters have come together to form this MEP, through economy of scale we are able reduce the cost of recordkeeping and administration. Fund fees have also been reduced by selecting the lowest cost share class mutual funds and ETFs on the investment platform. Significantly reduced internal administrative costs‐‐ By adopting The Architect 401(k) MEP we will take over administrative responsibilities for tracking eligibility, maintaining current enrollment materials, distributing Summary Plan Descriptions, sending Safe Harbor and QDIA notices, handling loans and distributions, administering hardship withdrawals, rollover requests and much, much more.

©The Architect 401(k), LLC. All rights reserved. Proprietary and confidential. Do not copy or distribute outside original intent.

What are some of my responsibilities today, as the plan sponsor of my current plan?

Maintaining plan document qualified status Monitoring plan fiduciary issues Producing and maintaining annually an investment

policy statement Determining eligibility Conducting and document enrollment and educational

meetings Maintaining current enrollment packets, summary plan

descriptions, QDIA notices and explanation of expenses

Administering hardship withdrawals Sending out Safe Harbor Notices and Summary Annual reports to participants Assuming liability associated with being a fiduciary Selecting and monitoring the investment platform Reviewing and documenting investment returns, fees and expenses Replacing funds not meeting the "Prudent Person" standards Conducting frequent meetings to review policies and procedures Maintaining 404(c) compliance information Administering participant loans Sending out participant termination packages Administering distributions and rollover requests Benchmark and analysis, providers and vendors every 3‐5 years

What are the benefits of The Architect 401(k) MEP Plan? As an adopting employer you will receive all the terrific benefits offered by a state-of-the-art, low cost, retirement plan for your employees, without all the headaches and hassles of administration, oversight and risk of sponsoring your own plan.

The Architect 401{k) MEP takes over the day -to-day operations of your plan as it relates to enrollments, notification, administration and documentation leaving more time for you and key employees to focus on your business at hand.

We monitor all the administrative functions including plan audits, as well as provide service for plan provisions such as loans, distributions, vesting and hardship withdrawals. We also make sure all employee notices are sent out including Safe Harbor notices, RMDs, Summary Plan Descriptions, Summary Annual Reports, and Annual Fee Disclosure with Benchmarking notices.

Under Section 3{38} of ERISA we are named the Fiduciary to the plan. By adopting our plan , you are transferring the responsibility and liability to us with respect to investment selection, monitoring and replacement of funds.

©The Architect 401(k), LLC. All rights reserved. Proprietary and confidential. Do not copy or distribute outside original intent.

What do I need to do going forward, if I adopt The Architect 401(k) MEP? Adopt The Architect 401(k) MEP master plan document Customize your plan design to best meet your company's needs Continue to submit 401(k) contributions in a timely fashion Provide final census, payroll files and general plan data at year end for administration and compliance

testing purposes Authorize us to file your IRS Form 5500 on your behalf each year

For more information visit us on the web at www.TheArchitect401k.com or call 866-955-401k.

©The Architect 401(k), LLC. All rights reserved. Proprietary and confidential. Do not copy or distribute outside original intent.