A PARTNER IN YOUR RETIREMENT

Schedule a Meeting

401(k) Plan Advisor

From establishing a new 401(k) to providing an independent, third-party review of an existing plan, Norwood Economics provides business owners with the support, advice, and education they need to ensure top retirement plan performance. We are fiduciaries held to a high standard of care with respect to plan design, investment management, and employee education.

REVIEW AN EXISTING 401(K)

FREE, INDEPENDENT, THIRD-PARTY REVIEW

The Department of Labor strongly encourages 401(k) plan sponsors to conduct an independent, third-party review of their plan at least every three years. This should be done by someone not currently affiliated with the plan in any way and is not the same as your plan advisor's annual participant review.


The DOL wants business owners to be good fiduciaries, putting 401(k) plan participants’ best interests first. They want plan sponsors to know: whether their plan’s expenses are reasonable, whether the plan design is appropriate, and whether there are compliance issues that need to be addressed.

Businesswoman Holding Her Cellphone — Fishers, IN — Norwood Economics

Plans are often twice as costly to owners and participants with tens of thousands of dollars annually in available expense savings. As well, plan designs are too often sub-optimal, failing to take advantage of all of the tax breaks allowed by ERISA (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974). 

WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT

  • We conduct an independent, third-party review of your plan for free, with no obligation.
  • We provide employers with plan designs that capture the maximum tax breaks allowed by ERISA.
  • We customize 401(k) plans to your workforce to best achieve your goals as a business owner.
  • We provide comprehensive workplace education to help your employees achieve their financial goals.

401(K) PLAN SETUP

A GOOD 401(K) CAN HELP YOU TO

  • Attract talented people in today’s challenging job market
  • Retain valuable employees who want retirement options in their benefits package.
  • Enjoy tax advantages available to you as the employer offering the plan

SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

We offer extensive communication and education programs to help drive retirement readiness. 

  • Semi-Annual 401(k) presentations
  • Employee one-on-ones 
  • Video conferencing sessions with participants and employers 
  • Educational emails to participants and employers

recent blog posts

High Level of Uncertainty Surrounding Trade Policy

By Christopher Norwood • June 2, 2025
Executive Summary The S&P 500 rose 1.9% last week to finish at 5911.69 The S&P 500 rose 6%, the Dow rose 3.8% and the Nasdaq climbed nearly10% in May Could see another test of support around 5,800 this week Several longer-term negative divergences may be pointing to a tough summer Declining new highs during an advancing market is a negative Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been trending lower Earnings drive the stock market over the long run

A Trading Range Market Most Likely

By Christopher Norwood • June 2, 2025
Executive Summary The S&P 500 fell 2.6% last week to close at 5,802.82. The 20-Year Treasury auction went poorly. The yield rose above 5%. The 5% threshold has twice this year resulted in the administration adjusting its stance on tariffs. (Make that three times as Trump over the weekend gives the U.K. until July 9 th .) Longer-term inflation expectations are rising. Moody’s downgraded the U.S. to Aa1 on 16 May. The credit default swaps market sees the U.S. as a Baa1/BBB+ credit, on par with Greece. The tax cut bill will add to the deficits and debt. Long-term interest rates might well continue to rise.

Buying Companies on Sale is a Successful Strategy

By Christopher Norwood • May 19, 2025
Executive Summary The S&P 500 rose 5.3% last week to finish at 5,958.38 The Dow advanced 3.4% and the Nasdaq added 7.2% A falling VIX means investor confidence is increasing A 90-day pause in the trade war sent the S&P higher Earnings estimates are falling along with GDP growth forecasts Earnings and interest rates drive the stock market over the long run Investors are chasing performance Small business hiring plans and job openings haven’t improved Norwood Economics continues to look for good companies on sale The Stock Market