---
title: Do We Have to Consider Pay Before a Participant is Eligible When Calculating Matching Contributions?
description: Do you really have to calculate company matching contributions for participants before they were eligible for your retirement plan? Find out in this QOTW.
image: https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_401_png_category.png
---

[![logo](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/logo.svg "logo")](https://www.dwc401k.com/)

[![logo](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Dwc-2019/SVG/logo.svg "logo")](https://www.dwc401k.com/)

[![Contribution Limits](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/af3ae025-72b1-41fa-8855-5e196d6c26e4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/af3ae025-72b1-41fa-8855-5e196d6c26e4)

[![Log in](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/3466ce37-58ba-4a93-bddb-0d4c8bb8ccbc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/3466ce37-58ba-4a93-bddb-0d4c8bb8ccbc)

[![services-icon1](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon1.png)

## Plan Document

 A properly drafted document is the foundation of achieving the company's objectives and keeping the plan in operational compliance. 

](https://www.dwc401k.com/services/plan-document) [![services-icon2](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon2.png)

## Plan Compliance

 We have a fundamental understanding of how critical plan compliance is to both the IRS and Department of Labor. 

](https://www.dwc401k.com/services/plan-compliance) [![services-icon3](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon3.svg)

## Defined Benefits Services

 We work with business owners and investment advisors to determine what makes the most sense by providing a detailed cost benefit analysis. 

](https://www.dwc401k.com/services/defined-benefits-services) [![services-icon4](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon4.svg)

## Mergers, Aquisitions & Related Company Analysis

 The DWC team is well-versed enough in the nuances and is ready to help you navigate the situation. 

](https://www.dwc401k.com/services/mergers-acquisitions-analysis) [![services-icon5](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon5.png)

## Plan Corrections

DWC's extensive experience with both the IRS and Department of Labor voluntary correction programs allows us to help you address just about any accident that might happen.

](https://www.dwc401k.com/plan-corrections) [![services-icon6](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/services-icon6.png)

## Government Audits

 Being selected for an audit can feel overwhelming, but the process doesn't have to be. 

](https://www.dwc401k.com/services/government-audits)

![service-right-icon](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/QOTW/March%202020/service-right-icon.svg)

## Investment Advisor Support

DWC has a long history of successfully partnering with investment advisors.

We bring decades of experience, supported by the resources to deliver comprehensive solutions for your clients. Our consultants understand the importance of your relationships and will work seamlessly alongside your team.

[![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/e8259ee4-7af4-4a93-8f14-6176b30c4ada.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/e8259ee4-7af4-4a93-8f14-6176b30c4ada)

## [ Categories ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog)

[### DWC Developments

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/dwc-developments) [### Industry Insights

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/industry-insights) [### Regulatory Round-Up

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/regulatory-round-up) [### Cash Balance Corner

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/cash-balance-corner) [### 401(k) Q&A

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/401k-qa) [### Operational Overview

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/operational-overview) [### Lessons from Litigation

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/lessons-from-litigation) [### Pension Primer

](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/pension-primer)

## [ Articles ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog)

[![https://3113501.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3113501/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/the-new-era-of-401ks-evaluating-private-equity-for-retirement-portfolios)

### [The New Era of 401(k)s: Evaluating Private Equity for Retirement Portfolios](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/the-new-era-of-401ks-evaluating-private-equity-for-retirement-portfolios)

[![https://3113501.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3113501/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/why-the-simple-to-401k-transition-is-finally-simple)

### [Why the SIMPLE-to-401(k) Transition Is Finally… Simple](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/why-the-simple-to-401k-transition-is-finally-simple)

[![https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-6)

### [Decoding the Alphabet Soup: What’s With All the Acronyms | Part 6](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-6)

[![https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-5)

### [Decoding the Alphabet Soup: What’s With All the Acronyms | Part 5](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-5)

[![https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-4)

### [Decoding the Alphabet Soup: What’s With All the Acronyms | Part 4](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-4)

[![https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_rr_png_category.png](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_rr_png_category.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/in-case-of-emergency-dont-break-plan)

### [In Case of Emergency, (Don't) Break Plan!](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/in-case-of-emergency-dont-break-plan)

[![See all](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/da389b32-e8ba-4681-ac07-738df4376a5b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/da389b32-e8ba-4681-ac07-738df4376a5b)

[!["Complete Control" with Recommended Contributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Cash%20Balance%20Corner/September%202020/CBC%20-%209.3.2020%20-%20Complete%20Control%20with%20Recommended%20Contributions_Retirement%20Plan%20Design.png?width=800&height=350&name=CBC%20-%209.3.2020%20-%20Complete%20Control%20with%20Recommended%20Contributions_Retirement%20Plan%20Design.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/calculating-recommended-contributions-cash-balance-corner)

### ["Complete Control" with Recommended Contributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/calculating-recommended-contributions-cash-balance-corner)

[![“Cover Me” with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CBC-8.19-PBGC.png?width=800&height=350&name=CBC-8.19-PBGC.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/cover-me-with-pbgc)

### [“Cover Me” with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/cover-me-with-pbgc)

[![10-Retirement-Compliance-Failures](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Blog%20Collateral%20-%20Old%20Designs/Blog%20Header%20Images_Old%20Watermarked%20Design/10-Retirement-Compliance-Failures.png?width=800&height=350&name=10-Retirement-Compliance-Failures.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/10-common-retirement-plan-compliance-failures-found-by-the-irs)

### [10 Common Retirement Plan Compliance Failures Found by the IRS](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/10-common-retirement-plan-compliance-failures-found-by-the-irs)

[![2020 DOL Enforcement Stats: Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Question%20of%20the%20Week/3.4.2021%20DOL%20Enforcement%20Blog.png?width=800&height=350&name=3.4.2021%20DOL%20Enforcement%20Blog.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/2020-dol-enforcement-statistics)

### [2020 DOL Enforcement Stats: Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/2020-dol-enforcement-statistics)

[![2020 Retirement Plan Tax Deductions - It's Not Too Late](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20-%204.15.2021%20-%202020%20Retirement%20Plan%20Deductions.png?width=800&height=350&name=Blog%20-%204.15.2021%20-%202020%20Retirement%20Plan%20Deductions.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/2020-retirement-plan-deductions-not-too-late)

### [2020 Retirement Plan Tax Deductions - It's Not Too Late](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/2020-retirement-plan-deductions-not-too-late)

[![QOTW - 5.8.2018 - 401k Distribution Rules - After Taking a Hardship Distribution How Quickly Must a Participant Stop 401k Contributions - Plan Distributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Question%20of%20the%20Week/QOTW%202018/May%202018/QOTW%20-%205.8.2018%20-%20401k%20Distribution%20Rules%20-%20After%20Taking%20a%20Hardship%20Distribution%20How%20Quickly%20Must%20a%20Participant%20Stop%20401k%20Contributions%20-%20Plan%20Distributions.png?width=800&height=350&name=QOTW%20-%205.8.2018%20-%20401k%20Distribution%20Rules%20-%20After%20Taking%20a%20Hardship%20Distribution%20How%20Quickly%20Must%20a%20Participant%20Stop%20401k%20Contributions%20-%20Plan%20Distributions.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/whats-happens-when-you-take-a-hardship-distribution)

### [401(k) Distribution Rules: After Taking a Hardship Distribution, How Quickly Must a Participant Stop 401(k) Contributions?](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/whats-happens-when-you-take-a-hardship-distribution)

[![See all](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/270feba7-1532-4fb2-aaad-f6fc30d696e6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/270feba7-1532-4fb2-aaad-f6fc30d696e6)

- [DWC](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/dwc)
- [Question of the Week (QOTW)](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/question-of-the-week-qotw)
- [Retirement Plan Design](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/retirement-plan-design)
- [401(k) Plan](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/401k-plan)
- [News](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/news)
- [Plan Compliance](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/plan-compliance)
- [Plan Distributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/plan-distributions)
- [Highly Compensated Employees](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/highly-compensated-employees)
- [Nondiscrimination Testing](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/nondiscrimination-testing)
- [Plan Correction](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/plan-correction)
- [Legislation](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/legislation)
- [Cash Balance](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/cash-balance)
- [Fiduciary Responsibility](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/fiduciary-responsibility)

[![See all](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/6e4f2713-d231-4e2f-9509-351824dea8bd.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/6e4f2713-d231-4e2f-9509-351824dea8bd)

Company

### The DWC Difference

Meet our team, explore career opportunities, and learn how DWC partners with TPAs to grow.

- [About Us Who we are and our story ](https://www.dwc401k.com/about)
- [Join the 401k Experts Open roles and life at DWC ](https://www.dwc401k.com/about/careers)
- [Mergers and Acquisitions Grow faster with DWC ](https://www.dwc401k.com/mergers-and-acquisitions)

[![feature image](https://3113501.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3113501/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/the-new-era-of-401ks-evaluating-private-equity-for-retirement-portfolios)

### <https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/the-new-era-of-401ks-evaluating-private-equity-for-retirement-portfolios>

[![feature image](https://3113501.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3113501/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20without%20category%20name/hero_pp_png.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/why-the-simple-to-401k-transition-is-finally-simple)

### <https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/why-the-simple-to-401k-transition-is-finally-simple>

[![feature image](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-6)

### <https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-6>

[![feature image](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/SVG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_pp_category.svg) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-5)

### <https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/decoding-the-alphabet-soup-whats-with-all-the-acronyms-part-5>

[![DWC News Update: The CARES Act: Federal Coronavirus Relief](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Blog/Mega%20Nav%20Featured%20Blog%20Image.png) ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/cares-act-federal-coronavirus-relief-dwc-news-update)

## [ The CARES Act: Federal Coronavirus Relief ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/cares-act-federal-coronavirus-relief-dwc-news-update)

[ Back to Knowledge Center ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog)

![Do We Have to Consider Pay Before a Participant is Eligible When Calculating Matching Contributions?](https://www.dwc401k.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_401_png_category.png?width=800&name=hero_401_png_category.png)

# Do We Have to Consider Pay Before a Participant is Eligible When Calculating Matching Contributions?

[ DWC ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/author/dwc) |

 Published: 06/9/2020 

|

[Question of the Week (QOTW)](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/question-of-the-week-qotw), [DWC](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/dwc), [Plan Compliance](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/plan-compliance), [Nondiscrimination Testing](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/nondiscrimination-testing), [Compensation](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/compensation), [True Up Contributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/true-up-contributions), [401(k) Q&A](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/401k-qa)

## Facts

Each year, after our last payroll in December, I submit my census information to the TPA for our 401(k) plan.  Even though I’ve looked at each participant’s total deferrals for the year to determine the matching contributions, the TPA almost always has true-up contributions for me to make.  Taking a closer look, it seems like these true-ups are always related to newly eligible participants and the part of the year before they became eligible.

## **Question**

Do I really have to calculate contributions for participants before they were eligible for the plan?

## **Answer**

Maybe so.  The plan document, with all its nuances, spells out the compensation you must use to calculate employer contributions.  For this question, we’re going to focus on the definition of compensation rather than the method of calculating matching contributions.  Granted, both of these things are important to ensuring you accurately calculate contributions; so if you have any questions on the difference between “payroll period” and “entire plan year” calculations, we’ve got you covered [here](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/what-is-a-true-up-matching-contribution).

Let’s start with the basics.  There are really two ways to define the period of compensation for contributions.  The first is plan year compensation which, for this purpose, is as straight forward as it sounds: it is the compensation earned by the participant during the full plan year.  The second is participating compensation, which is the compensation paid to the participant from the date he or she first enters the plan through the end of the year.  Let’s look at a quick example:

> John becomes eligible to enter your plan on April 1, 2020.
> 
> If the plan uses plan year compensation, you’ll use the compensation you paid to John from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 to calculate contributions and perform nondiscrimination testing.
> 
> If, instead, the plan uses participating compensation, you’ll look at John’s compensation from April 1st through December 31, 2020.

With an understanding of these two options, you might be asking why anyone would choose plan year compensation over participating compensation.  Although it’s quite common for plan sponsors to choose participating compensation, there are circumstances where plan year compensation is preferable.  One such circumstance is when a plan provides for a very short service requirement and/or frequent plan entry dates.  Frequent plan entry dates (think monthly or even each pay period) mean that you would be stuck looking at different compensation periods for each new participant, while short service requirements mean that there is minimal cost savings from using participating compensation.

Let’s return to our friend John for another example.  Assume the plan requires employees to complete a month of service to become eligible and provides for monthly plan entry dates.  John was hired on March 1, 2020, and entered the plan a month later on April 1st.  His plan year compensation runs from March 1st through the end of the year, while is participating compensation runs from April 1st.  That leaves him with only one month of ineligible compensation, meaning the “extra” compensation used in calculating his match is minimal and any cost savings on the match is likely insignificant.

Using plan year compensation for all participants is much more streamlined, which leads to time savings as well as fewer opportunities for miscalculations due to manual data entry.  Both of these translate into cost savings which may even outweigh any added cost related to the matching contributions.

The other scenario where a plan sponsor may prefer plan year compensation is when the plan is top heavy.  If a plan is top heavy, you must calculate the minimum required employer contribution using plan year compensation *even if the plan otherwise calls for participating compensation*.  We provide additional details [here](https://www.dwc401k.com/knowledge-center/nondiscrimination-testing-top-heavy-determination), but if a plan is ultimately going to have to look at full year compensation for contributions anyway, a sponsor may not find the participating compensation exercise worth the while.

There’s a potential “gotcha” that is worth mentioning here.  Participating compensation is based on when the employee becomes a participant in the plan.  That is, a participant by ERISA definitions, meaning the date he or she is first eligible to contribute and not the date he or she actually starts contributing.  John became a participant on April 1, 2020.  If John chooses to wait until July 1, 2020 to being making contributions, his participating compensation is still the amount he was paid from April 1st through December 31, 2020.  The fact that John does not begin making contributions to the plan until some time after April 1st is not relevant.

By no means are these the only items to consider when designing your plan and selecting the period of compensation.  The period of compensation is an important determination that is used for the [ADP/ACP tests](https://www.dwc401k.com/knowledge-center/nondiscrimination-testing-adp-and-acp-tests), [cross testing for profit sharing contributions](https://www.dwc401k.com/knowledge-center/profit-sharing-allocation-methods), [and other nondiscrimination tests](https://www.dwc401k.com/knowledge-center/nondiscrimination-testing-overview).  Carefully designing the definition of compensation can be a strategic component to creating a plan that efficiently and effectively meets company objectives year after year.  It is typically allowable to amend your plan to expand the definition of compensation at any time; however, any change that restricts the definition can usually only be made prospectively at the start of subsequent plan year.

Questions about how your plan document defines the period of compensation?  Wondering if there are changes that can improve the ease of administration or annual test results?  Reach out to the [DWC Team](https://www.dwc401k.com/about/our-team) and we can review your specific plan provisions and discuss your unique needs to ensure you avoid year-end surprises with a plan that works the way you want.

Want a printable version of this article? [Click here. ](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Printable%20Articles/QOTW%20-%206.9.2020%20-%20Do%20We%20Have%20to%20Consider%20Pay%20Before%20a%20Participant%20is%20Eligible%20When%20Calculating%20Company%20Matching%20Contributions%20-%20Plan%20Compliance.pdf)

[![Submit Your Question Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3113501/ea1283f0-31cd-4e2b-ac92-d185c9da303c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3113501/ea1283f0-31cd-4e2b-ac92-d185c9da303c)

- Share
- [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/considering-pay-before-eligibility-calculating-company-matching-contributions&title=Do%20We%20Have%20to%20Consider%20Pay%20Before%20a%20Participant%20is%20Eligible%20When%20Calculating%20Matching%20Contributions?&picture=https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Center/Pillar%20Categories%202024/PNG%20-%20with%20category%20name/hero_401_png_category.png&description=Do%20you%20really%20have%20to%20calculate%20company%20matching%20contributions%20for%20participants%20before%20they%20were%20eligible%20for%20your%20retirement%20plan?%20Find%20out%20in%20this%20QOTW.)
- [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/considering-pay-before-eligibility-calculating-company-matching-contributions&hashtags=)

## Browse categories

[ DWC Developments ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/dwc-developments)

[ Industry Insights ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/industry-insights)

[ Regulatory Round-Up ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/regulatory-round-up)

[ Cash Balance Corner ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/cash-balance-corner)

[ 401(k) Q&A ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/401k-qa)

[ Operational Overview ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/operational-overview)

[ Lessons from Litigation ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/lessons-from-litigation)

[ Pension Primer ](https://www.dwc401k.com/blog/topic/pension-primer)

[ Browse by Topic ](https://www.dwc401k.com/knowledge-center-topics)

## Subscribe to our newsletter

### Only the Best Retirement Industry Content

Get our 401(k) and defined benefits content delivered directly to your inbox.

Subscribe for Updates

| Certificate of Fiduciary Excellence |
| --- |
|  |

#### As Featured In

[![fl-wall-street-journal](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-wall-street-journal.png) ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-manage-your-target-date-fund-after-retirement-1488769981)

[![fl-the-hill](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-the-hill.png) ](https://thehill.com/)

[![fl-bloomberg-BNA](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-bloomberg-BNA.png) ](https://www.bloombergbna.com/)

[![fl-US-News](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-US-News.png) ](https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/2017-04-12/pros-and-cons-of-401-k-brokerage-options)

[![fl-yahoo-news](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-yahoo-news.png) ](https://www.yahoo.com/news/pros-cons-401-k-brokerage-options-135040365.html)

[![fl-plan-sponsor](https://www.dwc401k.com/hubfs/_global/footer-logos/fl-plan-sponsor.png) ](https://www.plansponsor.com/cits-lower-fees-seen-as-an-advantage-over-mutual-funds/)

©    DWC - The 401(k) Experts | P.O. Box 241267, St. Paul, MN 55124

### Sign up to receive insights from DWC