Plan design
Payroll: Off the shelf, set up without much thought
Built to raise what owners can contribute, adjusted in profitable years and lean ones
FOR CALIFORNIA BUSINESS OWNERS
The $80,000 401(k) mistake, and how to avoid it.
Most small-business plans come bundled with payroll. Melissa Estrada and Kevin Manahan explain what those plans miss, who is really responsible, and what a designed plan does differently.
Book a free plan reviewShort call, no obligation.
Melissa Estrada + Kevin ManahanPayroll 401(k)s vs designed plans
8:40 · CCJUMP TO
“A 401(k) plan has a lot of responsibility to it, but you don't have to go at it alone.”
Melissa Estrada, CFP®, Founder of Fidela Wealth.
Designed plans vs. template plans.
Payroll companies add a 401(k) as an upsell. It runs fine until something goes wrong, and as plan sponsor, the owner is alsways the one responsible.
| Plan feature | PAYROLL-BUNDLED PLAN | DESIGNED BY CMC, ADVISED BY FIDELA |
|---|---|---|
| Plan design | Off the shelf, set up without much thought | Built to raise what owners can contribute, adjusted in profitable years and lean ones |
| Compliance testing | Relies on you to classify every employee correctly | An actuary runs the tests and catches problems before they become bills |
| Fiduciary duty | Yours, alone, often without knowing it | Shared with you, with a documented due-diligence process |
| Investments | A standard menu of funds | Each fund vetted against its peers on risk-adjusted performance, consistency, downside risk and fees |
| Your employees | A login and a help line | Managed portfolios run like private wealth accounts, plus a yearly education meeting |
Compliance testing
Payroll: Relies on you to classify every employee correctly
An actuary runs the tests and catches problems before they become bills
Fiduciary duty
Payroll: Yours, alone, often without knowing it
Shared with you, with a documented due-diligence process
Investments
Payroll: A standard menu of funds
Each fund vetted against its peers on risk-adjusted performance, consistency, downside risk and fees
Your employees
Payroll: A login and a help line
Managed portfolios run like private wealth accounts, plus a yearly education meeting
YOUR REVIEW TEAM
Two specialists, one plan.
Melissa Estrada
CFP®, CIMA®, BFA™ · Founder, Fidela Wealth.
Selects and monitors the investment lineup, documents the process, and meets with your team every year.
Kevin Manahan
ASA, MSPA, EA · President, CMC Pension Professionals.
Actuary and TPA. Designs the plan around the owner and keeps it compliant year after year.
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Bring your current plan or just your questions. We'll tell you what we see.
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