Benchmark Financial

Benchmark Financial Helping small and mid-sized businesses simplify their retirement plans—without sacrificing quality or compliance.

At Benchmark Financial, we’re rethinking the way companies manage their 401(k) plans. As one of the premier low-cost plan providers in Iowa. As one of the premier low-cost plan providers in the region, we specialize in delivering streamlined, audit-free retirement plan solutions that reduce administrative burdens, maintain investment flexibility, and often lower overall costs. With deep expertise

in plan compliance and administration, we serve as a true partner—making it easier for business owners to offer competitive retirement benefits while staying focused on what they do best. Proudly based in Iowa and focused on helping our local business community thrive. Let’s connect if you're looking for a smarter, simpler way to manage your company’s retirement plan.

When offering employee health benefits, understanding cost-sharing is crucial — as it impacts your budget, employee sati...
08/25/2026

When offering employee health benefits, understanding cost-sharing is crucial — as it impacts your budget, employee satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Swipe through for an overview of what to know.

Let us help you build a cost-sharing strategy that works for your business. Call us today to get started.

With the mid-point of the year approaching, we wanted to reach out and share a couple of tips that you can use to bolste...
08/20/2026

With the mid-point of the year approaching, we wanted to reach out and share a couple of tips that you can use to bolster 401(k) plan participation.

Regardless of whether you’re going through a participation slump or if you simply want to revamp your team’s experience with your plan offering, taking some time to re-evaluate how employees experience your 401(k) plan can make a big difference.

With that said, here are a few key ways employers can address the employee experience:

🔹 Audit the employee experience - Test enrollment and account-management processes internally to identify unnecessary steps, unclear instructions, or navigation issues that may discourage action.
🔹 Evaluate education accessibility - Ensure educational resources are concise, clearly labeled, and easy to find so employees do not abandon the process due to complexity.
🔹 Clarify the value proposition of participation - Frame messaging around real-world outcomes, such as long-term financial stability or maximizing employer-sponsored benefits.

Taking a structured mid-year approach allows employers to refine strategies before peak enrollment periods and helps maintain consistent engagement throughout the year. If you’d like support reviewing engagement trends or identifying practical next steps tailored to your organization, we’re always happy to connect.

Mid-year 401(k) plan administration and communication check-ins aren’t just about improving the employee experience. Thi...
08/17/2026

Mid-year 401(k) plan administration and communication check-ins aren’t just about improving the employee experience. This can also be a valuable time to revisit internal workflows to ensure management feels supported in communicating with their direct reports about 401(k) participation, features, and more.

Here are a few key ways internal processes can be revisited during a mid-year check-in:

🔷 Give guidance to leadership on 401(k) communication - Provide managers with simple talking points so they can reinforce benefit awareness during team check-ins or routine communications.
🔷 Revisit onboarding touchpoints - Take stock of how regularly new-hires are nudged about 401(k) plan participation and work together with management to create new opportunities to engage teammates.
🔷 Set clear internal engagement goals - Establish measurable objectives such as participation growth, contribution increases, or engagement benchmarks to track progress before year-end.

We hope you find these tips helpful. As always, if you have any questions about your 401(k) plan, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to be a resource for you.

For many business owners, mid-year is a natural time to reflect on how the year has gone so far and start planning for a...
08/12/2026

For many business owners, mid-year is a natural time to reflect on how the year has gone so far and start planning for a strong finish. One area to review during this time is employee benefits.

Reviewing your benefits offerings now gives you the opportunity to make thoughtful adjustments that support both your team and your long-term business goals. A proactive approach today can help position your business for success at year-end and beyond.

If you have not taken a fresh look at your benefits strategy this year, give us a call and let’s review your approach together. We are here to help you make informed, strategic decisions for the future.

Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans have been on the rise, and when an employee submits a request, the employer's rol...
08/06/2026

Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans have been on the rise, and when an employee submits a request, the employer's role is more involved than many plan sponsors realize. Swipe through for a breakdown of what employers need to understand about their administrative responsibilities when it comes to hardship distributions.

If you have questions about your plan or want to make sure your process is fully compliant, do not hesitate to send our office a message. We are here to help.

As summer approaches, many organizations begin to see increased employee turnover as younger workers cycle in and out of...
08/05/2026

As summer approaches, many organizations begin to see increased employee turnover as younger workers cycle in and out of the market, with school schedules affecting their ability to work.

That higher turnover can influence how a 401(k) plan operates behind the scenes, affecting administration, vesting considerations, and ongoing compliance monitoring. Significant changes can result in partial plan termination, which can have serious impacts for businesses, and even routine staffing changes can create cumulative effects over time.

Swipe for an overview of partial plan termination and other key considerations to keep in mind.

Workforce changes are a normal part of business operations, but aligning HR decisions with retirement plan administration helps avoid unexpected compliance challenges.

If your organization expects high turnover or seasonal workforce changes, feel free to reach out to schedule an annual compliance check-in. I’m happy to review your current plan operations, turnover trends, and overall plan health and provide guidance for possible next steps.

Offering a retirement plan to your employees is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a business owner. But wi...
08/03/2026

Offering a retirement plan to your employees is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a business owner. But with that comes a set of legal responsibilities that are worth understanding.

If your plan is subject to ERISA, knowing what that means for you as a plan sponsor can make a real difference in how confidently you manage your obligations. Swipe through for a clear, straightforward overview of what every business owner should know.

Have questions about your plan or your role as a plan sponsor? Send our office a message. We are here to help.

Business changes can create uncertainty for employees, especially regarding their retirement savings. One of the most im...
07/23/2026

Business changes can create uncertainty for employees, especially regarding their retirement savings. One of the most important roles of a 401(k) advisor during these transitions is helping plan sponsors navigate decisions while keeping participants informed and supported. Swipe to learn more.

If your organization is considering or currently undergoing a business change, contact us to discuss how we can support your 401(k) plan before, during, and after the transition.

Summer has a way of sneaking up on all of us, making it hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year. It can a...
07/13/2026

Summer has a way of sneaking up on all of us, making it hard to believe we’re already halfway through the year. It can also be a natural time to check in on your 401(k) offerings and ensure they continue to work for you and your team.

Whether you have questions, need to make adjustments, or simply want to revisit your plan, our team is here to support you this summer and beyond.

If something has been on your mind or you would simply like to connect, do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help keep your plans moving forward.

This July, we’re not just celebrating Independence Day — we’re also celebrating 250 years as a nation, a truly once-in-a...
07/03/2026

This July, we’re not just celebrating Independence Day — we’re also celebrating 250 years as a nation, a truly once-in-a-lifetime holiday. Our team wishes each of you a happy, safe, and memorable Fourth of July!

Please note that our office is closed on Friday, July 3rd. We’ll be back on Monday, July 6th, ready to assist with any early summer questions or needs.

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2616 Orchard Drive, Suite C1
Cedar Falls, IA
50613

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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