A plain-English guide to managing your organization's 401(k) or 403(b) plan

With 122 million participant accounts across nearly 900,000 defined contribution plans and ERISA litigation increasing, plan sponsors face serious fiduciary obligations that most never trained for. The Definitive Guide to 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Administration: Simplifying Plan Design to Improve Participant Outcomes, written by Fred Barstein, who has trained over 15,000 plan sponsors through TPSU, explains DC plan management in accessible, straightforward language.

The book covers how to improve participant outcomes, use your retirement plan as a recruiting and retention tool, and limit fiduciary liability, administrative burden, and costs. Barstein draws on decades of experience educating plan sponsors, DC advisors, and retirement professionals to present actionable guidance grounded in real-world plan administration rather than abstract theory or legal jargon.

Readers will also find:

• Guidance on fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA, including how to recognize and manage your liability as a plan sponsor

• Strategies for simplifying plan design to drive better retirement outcomes for participants across your organization

• Practical approaches to controlling plan costs while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory requirements

• Insights on leveraging defined contribution plans as effective tools for employee recruiting and long-term retention

• Plain-English explanations of key concepts tailored for HR, benefits, and finance professionals new to plan oversight

Written for plan sponsors in HR, benefits, and finance departments who oversee their organization's retirement plan but lack formal training, this book also serves DC advisors, record keepers, third-party administrators, and asset managers seeking a clear reference for client education and plan governance.