Retirement2026-04-08T10:54:10+00:00

Retirement Plan Services for Businesses

Independent Fiduciary Guidance for 401(k) and Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

At Calado Capital, we help business owners and company leadership approach retirement plans with greater clarity, structure, and accountability. A well-run 401(k) plan is more than an employee benefit. It is a fiduciary responsibility, an administrative process, and a critical element of your plan’s long-term success.

Our role is to help businesses evaluate, strengthen, and oversee retirement plans with an independent, hands-on approach. Whether you are reviewing an existing 401(k), preparing to launch a new plan, or looking for more responsive fiduciary support, we help you make informed decisions with confidence.

Why This Matters

For many businesses, retirement plans are implemented once and thereafter operate with limited oversight. Meetings become infrequent. Documentation is not always reviewed. Investment menus may go unchecked. Fees can remain higher than necessary. Internal teams may be left carrying responsibilities they were never fully equipped to manage.

That creates risk.

Calado Capital works with business owners, executives, and HR leadership to bring structure to the process—helping ensure your plan receives the oversight, benchmarking, and strategic review it deserves.

Retirement Plan Services for Businesses

What We Do

401(k) Plan Benchmarking and Review

We perform a structured review of your retirement plan to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. A plan benchmark may include an assessment of:

  • plan design and structure
  • contributions and participation
  • investment options
  • fees and costs
  • investment performance
  • participant education and communication
  • compliance and administration
  • plan provider effectiveness
  • governance and fiduciary oversight

This review helps employers better understand whether the plan is functioning as intended and where corrective action or improvements may be needed.

Fiduciary Expertise and Risk Mitigation

Retirement plans carry fiduciary obligations. We help businesses navigate those obligations with practical, independent guidance.

Calado Capital can serve as either:

3(21) Co-Fiduciary

We provide investment recommendations, plan guidance, and fiduciary support while the employer retains decision-making authority over investment selections.

3(38) Investment Manager / Full Fiduciary for Investments

We take discretionary responsibility for selecting, monitoring, and replacing investment options in accordance with the plan’s investment policy statement (IPS), reducing the employer’s burden over day-to-day investment decisions.

The right structure depends on your company’s goals, internal resources, and desired level of involvement.

Fiduciary Expertise and Risk Mitigation

Investment Oversight and Prudent Portfolio Construction

A retirement plan should offer employees a thoughtful, well-monitored investment lineup—not a neglected menu of funds that remains unchanged for years.

We help businesses with:

  • development and review of investment policy statements
  • fund selection and monitoring
  • performance benchmarking
  • fee reasonableness analysis
  • ongoing reporting and performance reviews

Our goal is to support a prudent, disciplined framework that serves both the company and plan participants.

Streamlined Plan Administration Support

While we are not a third-party administrator or CPA firm, we help companies coordinate the moving parts that keep a plan functioning smoothly.

That may include support around:

  • payroll integration coordination
  • tracking eligibility and enrollment processes
  • contribution monitoring
  • identifying documentation gaps
  • coordination with providers, TPAs, and other specialists
  • support related to Form 5500 processes through the appropriate service providers

In short, we help reduce friction and improve oversight, so HR and leadership teams are not left carrying unnecessary administrative burden alone.

Why Businesses Choose Calado Capital

Independent Advice

Calado Capital provides independent advisory services and is not limited to a single financial institution’s investment platform. Our recommendations are intended to reflect the needs and objectives of the plan and its fiduciaries.

Fiduciary Mindset

We understand that retirement plans are not only about investments. They are also about process, oversight, compliance, and responsibility.

Senior-Level Attention

You work directly with experienced leadership and receive consistent senior-level attention throughout the engagement

Practical Business Perspective

Claudio Calado brings experience not only as a financial adviser and investment banker, but also as a CEO. That means he understands retirement plans from the employer’s side as well as the advisory side.

Why Businesses Choose Calado Capital

A Sample Scenario: From Neglected Plan to Clear Oversight

Consider a growing company with an established 401(k) plan and a long-standing provider relationship. The plan appears functional on the surface, but leadership has not had regular fiduciary meetings, key documents are not easily accessible, investment performance has not been thoroughly reviewed, and internal stakeholders are unsure whether fees and oversight are still appropriate. 

Calado Capital conducts a structured benchmark review across plan design, investment options, fees, administration, and governance. We identify areas that need attention, provide practical recommendations, and help leadership understand their fiduciary responsibilities more clearly. 

The process is designed to support a stronger governance framework, clearer accountability, and a more confident approach to managing the plan going forward.

Disclaimer: This hypothetical example is provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not describe any specific client engagement and does not represent actual results or outcomes.

Who We Work With

We work with:

  • business owners
  • CEOs and CFOs
  • HR leaders
  • companies reviewing an existing 401(k) plan
  • companies evaluating whether they need stronger fiduciary support
  • employers seeking a more independent and responsive advisory relationship

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 401(k) plan benchmark?2026-03-31T11:01:24+00:00

A benchmark is a structured review of a retirement plan’s design, investments, fees, administration, and governance. It helps employers understand how the plan is functioning and where improvements may be needed.

What is the difference between a 3(21) and a 3(38) fiduciary?2026-03-31T11:01:50+00:00

A 3(21) fiduciary provides advice and recommendations, but the employer retains final decision-making authority. A 3(38) fiduciary takes discretionary responsibility for selecting and monitoring plan investments.

Do you replace my recordkeeper or payroll provider?2026-03-31T11:02:13+00:00

Not necessarily. In many cases, we work alongside your existing providers and help assess whether the current structure is serving the company well.

Do you handle Form 5500 filings?2026-03-31T11:02:39+00:00

We do not serve as the filing provider, but we can help coordinate with the appropriate specialists and support the broader oversight process.

Why work with an independent adviser instead of a large institution?2026-03-31T11:02:58+00:00

Many large institutions rely on standardized service models and proprietary solutions. Calado Capital offers independent advice, direct senior-level attention, and a more tailored approach to fiduciary support and plan oversight.

Let’s Review Your Plan

If your company offers a retirement plan—or is considering one—Calado Capital can help you evaluate whether it is structured, monitored, and supported the way it should be.

Reach out to discuss a retirement plan benchmark or fiduciary support engagement.

Inspirational Financial Services 2 Power Your Ambitions®

Favicon
Quick Links
Legal

© 2025 Calado Capital • Website Design by WSI

Go to Top