The Wise Fiduciary Podcast

The Wise Fiduciary is your go-to source for everything related to fiduciary responsibility, ERISA, and retirement plans. As a podcast owned and produced by Fiduciary Wise, we're committed to sharing the latest news and information on the industry, as well as best practices and expert advice to help retirement plan advisors, TPAs, and other service providers stay ahead of the curve.If you're looking to stay informed and up-to-date on all things fiduciary, ERISA, and retirement planning, then The Wise Fiduciary is the podcast for you. Subscribe now and join us on this journey.

The Wise Fiduciary Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Fiduciary Wise, with 42 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Fiduciary Wise hosts The Wise Fiduciary Podcast, a business show with 42 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #8

  The Set It and Forget It Trap in 401k Plan Design | The Wise Fiduciary Podcast S5 E8

  Aug 13, 202630 minS5

  Retirement plans aren't crock pots. One of the biggest fiduciary mistakes isn't making the wrong decision—it's assuming an old decision never needs to be revisited. Marta Hurst welcomes retirement plan consultant Melissa Terito to discuss how automatic enrollment, eligibility rules, matching formulas, compensation definitions, and other legacy provisions can quietly become fiduciary risks when they no longer reflect today's workforce. Learn why periodic plan design reviews matter, how participant education fits into fiduciary oversight, and why "we've always done it this way" isn't a fiduciary defense. Whether you're a plan sponsor, HR leader, committee member, or advisor, this episode offers practical guidance for evaluating whether your retirement plan still works as intended. Special thanks to Melissa Terito for joining this conversation and sharing the TPA perspective on modern retirement plan design. Learn more: Website: https://fiduciarywise.com Schedule a Conversation: https://fiduciarywise.com/scheduling Education Hub: https://fiduciarywise.com/education-hub ERISA Fiduciary Checklist: https://fiduciarywise.com/erisa-fiduciary-checklist Connect with Melissa: https://www.sp-tpa.com/melissaterito https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaterito/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restructured-with-melissa-terito/id1534354111 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sentinel-show/id1542828466

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  Episode #7

  When Participant Choice Becomes Participant Harm | Why More Investment Options Can Increase Fiduciary Risk

  Aug 6, 202615 minS5

  Does giving participants more investment choices actually help them? Not always. In this episode, Marta Hurst explores one of the most overlooked fiduciary risks in retirement plan design: investment lineup bloat. Many committees assume that adding more funds creates more flexibility and better participant outcomes. In reality, every additional investment increases oversight responsibilities, creates more documentation requirements, and often leaves participants overwhelmed instead of empowered. You'll learn: • Why more investment options aren't always better • How duplicate funds create unnecessary fiduciary exposure • Why participants struggle with overly complex investment menus • What committees should consider before adding another fund • Practical steps for simplifying your investment lineup while strengthening fiduciary oversight This Week's Fiduciary Homework Review your current investment lineup. Can you clearly explain why every investment exists? If not, your lineup may have crossed the fiduciary red line. Learn more: Services: https://fiduciarywise.com/services Education Hub: https://fiduciarywise.com/education ERISA Fiduciary Checklist: https://fiduciarywise.com/checklist ERISA, retirement plans, fiduciary, investment committee, participant investing, employee benefits, plan sponsor, investment menu, fiduciary oversight, retirement plan governance

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  Episode #6

  The QDIA Comfort Trap: Why Choosing a Default Investment Isn't Enough | The Wise Fiduciary S5 E6

  Jul 30, 202629 minS5

  Choosing a QDIA is only the beginning. Many retirement plan committees believe selecting a Qualified Default Investment Alternative (QDIA) completes their fiduciary responsibility. In reality, that's where the work begins. In this episode, Marta Hurst is joined by retirement investment expert Bryce Sowitch to explore the ongoing responsibility of monitoring target-date funds, evaluating glide paths, understanding participant demographics, and avoiding the common assumption that "set it and forget it" is good governance. If you're responsible for a retirement plan, this episode will help you better understand where your fiduciary responsibility begins—and where the red line actually is. Pull your latest QDIA review documentation and ask: • Why was this investment selected? • Does it still fit our workforce? • Are participant fees reasonable? • Can our committee clearly defend this decision? Learn more: Education Hub https://fiduciarywise.com/education Free Fiduciary Checklist https://fiduciarywise.com/checklist Services https://fiduciarywise.com/services Follow the podcast https://podfollow.com/1774461504 This Week's Fiduciary Homework

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  Episode #5

  Managed Accounts: Enhancement or Liability? | Season 5 Episode 5

  Jul 23, 202617 minS5

  Most retirement plans now offer managed accounts—but are they actually improving participant outcomes, or simply adding another layer of fees? In this episode of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explores when managed accounts become a fiduciary enhancement… and when they become a fiduciary liability. You'll learn: • Why managed accounts became so common• How fee compression influenced their growth• The fiduciary concerns surrounding managed account QDIAs• How to evaluate fees against measurable participant value• Questions every plan committee should be asking Season 5 focuses on The Fiduciary Red Line —the point where common industry practices quietly become fiduciary risk. This Week's Fiduciary Homework Pull your managed account report and ask: • What does it cost participants?• How many participants actually use it?• Can you demonstrate better outcomes?• Would a target-date fund achieve similar results? Learn more at FiduciaryWise.com.

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  Episode #4

  When Cheap Gets Expensive: The Hidden Cost of Retirement Plan Fees | The Wise Fiduciary Pod S5 E4

  Jul 16, 202617 minS5

  Everyone wants lower fees. But at what point does fee compression become a fiduciary red flag? In this episode of the Wise Fiduciary Podcast, Marta Hurst explores why the lowest-cost retirement plan option is not always the best fiduciary decision. Lower fees can be a positive outcome—but only when plan sponsors understand what services are being provided, what responsibilities are being shifted, and what potential conflicts exist behind the pricing. This episode explores: • How hidden fees can impact retirement plan costs • Why proprietary investment options require careful review • How service reductions can create additional responsibilities for employers • Why reasonable fees matter more than simply the lowest fees • Questions every retirement plan committee should ask before selecting a provider A fiduciary's job is not to find the cheapest plan. It's to make informed decisions that serve participants' best interests. ERISA, fiduciary, retirement plans, 401k, employee benefits, plan sponsors, retirement committees, compliance, governance Continue the conversation: Read this week's Fiduciary Insight: https://fiduciarywise.com/cheapest-retirement-plan-isnt-best-value/ Download the ERISA Fiduciary Checklist: fiduciarywise.com/checklist Learn more: fiduciarywise.com

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