Third Party Administrators

Third Party Administrators (TPAs) play a critical role in helping employers meet their fiduciary and operational responsibilities under ERISA. At Baumgard + Fedance, we provide strategic, behind-the-scenes legal counsel to TPAs seeking to strengthen their client offerings, mitigate compliance risks, and keep pace with the evolving retirement plan landscape.

Whether you're looking to refine plan operations, implement custom plan features, or navigate legislative change, our team offers timely, pragmatic guidance informed by deep experience across the retirement plan ecosystem.

We stay ahead of regulatory developments so you don’t have to. Our attorneys provide ongoing legal analysis and practical advice on ERISA, tax code, and DOL/IRS guidance to ensure your services and your clients' plans remain compliant.
  • Counsel on the impact of existing and pending legislative and regulatory activities impacting retirement assets
  • Strategic analysis of new laws and guidance, including SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 implementation
  • Interpretation of IRS and DOL rules relevant to TPAs and their clients
  • Support for DOL and IRS audits and investigations
  • Guidance on fiduciary best practices, ERISA governance protocols, and internal documentation

We partner with TPAs to enhance the value they deliver to clients by providing robust legal support across the plan lifecycle—from design and implementation to corrections and updates.
  • Drafting, amending, and restating plan documents for defined contribution and defined benefit plans
  • Design and implementation of MEPs, PEPs, ARPs, and GoPs
  • Legal representation and documentation for DOL VFCP and DFVCP, as well as IRS EPCRS filings
  • Plan governance consulting, including fiduciary committee structures and expense allocation practices
  • Analysis of operational failures and plan correction strategy

As the regulatory landscape shifts and client demands evolve, TPAs play an increasingly strategic role in the retirement plan ecosystem. We partner with TPAs to refine operations, enhance services, and provide compliance-driven consulting support for long-term success.
  • Consulting on ERISA, Internal Revenue Code, and DOL compliance strategies for day-to-day plan administration
  • Counsel on the impact of existing and pending legislative and regulatory activity affecting retirement assets
  • Development and integration of discretionary administrative services and outsourcing structures
  • Legal review and drafting of TPA service agreements, recordkeeping contracts, and administrative support agreements
  • Assistance with documenting operational procedures and plan governance protocols
  • Risk assessment and best practices related to fiduciary and co-fiduciary exposure
  • Support with operational corrections, participant disclosures, and contribution or distribution failures
  • Training for internal compliance teams and operational leads

Our goal is to strengthen your service model with thoughtful legal guidance that keeps your practice protected and positioned for growth.

We equip TPA teams with the legal knowledge they need to serve clients confidently and effectively. From tailored workshops to legislative alerts, our education services keep your firm and your clients ahead of the curve.
  • Custom ERISA training sessions for your staff and partners
  • Whitepapers and updates on regulatory developments and legal trends
  • Guidance on plan communication strategies and participant disclosures
  • Co-branded compliance and fiduciary education materials for use with your clients

Partnering for Impact

At Baumgard + Fedance, we view our TPA relationships as strategic partnerships. We help you differentiate your services, respond to complex compliance challenges, and provide your clients with legally sound, high-value solutions.

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Let’s build smarter, stronger retirement solutions—together.