Identifying and Addressing Excess Costs on the Ascensus Platform

Ascensus serves as a 401(k) recordkeeper and retirement plan platform. When fees are higher than expected in an Ascensus-based plan, the cause is typically structural, not the platform itself.

An Ascensus 401(k) high-fee review is designed for plan sponsors and fiduciaries who want to understand where plan costs originate, why they may have increased over time, and how they can often be improved without changing platforms or disrupting participants.

At Holland Capital Management, we focus on identifying correctable fee drivers inside the existing Ascensus environment.

This service may be appropriate if you:

  • Believe plan fees are higher than they should be
  • Are you receiving participant complaints about costs
  • Have not benchmarked plan fees recently
  • Want to reduce expenses without a complete plan overhaul

Why Fees Can Be High in Ascensus-Based Plans

Higher fees in Ascensus plans are commonly tied to factors such as:

  • Legacy pricing arrangements that no longer reflect the current plan size
  • Investment share class selection and revenue-sharing structures
  • Layered advisory, administrative, or service provider costs
  • Plan growth that has outpaced original pricing assumptions

 

These issues often develop gradually and go unnoticed without a focused review.

What This Review Covers

This engagement focuses specifically on identifying and evaluating fee-related issues within an Ascensus-record-kept plan, including:

  • Plan-level and participant-level fees
  • Investment expense ratios and share class usage
  • Revenue-sharing and cost allocation methods
  • Advisor and service provider compensation structures
  • Opportunities to improve pricing within the current platform

The objective is cost clarity and improvement, not disruption.

Our Fiduciary Approach

Holland Capital Management operates under a fiduciary standard. This means:

  • Guidance is provided in the best interest of the plan and its participants, consistent with our fiduciary obligations
  • Compensation is transparent
  • No proprietary platforms or pricing incentives
  • Analysis precedes any discussion of change

Our role is to help plan fiduciaries understand and address costs responsibly.

Who This Is Typically For

Ascensus high-fee reviews are commonly requested by:

  • Business owners sponsoring Ascensus-based 401(k) plans
  • Plan committees reviewing plan expenses
  • Fiduciaries are concerned about fee reasonableness
  • Organizations preparing for benchmarking or audit review

You do not need to change recordkeepers to engage this service.

What the Process Looks Like

  • Introductory conversation to understand plan concerns
  • Review of fee disclosures and plan documents
  • Analysis of cost drivers and pricing structure
  • Discussion outlining observations and possible improvements

There is no obligation to implement any recommendation.

How This Fits Into Broader Fiduciary Oversight

Fee reasonableness is a core fiduciary responsibility. Addressing excessive or opaque fees can:

  • Reduce fiduciary risk
  • Improve participant outcomes
  • Strengthen plan defensibility

For many plans, fee improvement is achievable within Ascensus, without changing recordkeepers or disrupting participants.

Can Holland Capital Management Help You Achieve Your Goals?  Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation second opinion. 

 

Let’s Talk 

Locations Where Ascensus 401(k) Plan Reviews Are Offered

Holland Capital Management provides Ascensus 401(k) plan reviews to clients in the following cities and regions:

Ascensus 401k High Fees

Ascensus 401k High Fees for Medical Practices

Getting Started

If you oversee an Ascensus-record-kept 401(k) plan and are concerned about fees, the first step is a brief conversation to determine whether this review is appropriate for your situation.