A smarter 401(k), without the complexity
The Affiliates Choice Retirement Plan is a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) designed to reduce complexity, lower costs and streamline fiduciary responsibility.
Managing a retirement plan has become more demanding
Rising costs, complex regulations, and increasing fiduciary responsibility are making employee retirement plans harder to manage, especially for organizations with limited internal resources.
A simpler approach
The Affiliates Choice Retirement Plan allows multiple employers to participate in one professionally managed employer 401(k) plan, where key administrative and fiduciary responsibilities are handled by experienced providers, helping reduce risk and free up your team.
Why organizations are moving to a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP)
Cost Efficiency
Group pricing and a single plan audit help reduce overall expenses
Less Administrative Work
Experienced providers handle the majority of day-to-day administration
Reduced Fiduciary Risk
Key responsibilities shift to professional 3(38) and 3(16) fiduciaries
Trusted Partners
Industry-leading providers for recordkeeping, compliance, and investment management.
A coordinated team, working on your behalf
Pooled Plan Provider - The Finway Group
Plan oversight, administration, and fiduciary responsibility
3 (38) Investment Manager and Plan Advisor - First Community Trust
Investment selection and monitoring, employee enrollment support, retirement education, annual plan reviews and ongoing consulting guidance
Recordkeeper - Empower®
Participant experience, technology, and reporting
Trustee - Empower®
Directed trustee and oversight of timely plan contributions
Together, this structure delivers a more efficient and professionally managed plan.
What changes with a PEP?
A Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) simplifies plan management by shifting many administrative and fiduciary responsibilities to the plan provider—reducing your workload and fiduciary risk.
| RESPONSIBILITIES | TRADITIONAL 401(K) | AFFILIATES CHOICE RETIREMENT PLAN (PEP) |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance testing and filings | Employer responsibility | Handled by the PEP plan providers |
| Loan and distribution approvals | Employer responsibility | Handled by the PEP plan providers |
| Notices and documentation | Employer responsibility | Handled by the PEP plan providers |
| Audit coordination | Employer responsibility | Handled by the PEP plan providers |
| Ongoing plan oversight | Employer responsibility | Handled by the PEP plan providers |
| What you focus on | Many day-to-day tasks and fiduciary responsibilities | Key plan obligations Submit payroll data Review year-end information Monitor plan providers |
Bottom line
Most administrative and fiduciary responsibilities shift to the Pooled Plan Provider and service team, helping reduce your workload.
Is a PEP a good fit?
A PEP is often a strong fit for organizations that:
- Want to reduce administrative burden and fiduciary exposure
- Have lean HR or finance teams
- Are looking to improve efficiency and scale
- Want a more structured, professionally managed plan
Why First Community Trust?
With decades of experience supporting retirement plans, First Community Trust brings disciplined investment oversight, fiduciary experience, and a client-focused approach to the Affiliates Choice Retirement Plan.
We work alongside trusted partners to deliver a coordinated solution so you can focus on your organization, not plan administration.
Take the next step
Let’s evaluate your current plan and identify opportunities to reduce cost, complexity and risk, with no obligation.
Talk to an Advisor
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Services for Organizations
Through unparalleled investment solutions and expertise, First Community Trust manages assets on behalf of for profit corporations, non-profit organizations, financial institutions, foundations and endowments.
Credit Union Investments
FCT offers specialized investment services for Credit Unions, including Charitable Donation Accounts (CDA) and Pre-funded Employee Benefit Accounts (PEB).
Credit Union Wealth Management Partnership
FCT helps credit unions deliver high-touch wealth management services to their members without the burden of building in-house expertise.
Non-Profit
FCT partners with your organization in the important work of enriching your community’s quality of life.