Meaningful Choices for Your Retirement Plan

At Schwab Retirement Plan Services 1. we believe you should be able to design the retirement plan that best fits your business—and your employees’ needs. That’s why our plan options include everything from true open architecture to built-in managed account services. We recognize that you want choices that matter so that you can offer your participants plan choices that can help them achieve better outcomes. 2

Our retirement plan innovations continue to help participants get more value from their plan and realize better outcomes.

• Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc. led the industry in 1995 with true open investment architecture in its retirement plans.
• Charles Schwab Bank introduced the Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Funds in 2002. 3,4   
• Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc. broke new ground in 2003 by providing advice at no additional cost 5 to participants.
• Charles Schwab Bank introduced the first Schwab Indexed Retirement Trust Funds® in 2009. 3,4
• In 2012, Schwab Retirement Plan Services, Inc. introduced Schwab Index Advantage®, an innovative 401(k) offer designed to help participants save more, gain access to funds with low investment costs, and better prepare for retirement. 5

When you work with Schwab Retirement Plan Services you gain a retirement plan provider focused on supporting your plan and helping you do what’s right for your employees.

Consider your choices:

• Schwab Index Advantage 401(k) plans —Our innovative approach combines low-cost 6   index funds and a personalized savings strategy with built-in, third-party investment advice services. 7   Plan sponsors can select a fund lineup of index mutual funds or exchange-traded funds—both options could drive down operating expenses for participants. To help participants with plan investing and saving, sponsors can choose between two separate managed account service providers. The goal? More savings for your employees and an effective, streamlined plan that works for you.
• Traditional 401(k) plans —An open-architecture service designed to provide a wide range of investment choices and optional plan features to help you tailor your plan to your employees’ needs.
• Other plan types —A wide variety of defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation services that integrate easily with your 401(k) plan.

Design a Plan That Makes Good Business Sense

Your retirement plan is a strategic business tool that helps you attract and retain talented employees. Make the most of the opportunity by working with Schwab Retirement Plan Services.

You receive streamlined administration, in-depth plan performance information, and support that addresses the varied financial situations of many of your employees.

The right retirement plan can help your employees feel more secure about their finances, which can free them to be more productive at work. 8 That makes good sense for everyone.

Customize Your Plan

Your company has unique needs. So do your employees. Schwab Retirement Plan Services provides you with the tools and resources you need to create a plan that balances both. Choose from a wide range of defined contribution and defined benefit plans, and work with your client service team to bring your strategy to life. Once your plan is in place, rely on us to help you keep your plan in tune with your evolving business—year after year.

Gain Insight to Improve Your Plan

Schwab Retirement Plan Services provides customized investment and benchmarking reports to help you monitor and improve your plan.

Your investment report provides you with asset allocation comparisons, risk/return analysis, investment style information, Charles Schwab Focus List, 10 and an overview of current economic conditions to help you carry out your due diligence.

And with your benchmarking report, you can measure your plan’s effectiveness by comparing your plan’s specific services and performance with plans from similar-size companies.

Together, these reports can provide you with important information to help you strengthen the benefit you offer your employees.

Count on Dedicated Service

Feel confident handling even the most complex plans. Schwab Retirement Plan Services’ dedicated service team backs you every step of the way. ERISA consulting representatives can help you understand the latest regulatory and legislative changes, while our Retirement Investment Services team can provide you with information to assist in your fiduciary decision making about investment management, 12 as well as assist with your Investment Policy Statement.

Help Your Employees Get on Track

Three out of four retirement plan participants aren’t on track to meet their retirement goals. 13 We believe that needs to change.

Schwab Retirement Plan Services provides retirement plans that can help your employees get on the path toward retirement readiness and stay there. We offer straightforward investments, third-party investment advice, automated plan features, easy access to plan information and management tools, clear communications, and education resources—all designed to help your employees save more for retirement.

Provide Guidance Your Employees Can Act On

Professional advice and education can make a big difference. In one study, participants who got help did better than those who did not 87% of the time. 14

With Schwab Retirement Plan Services, you can choose the type of financial guidance and advice that makes sense for your employees. We offer both point-in-time advice, as well as a managed account service with ongoing management. Retirement plan advice services are provided by Morningstar Associates or GuidedChoice, depending upon the type and level of service requested by the plan.

Focus on Better Outcomes 2

To drive better outcomes for participants, 2 we developed Schwab Personal Connection—a customized program that combines in-plan data with in-depth research. Our approach to plan education focuses on delivering:

• Engaging communications that meet participants where they are and help them take the next step
• Powerful tools such as My Retirement Progress to help participants monitor whether they’re on track toward their goals 16
• Access to one-on-one support that can help your employees get more from their retirement plan

Participants in Schwab Index Advantage can experience all of the benefits of Schwab Personal Connection, as well as the support of Schwab Retirement Planner, 7 a savings and investment strategy with ongoing professional management.

Meet the Various Financial Needs of Executive Employees

Your executive-level employees have unique financial needs. Through Schwab Executive Services, Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. can offer them personal, customized service from financial consultants who understand their complex situations. These consultants will work closely with your executives to help them get the most from their equity compensation, stock option, and retirement plan benefits. The consultants can also work with outside advisors, so even if your executives already have financial advisors, they can still take advantage of this service.