Granite Retirement Services LLC is proud to offer a retirement plan program specially designed for small and mid-sized companies that gives each plan participant access to a personalized one-on-one investment education from an experienced financial advisor. The program uses Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) as the plan’s primary investment option, which offers investors a solid investment strategy and relative cost efficiency.

Why ETFs

An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is a portfolio of securities, such as stocks or bonds, constructed to closely track the composition and performance of a market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. ETFs trade like stocks and are continually priced throughout the day.

Features of Exchange Traded Funds in a qualified plan

• Diversification: ETFs provide exposure to a broad range of domestic and global capital market indices, making them an ideal vehicle for implementing an asset allocation strategy.
• Low Expenses: ETFs generally have low internal expense ratios, helping to reduce the cost of managing a portfolio.
• Tracks an Index: Nearly 90% of the actively managed funds have lagged behind the S&P 500 Index during the past 20 years. (Source: Greg Salsbury, Ph.D. executive vice president, Jackson National Life Distributors, Inc.)

The ETF 401(k) Solution Advantage

• 5 Actively managed all ETF Collective Trusts from Wilmington Trust sub-advised by Consulting Group*
• 2 Actively managed all ETF Collective Trusts from Wilmington Trust sub-advised by Lazard Asset Management LLC*
• An Investment Policy Statement
• An investment management fiduciary to oversee fund selection and to defend its decisions
• On site enrollment meetings and Power Point enrollment seminar
• Bundled recordkeeping and administration
• Fee transparency, total disclosure, nothing hidden
• Ongoing support and training for the Advisor, Plan Sponsor and TPA**

An investment in Exchange Traded Funds is subject to risk. The value of an investment and the return on invested capital will fluctuate over time, and, when sold or redeemed, an investment may be worth less that its original cost. ETFs will fluctuate with changes in market conditions and may not be suitable for all investors. In many cases ETFs have lower expense ratios than comparable index funds. However, since ETFs trade like stocks, they may be subject to brokerage fees and trading spreads. ETFs do not necessarily trade at the net asset values of their underlying holdings, meaning an ETF could potentially trade above or below the value of the underlying portfolio.

*Participants may independently choose to invest in securities outside of the ETF model portfolios. Investment Advisor Representatives provide educational services to plan participants. Plan participants may use a Risk Assessment Questionnaire which may lead them to an asset allocation strategy that may be appropriate for their particular financial needs and objectives.

**Third Party Administrator: A Third Party Administrator handles insurance and pension funds, such as claims processing and other administrative services for insurance carriers, employee-benefit plans, and self-insurance funds.

www.census.gov/econ/industry/def/d524292.htm)

All information herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy.

Investment Advisor Representatives may transact business in a particular state only if first registered, excluded or exempted from Investor Adviser Representative requirements. In addition, follow-up conversations or meetings with individuals in a particular state that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made absent compliance with Investment Adviser Representative registration requirements, or an applicable exemption or exclusion. Consulting Group, Lazard Asset Management LLC, WTRIS, Granite Retirement Services LLC and ePlan Services, Inc. a Paychex company, are separate and unrelated companies.

This site is maintained by ePlan Services, Inc. a Paychex company, a retirement plan provider. Opinions voiced within are not intended to provide specific advice and should not be constructed as recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments and strategies may be appropriate for you, consult with your financial, tax or legal professional. Please remember that investment decisions should be based on an individuals goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. Consulting Group, Lazard Asset Management LLC, WTRIS, and Granite Retirement Services LLC do not endorse or warrant the adequacy of the information available.