The Governing Board of the Western Pension & Benefits Council invites you to register for the following webinar:
Is a Group Retirement Plan Right for Your Organization?
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM PDT
SPECIAL WEBINAR FORMAT:
This program will be presented live by the WP&BC Seattle Chapter for its in-person attendees and simultaneously streamed to webinar participants throughout the Western Pension & Benefits Council.
Speakers:
Jon Chambers, Managing Director, Creative Planning Institutional Advisors, LLC
Sam Dart, In-House Counsel, Hunnex & Shoemaker
Kevin Hutton, Regional Sales Manager, Empower
Panel Moderator: Jennifer Schuessler CFP, CPFA, Retirement Plan Consultant, Gallagher
Continuing Education:
1.5 Hours of CE for the following:
AIF (pending), ASPPA, CA CPA, CA MCLE, CEBS, CFP (pending), ERPA, JBEA, NIPA
Registration:
$50 for active members of a WP&BC chapter
$65 non-members
Members, please login to get member rate. Contact your chapter for login credentials if needed.
Description:
Group retirement plan arrangements are evolving rapidly. From Multiple Employer Plans (MEPs) and Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) to retirement plans offered through Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs), employers have more options than ever before.
Join our panel of industry experts for a candid discussion on how these arrangements work, who may benefit from them, and the key fiduciary, administrative, and operational considerations that are often overlooked. We'll discuss current market trends, common challenges, and important considerations for employers evaluating whether to join, remain in, or exit a group plan arrangement.
Whether you're a plan sponsor, advisor, attorney, administrator, or other retirement industry professional, you'll leave with a better understanding of the opportunities and complexities surrounding today's group retirement plan marketplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the key differences among MEPs, PEPs, PEO-sponsored retirement plans, and other group retirement plan arrangements.
- Identify the fiduciary, administrative, and operational considerations associated with participating in a group retirement plan.
- Evaluate the potential benefits, challenges, and key factors employers should consider when deciding whether to join, remain in, or exit a group retirement plan arrangement.
Panelists:
Jon Chambers, Managing Director, Creative Planning Institutional Advisors, LLC, has 40 years of retirement plan industry experience, specializing in the analysis, design and implementation of retirement plan investment programs. He helps plan sponsors develop efficient and successful plan administrative structures and assists plan fiduciaries in fulfilling responsibilities and mitigating risk. Jon is a nationally recognized specialist on 401(k) fee structures. Currently, Jon serves on the subcommittee for Department of Labor (DOL) issues for the American Retirement Association’s (ARA’s) Government Affairs Committee, a group that works to help DOL simplify and refine regulatory guidance.
Sam Dart serves as in-house counsel for Hunnex & Shoemaker, a third-party administration firm based in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Dart provides advice regarding plan design, operation, and ERISA compliance to Hunnex & Shoemaker clients. Prior to joining Hunnex & Shoemaker, Mr. Dart practiced law in Tacoma, Washington with a focus on civil litigation, complex business disputes, and fiduciary fraud.
Kevin Hutton is a Regional Sales Manager for Empower. In his role, he is responsible for collaborating with advisors, third-party administrators, and consultants in Washington and Alaska to optimize retirement plan solutions for their clients. Kevin joined Empower in 2021 with 15 years of experience in the retirement plan services industry. He previously held similar roles at MassMutual and The Hartford.
Panel Moderator: Jennifer R. Schuessler CFP, CPFA
Jennifer is a Retirement Plan Consultant at Gallagher, guides businesses in finding the ideal retirement and financial wellness solutions for their employees. Jennifer is passionate about educating employees on the benefits of saving and investing. Having consulted one-on-one with workers across various industries, she understands the impact an employer's retirement program has on individuals and families. Through close communication with her clients, she can present solutions beyond the status quo. Jennifer serves as the Quarterly Program co-chair for the Seattle Chapter of the Western Pension & Benefits Council.
Thank you to our webinar sponsor!
