Becky Stealey and Puneet Brar: How to Find the Right 401(k) Advisor for Your Workforce

How do you know it is time to bring in a 401(k) advisor—and how do you choose the right one without just chasing the lowest fee? In this episode, you’ll hear how Weir Group structured an objective, employee-focused advisor search that balanced fiduciary prudence with true loyalty to their workforce.In this episode, Eric, Becky, and Puneet discuss:Need for advisory support beyond recordkeepingDefining prudence vs. loyalty in fiduciary governanceBuilding objective evaluation criteria for advisor searchesCulture fit and long-term partnershipKey Takeaways:An advisor search doesn’t have to be triggered by a problem with the recordkeeper; it can be driven by the desire to enhance governance and education for participants.Strong fiduciary governance means being intentional about both prudence (process) and loyalty (acting for employees’ best interests), not just minimizing organizational risk.Cost should be evaluated only after rigorously assessing culture fit, capabilities, and alignment with the plan’s priorities and participant needs.Treating an advisor as a long-term partner—rather than a vendor—helps committees design a structured, unbiased search and choose the firm best positioned to support participants over time.“The first thing we looked at before we got our three objectives was: is this a good culture fit for us?” - Becky Stealey“Once those objectives are set, go back to your vendors, talk to them. Are there any additional services they have that you can utilize, so you're not paying double to both parties?” -Puneet BrarAbout Becky Stealey: Becky Stealey is a Benefits Manager with over 15 years of experience designing, managing, and optimizing employee benefits programs. She has led major implementations of benefits systems, HR platforms, and portals to enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and employee experience, and serves on 401(k) plan committees to guide retirement strategy and fiduciary governance.About Puneet Brar: Puneet Brar is a Senior Benefits Partner at Weir, overseeing U.S. retirement, health, and welfare benefit programs. Working closely with the Retirement Plan Committee and external advisors, she manages 401(k) plan operations, fiduciary compliance, vendor relationships, regulatory audits, and strategic initiatives designed to optimize plan administration and improve employee retirement outcomes.Connect with Becky Stealey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-stealey-a99308109/ Connect with Puneet Brar:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puneet-brar-147012a/ Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: 940-248-4800Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.The opinions expressed by guests on the Be More Than a Fiduciary podcast are not necessarily the same as the opinions held by 90 North Consulting or by Executive Director Eric Dyson.