RAISING THE BAR ON RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS By Karen Timmins, Senior Vice President, Human Resources
It’s no easy task for employers to find a retirement savings plan provider that brings together the triple benefit of cost savings, compliance support and white- glove service. But that’s exactly what Western Growers Financial Services (WGFS) sets out to deliver. With its Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), WGFS offers a streamlined approach to retirement planning that competitors struggle to match: a single retirement plan with pooled resources that lightens the load of administrative burdens while providing meaningful value to both employers and employees. You’ll be hard-pressed to find the same combination of benefits and services as WGFS. At the heart of WGFS’s retirement offerings comes our high-touch approach. Employers and employees alike benefit from our tailored guidance and experienced experts who understand the nuances of plan management. To make things simple and accessible, we hold open enrollment and educational meetings in both Spanish and English, so every participant can get the support they need. Our staff will even travel directly to employer locations for enrollment sessions at no additional cost. And while retirement plan regulations can seem intimidating, our team is ready to assist you in understanding the rules to keep compliant with IRS Code 404C. We provide fiduciary protection to employers by offering a broad range of investment options while giving employees control over their investments. Employers with more than 100 participants are often faced with costly audit requirements, but WGFS eliminates that expense in several ways. WGFS saves employers with the expense of an independent auditing firm’s fee, which could result in as much as $20,000 a year in savings. You can also take comfort in knowing all fees are market-leading at rates that are nearly unheard of in the retirement plan industry. Plan participants also get the benefit of consolidated audits and a single Form 5500 filing. Since all employer plans in the MEP are housed under one plan, Western Growers Family of Companies (WGFC) does the filing at no additional cost. This means employers can have the opportunity to channel more resources into their business. Another area that sets WGFS apart from its competitors is its transparency and cost structure. WGFS maintains a record of all decisions that impact the plan’s management, which includes the various investment manager presentations. Members are also invited to observe one or more of the annual
Advisory Committee meetings, further reinforcing fiduciary confidence. Plan documents are IRS-approved and provided by Northwest Plan Services (NWPS), a Raymond James Company. For employers evaluating retirement plan offerings, consider reviewing the fees your current provider charges. You’ll find our rates are unmatched and our options more comprehensive. And beyond 401(k) plans, WGFS manages a range of retirement plan options, including 457b and 409A, to align with each employer’s strategic objectives. WGFS also ensures participants have convenient access to the necessary tools they need. They’ll gain access to a dedicated, user-friendly website specifically created for WGFS, complete with a dedicated call center team.
"Behind every successful product is a team of dedicated professionals."
It Takes a Village Behind every successful product is a team of dedicated professionals. The WGFS MEP is overseen by the Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) Board of Trustees, folks dedicated to ensuring proper oversight and compliance for which I owe a debt of gratitude: Mitch Ardantz, Bonipak; J.P. LaBrusherie, LaBrucherie Produce; Todd Talley, Talley Farms; Jon Alexander, WGFC; Melinda Dougherty, CFO, Hadley Date; Kate Elmore McCutcheon, Vail Farms; Gary Burk; and Steve Mangapit, COO, WGFC. More gratitude extends to Matt Lewis, Vice President Investments, WGFS; Dave Puglia, President and CEO, WGFC; Ward Kennedy, CFO, WGFC; Jason Resnick, Senior VP and General Counsel, Secretary to RSP; Grant Flannigan, Financial Planner; Lori Duquette, Investment Compliance Officer; and Silvia Aviles, Financial Operations Principal. The work and collaboration of WGFS continues to be guided by our mission: to create and preserve financial security for you, your family, your business and your employees. To learn more about how our RSP can support your goals, contact Matt Lewis, Vice President of Investments at mlewis@wga.com.
14 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com November | December 2025
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