News and Media
Blake Willis Promoted to Chief Operating Officer February 6, 2020
Blake Willis Promoted to Chief Operating Officer Waco, Texas, February 6, 2020 – July Business Services (JULY) recently announced that Blake Willis has been promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With over 20 years of industry experience in all facets of retirement plan sales and operations, Blake’s new role will further enhance […]
JULY Honors Veterans November 11, 2019
In honor of Veterans Day, JULY proudly acknowledges the service and sacrifices of its employees and employee family members who have served our country within a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Following is a listing of those we celebrate and honor today. JULY Employees Name Branch of Service Details JULY Job Title Anabel Figueroa […]
JULY Announces PremierPath401k November 6, 2019
JULY Announces PremierPath401k – an Innovative Retirement Plan Solution for Small Businesses PremierPath401k leverages capabilities of Envestnet and BNY Mellon’s Pershing Waco, Texas, November 6, 2019 – July Business Services (JULY) has released a new streamlined retirement plan solution called PremierPath401k. The solution, custodied by BNY Mellon’s Pershing ("Pershing") Retirement Plan Network, includes a dynamic […]
JULY Announces Passport401k with IFP September 12, 2019
JULY Announces Passport401k with Independent Financial Partners – a Streamlined Retirement Plan Solution for Small Businesses Press Release Waco, Texas, September 12, 2019 – July Business Services (JULY) recently released a streamlined, easy-to-manage small business retirement plan solution called Passport401k, exclusively offered to clients of BNY Mellon’s Pershing ("Pershing"). JULY has partnered with Independent […]
JULY Announces Merger / Acquisition Transaction with Summit July 31, 2019
Waco, Texas, July 31, 2019 – July Business Services (JULY), an independently owned, national retirement plan recordkeeping and administration firm has entered into a merger and acquisition transaction with Summit Benefit Solutions, Inc. (Summit). Summit, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, provides high quality retirement plan recordkeeping, administration, and payroll services to small […]
JULY Announces Purchase of 401kDIRECT June 19, 2019
Waco, Texas, June 19, 2019 – July Business Services (JULY), an independently owned, national retirement plan recordkeeping and administration firm has entered into an agreement to acquire 401kDIRECT. Headquartered in Campbell, California, near San Jose, 401kDIRECT provides retirement plan recordkeeping services to small and mid-sized 401(k) plans. “Joining JULY will greatly benefit our clients, as […]
JULY Announces Launch401k January 10, 2019
JULY Announces Launch401k – An Innovative Retirement Plan Solution for Small Businesses Waco, Texas, January 10, 2019 – July Business Services (JULY) has released a new, innovative small business retirement plan solution called Launch401k. With 23% of all private sector, full-time US workers lacking access to a retirement plan1 and many small business owners reluctant […]
At JULY We Are Thankful November 16, 2018
We have a lot to be thankful for at JULY…family, friends, co-workers. We wish each of you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
JULY Honors Veterans November 11, 2018
In honor of Veterans Day, JULY proudly acknowledges the service and sacrifices of its employees and employee family members who have served our country within a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Student Loans Back in the Spotlight November 1, 2018
Student loan debt is having a negative impact on retirement savings and overall retirement readiness. Learn about the trend and the need to design 401(k) plan features to help offset the long-term savings deficit tied to repaying student loans.
401(k) Cyber-Security Heats Up June 11, 2018
This article addresses an increase in attempted fraud as well as recommendations to review and harden security practices.
Stadion’s StoryLine Managed Account Solution Available at JULY March 26, 2018
Stadion Money Management, known for its participant- level, customized retirement solutions, today announced that JULY, a leading national retirement plan provider, has added Stadion’s managed account solution, StoryLine, built with SPDR® ETFs, to its retirement platform.
JULY Announces Leadership Transition February 20, 2018
JULY recently announced that John Humphrey has been promoted to the role of President and CEO and will succeed Jim Hudson who is now stepping into the role of Board Chairman.
At JULY We are Thankful! November 21, 2017
We have a lot to be thankful for at JULY…family, friends, co-workers. We wish each of you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Changes in Employer Retirement Plan Contribution Deadlines June 6, 2017
Contribution deadline dates for many employers have changed. The chart below shows contribution deadlines for contributions paid in 2017.
JULY Earns Recognition from PLANSPONSOR March 31, 2017
The results of PLANSPONSOR’s 2017 Defined Benefit Administration Survey are out, and we are pleased to share that JULY has been ranked among the nation’s top providers of Cash Balance Plans and Defined Benefit Plans.
New Year, New Look for Participant Website! January 4, 2017
Online access to your account will be unavailable beginning Friday, January 13th at midnight and ending on Sunday, January 15th. When you log into your account you will notice an improved participant website!
JULY Honors Veterans November 11, 2016
In honor of Veterans Day, JULY proudly acknowledges the service and sacrifices of its employees and employee family members who have served our country within a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Attend the JULY Annual Advisor Conference September 22, 2016
JULY’s Annual National Advisor Conference
Learn from leading retirement industry experts
If you are a financial advisor interested in growing your business with 401(k) and other qualified retirement plans, please mark your calendar to attend this free event. On Thursday, September 22nd, JULY will be hosting a full-day event with national speakers sharing best practices and insight on how to grow your business in the competitive retirement/qualified plan industry.
Check Out Our New Cash Balance Calculator! September 12, 2016
Our new calculator estimates the amount a business owner in an owner-only business may contribute to a Cash Balance + 401(k) Combo Plan.
RL Worth & Associates LTD Honored by PLANSPONSOR April 6, 2016
Longstanding JULY client RL Worth & Associates LTD was recently recognized by PLANSPONSOR for their top-notch 401(k) plan.
JULY Welcomes Brian Kearney to National Sales Team January 13, 2016
Kearney brings 16 years of retirement industry experience to JULY’s advisors, TPAs and plan sponsors in the Northeast.
Advisors and TPAs: Join Our 2-Part Retirement Readiness Webinar Series November 23, 2015
Join our 2-part webinar series to learn about industry trends and best practices related to participant retirement readiness and ways you can further integrate this concept within your practice. Additionally, review the many comprehensive retirement readiness tools and resources that JULY makes available to you and your participants.
JULY Honors Veterans November 11, 2015
In honor of Veteran’s Day, JULY proudly acknowledges the service and sacrifices of its employees and employee family members who have served our country within a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
JULY Adds Scott Smith to National Sales Team October 28, 2015
Smith brings 16 years of retirement industry experience to JULY’s advisors, TPAs and plan sponsors in the Midwest.
Attend JULY’s Annual Advisor Event & Grow Your 401(k) Business August 28, 2015
If you are an advisor interested in growing your business with 401(k) and other qualified retirement plans, you will want to attend this free event. On Thursday, September 10th, JULY will host a full-day event with national speakers sharing best practices and insight on how to grow your business in the competitive retirement/qualified plan industry.
JULY Leverages Lean Process Improvement January 2, 2015
Efficient use of company resources is a challenge facing every industry. At JULY, we are meeting this challenge head on by implementing a Lean process improvement system across our organization. Unlike some process improvement systems, Lean focuses on improving the entire process from beginning to end rather than only one segment with a square focus on the client experience.
Keeping Up with the C-Corps
March 14, 2019
The New 20% Pass-Through / Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction May Offer Tax Relief for Your Small Business Client The Stage Initially, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 allowed for generous tax cuts for larger corporations but provided few incentives for the owners of smaller businesses (owners of Partnerships, S-Corporations, and Sole Proprietorships). […]
The New 20% Pass-Through / Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction Q & A
Why is this relevant? – The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in December 2017, includes a new deduction for owners of pass-through businesses. When a pass-through business adopts a retirement plan, contributions into that plan generally reduce the owner’s preliminary household taxable income. Depending on this income, and depending on the type of business, […]
New Proposed Regulation for Hardship Distributions
December 19, 2018
On November 14, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service published Proposed Regulations in the Federal Register changing the rules for Hardship Distributions from 401(k) and 403(b) plans. IRS is accepting comments and Requests for Public Hearing over a 60-day period through January 14, 2009. While these regulations are proposed and not final, some involved in this process have stated they do not anticipate major changes.
6 Reasons Payroll and 401(k) Should Be Integrated
August 14, 2018
A company whose 401(k) provider is integrated with their payroll vendor will save time, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. Read more in this brief article written by JULY’s CEO, John Humphrey.
New Federal Budget Law Impacts Retirement Plans
February 12, 2018
On Friday, Feb. 9, the President signed a two-year federal budget law which included several retirement plan related provisions.
Understanding What It Means To Be a Plan Fiduciary
December 13, 2017
Many activities involved in operating a qualified retirement plan may make the person or entity performing those activities a plan fiduciary. As a plan sponsor, it’s important for you and other fiduciaries of your plan to fully understand your responsibilities and the consequences of not fulfilling them.
Go from 401(k) Accommodator to 401(k) Dominator
November 18, 2017
Todd Jenkins, Executive VP of Acceleration Retirement, shares insight highlighting three powerful steps to help advisors thrive in the retirement plan marketplace.
2017 Retirement Plan Trends Snapshot
November 16, 2017
Learn what’s trending in the world of retirement plans today.
Direct from Capitol Hill: JULY’s Blake Willis Reports on the Recent ASPPA March
October 27, 2017
We are at a critical crossroad in our country with tax reform as there have been many proposals that could have potentially negative consequences for small-business retirement plans. JULY’s Blake Willis had the privilege to participate in the ASPPA March on Capitol Hill on October 24th. Click to read his first-hand report of his experiences in Washington DC.
Update: Revised Ruling Allows Forfeiture Balances to be Used for Safe Harbor Contributions
February 14, 2017
Last month the IRS released a revised (and many practitioners believe, a corrected) ruling that will allow plan sponsors to use balances being held in their forfeiture accounts to fund the employer’s required safe harbor contributions. This revised ruling is effective immediately.
Managing Your Plan to Minimize Top-Heavy Issues
January 10, 2017
Happy New Year! To start the year off right, we would like to share insights on how you can help your business-owner clients minimize pains associated with top-heavy issues. Because top-heavy required employer contributions to 401(k) plans can create budget challenges and may be a thorn in the side of some business owners, this article discusses creative ways to alleviate related frustrations, satisfy existing clients and gain new relationships along the way.
Use Testing Creatively as a Way to Grow Your Practice: Update Your Plan to Minimize Non-Discrimination Issues
December 14, 2016
This article points out ways you can encourage employers with 401(k) Plans to use you as a resource. Because 401(k) refunds required by testing can be annoying to business owners and other highly compensated employees, this article contains strategies a business owner could use to eliminate these required refunds. In the right fact pattern you can use this to attract business and to grow your 401(k) practice.
10 Attributes of Open Investment Architecture
October 27, 2016
10 Attributes of Open Investment Architecture
6 Reasons for Advisors to Convert SIMPLE IRAs to Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans
September 13, 2016
John M. Humphrey, COO
July Business Services
Many investment advisors recommend SIMPLE IRAs for their small business clientsbecause they are easy to establish, easy to maintain and inexpensive to administer. SIMPLE IRA plans allow businesses with no more than 100 employees to establish individual IRAs for each of their employees. Once the plan is established, each employee can elect up to $12,500 of salary deferrals into their account. Employees age 50 and older may defer an additional $3,000 catch-up contribution each year.
5 Reasons Advisors Should Learn about Cash Balance Plans
August 17, 2016
Learn key reasons to add Cash Balance Plans to your client service offering.
An Advisor’s Guide to Marketing Cash Balance Plans
July 18, 2016
This article offers insight into marketing and selling Cash Balance Plans.
How to Efficiently Offer SMAs in 401(k)s
March 18, 2016
John Humphrey, COO for JULY, recently shared insights on “How to Efficiently Offer SMAs in 401(k)s” with 401(k) Specialist Magazine.
Glass Half-Full: Prospecting Tips
June 9, 2015
Have you considered using the upcoming Plan Document restatement deadline (April 30, 2016) as an opportunity to shine with your existing clients as well as gain new retirement plan business?
Use Total Cost Analysis to Help Win Business
March 1, 2015
A significant change is taking place in the retirement plan industry that represents an opportunity for savvy advisors seeking to grow their retirement plan business. The structure of plan fees is changing and many employers need help analyzing and comparing what they are paying for their services. Total Cost Analysis is a way for advisors to help and win business in the process.
Total Cost Analysis in Action
February 20, 2015
Jeff Hutchens, owner and President of Hutchens Aviation Services, decided in 2011 to adopt a 401(k) plan for his company. Jeff’s goals for the plan were to receive tax deductions for employer contributions, increase the amount he was individually able to fund into a qualified plan, and provide a benefit to his 25 employees.
IRS Announces Final Cash Balance Regulations
January 2, 2015
The IRS published final cash balance regulations in the fall of 2014. This is a welcome development as the final regulations don’t differ significantly from the proposed regulations, meaning the IRS has established a level of comfort with cash balance plans. The final regulations bring clarity and certainty to the use of investment-based interest crediting rates. They also provide cash balance plan sponsors with some flexibility.
Encouraging Greater Plan Participation
October 29, 2019
If your work force includes employees who aren’t taking full advantage of your 401(k) retirement plan, you may want to look for ways to increase plan participation. Below, we answer some commonly asked questions. Why is it better to have more employees fully participating in a 401(k) plan? Increasing employee participation can help plans […]
Retirement Plan Considerations Following the Death of an Employee
July 5, 2018
The death of an employee is a stressful time for co-workers. In the midst of this, there are some important dates and retirement plan considerations to keep in mind.
Boost Participation in Your Plan in 2018
December 14, 2017
If your work force includes employees who aren’t taking full advantage of your 401(k) retirement plan, you may want to look for ways to increase plan participation.
Understanding What It Means To Be a Plan Fiduciary
December 3, 2016
Understanding What It Means To Be a Plan Fiduciary
Encouraging Greater Plan Participation
Encouraging Greater Plan Participation
Update Your Plan to Minimize Non-Discrimination Issues
November 28, 2016
Update Your Plan to Minimize Non-Discrimination Issues
Four Basics Participants Need To Know
August 16, 2016
We explore the importance of understanding four fundamental concepts related to saving for retirement.
Looking for Ways to Increase Participation in Your Company’s 401(k) Plan?
April 26, 2016
This article highlights several creative ways to increase participation in your company’s 401(k) plan. Read on to learn how you can help your employees be better prepared for retirement.
Employees Not Covered in My Plan
January 2, 2015
What should I do if I don’t wish to cover all employees in my plan? This article explains how an Employer may exclude some employees from a qualified retirement plan. In some situations, such exclusion may be desirable or appropriate for business or other reasons. This piece also answers some of the most frequently asked questions from Employers on this topic. While the IRS is strict about these cases, we want you to be informed on the subject and to know that JULY is on your side and is here to help.
Healthy Habits for Your 401(k)
March 20, 2019
You probably know how important it is to keep your body healthy. Habits like eating right, exercising, and taking vitamins will help you maintain your health. Did you also know that adopting some healthy financial habits can help you keep your retirement planning in good shape? Measure Performance Regularly At least once a year, […]
Now is the Time for a 401(k) Checkup!
December 2, 2018
Before the pace picks up, spend some quality time with your 401(k). Read this article to learn more.
Approaching Retirement? Time to Learn About RMDs
October 18, 2018
Approaching Retirement? Time to Learn About RMDs
Can You Contribute More?
March 30, 2018
Have you thought about your retirement plan contributions lately? If your contribution is automatically deducted from your paycheck, you might not think about it too often.
Promises To Keep — Financial Resolutions for the New Year
December 28, 2017
Every new year holds out the promise of new possibilities. That’s why now is a good time to examine your financial situation and make sure you’re on track to a comfortable retirement.
Oh the Things You Might Find
September 29, 2017
You never know what you might find when you start exploring places you generally ignore…
Climbing Mt. Retirement
June 30, 2017
Mountain climbers rely on their equipment and supplies. But to reach a summit, they also need perseverance — the commitment to stay with the climb despite the difficulties. You’re in a similar situation as you look ahead to your eventual retirement.
Elect e-delivery / Enter to win a hammock!
June 22, 2017
Electing e-delivery for your quarterly retirement plan statements is a smart way to go.
Spring Cleaning Time
March 31, 2017
After the long winter, spring is a good time to wash windows, clean your closets, and generally get your home in order. The same can be said for your retirement investments.
Get Your Retirement Account in Shape
December 12, 2016
Get Your Retirement Account in Shape
It Takes Two
September 27, 2016
If you’re married and planning for retirement, you’re in good company. According to a recent survey,* more than half (56%) of married workers have calculated how much money they will need to accumulate for retirement. But just because you and your spouse are planning for retirement doesn’t mean there’s nothing more for you to do. If you are both participating in employer-provided plans, you need to coordinate your plan investments to make sure they reflect your long-term strategy.
Your Retirement — Planning for a 30-year Adventure
What if you knew you were going to spend several years exploring the Far East? Wouldn’t you think about how much money you’d need and start saving as soon as possible so you would have enough to cover your expenses on the trip? If you think about it, your retirement is a lot like a long adventure. So saving for it shouldn’t be any different from saving for an extended trip. But one of the biggest mistakes people make (maybe even you?) is to put off saving for retirement. Time is a critical factor in building your nest egg. By delaying your contributions, you could be missing out on years of potential growth.
Survival Tips for a Rocky Market
June 29, 2016
Following is a helpful article on survival tips for a rocky market.
From Daydreaming to Dream Come True
March 30, 2016
Have you ever fantasized about inheriting a bundle of money or winning the lottery? Who hasn’t?
JULY Offers a Cost-effective and Efficient Staffing Solution for TPAs
August 25, 2017
We understand looming deadlines and seasonal demands that TPAs face every year. Since 2008, we have had the privilege to leverage our wholly-owned overseas back-office to support and strengthen every department within our organization.
6 Reasons TPAs Should Consider BPO Services
November 14, 2016
JULY’s COO shares first-hand perspective on business process outsourcing for TPAs.