Disciplined Consulting for Defined Benefit Plans

Wealthspire brings strategic consulting to pension and cash balance plans, covering asset allocation, liability-driven investing, funding analysis, and de-risking strategies for plan sponsors.

Pension Plans: A Trusted Partner Through Every Phase

Whether you seek investment strategies to narrow a funding gap, lower contribution volatility or support with de-risking and other liability-driven investing (LDI) strategies, we have the knowledge to tailor an investment plan for your unique goals. Wealthspire Institutional is also experienced in guiding sponsors through the complexities of planning, coordination and execution of a full pension risk-transfer experience. As a trusted advisor, we stand ready to guide plan sponsors through the complexities within each phase of the pension lifecycle.

Cash Balance Plans:
A Second Tax-Deferred Vehicle

For partners at law firms, physicians, and other professional service organizations, a cash balance plan provides a powerful second tax-deferred savings vehicle, employer-sponsored and built for significant contributions.

We have extensive experience establishing, managing, and optimizing these plans for professional services organizations, bringing the same rigor to cash balance work that we bring to traditional pension consulting.

Whether you seek investment strategies to narrow a funding gap, lower contribution volatility or support with de-risking and other liability-driven investing (LDI) strategies, we have the knowledge to tailor an investment plan for your unique goals. Wealthspire Institutional is also experienced in guiding sponsors through the complexities of planning, coordination and execution of a full pension risk-transfer experience. As a trusted advisor, we stand ready to guide plan sponsors through the complexities within each phase of the pension lifecycle.

We provide tailored solutions for sponsors to evaluate, implement and manage cash balance plans as part of a broader retirement strategy, balancing workforce objectives, funding considerations and long-term plan sustainability. As one of the fastest-growing defined benefit plan designs, cash balance plans can offer meaningful retirement benefits while providing flexibility for employers and participants alike.

We help public sector organizations manage pension and OPEB programs through investment consulting, funding analysis and long-term strategy development designed to support benefit obligations and financial sustainability.

We provide investment consulting and fiduciary guidance for multiemployer pension plans, helping trustees navigate funding, governance and investment decisions while supporting the long-term sustainability of plan benefits.

Our team provides guidance on pension risk transfer opportunities that can help sponsors manage liabilities, reduce risk and advance long-term plan objectives.

Cash Balance Plans

What We Offer

Our defined benefit plan services include: 

  • Fiduciary Governance Program 
  • Fiduciary/Committee Training and Education
  • Investment Policy Statement Development/Review
  • Asset Allocation Analysis 
  • Glidepath Development/Monitoring 
  • Asset/Liability Modeling
  • Cash Balance Strategies
  • 415 Limit Monitoring for Cash Balance Plans
  • Investment Manager/Fund Search and Selection
  • Portfolio Rebalancing
  • Performance Measurement and Reporting
  • Custodian/Trustee Search/Selection
  • Plan Termination Services
  • 3(21) or OCIO/3(38) Discretionary Services

Ready to Strengthen Your Plan?

Whether you are managing a traditional pension, exploring a cash balance plan, or navigating a Taft-Hartley or public plan, our advisors bring the depth to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

A cash balance plan is a defined benefit plan that functions as a second tax-deferred savings vehicle. It's particularly valuable for law firms, medical practices, and other professional services organizations where partners and physicians have already maxed out their 401(k) contributions and want to shelter significantly more income on a tax-deferred basis each year.
Yes. We advise on de-risking strategies for both active and frozen plans, helping organizations manage their path toward full funding or plan termination.
Yes. We maintain a dedicated Taft-Hartley practice and work with public and municipal plans alongside traditional corporate defined benefit clients.

Yes.  We act as a co-fiduciary partner on every defined benefit plan we advise.