The Future of Data Sharing & Technology in the Retirement Planning Industry

Technology is reshaping the retirement plan industry, and at the center of it all lies data. How does data move, who is responsible for oversight, how much manual data manipulation needs to be in place, how can we protect client data… it’s all about data.… Read More

Platform Dependency Risk in Retirement Plans: What Happens When Your Recordkeeper Controls the Roadmap

The defined contribution ecosystem is larger and more interconnected than ever. Recordkeepers, payroll providers, advisors, Retirement Plan Consultants (RPCs), DCIOs, and technology vendors all operate inside a system that now exceeds $12 trillion in assets. At that scale, infrastructure decisions are no longer operational footnotes.… Read More

Press Release: The Asteri Collective Expands National Footprint with New Member Firms

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the asteri collective featured image with logo
The Asteri Collective, a national alliance of independent Retirement Plan Consulting firms, announces the addition of four new member firms, continuing its rapid expansion and strengthening its influence across the retirement plan ecosystem. Building on the momentum outlined in its January announcement , the Collective continues to attract firms aligned around innovation, collaboration, and the highest caliber of plan design.… Read More

TPA vs Retirement Plan Consultant: What’s the Difference?

In the retirement industry, the term TPA, short for Third Party Administrator, gets tossed around a lot. It’s the industry standard. But for those of us who live and breathe plan design, compliance, and strategy, the title doesn’t go far enough.… Read More

$10 Trillion and Counting: What the Dominance of Single-Employer 401(k) Plans Means for Advisors and Business Owners

According to recent industry data, U.S. defined contribution plans now hold nearly $14 trillion in assets, with approximately $10 trillion in 401(k) plans alone. The majority of those assets remain in single-employer plans. This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a signal.… Read More

Why Anthony Warren Joined The Asteri Collective

Why Anthony Warren Joined The Asteri Collective
A perspective on contribution, collaboration, and the future of the retirement industry The retirement plan industry is evolving. Sustainable growth is no longer driven by isolated competition or firm-by-firm scale. It is increasingly shaped by collaboration, alignment, and shared outcomes across the ecosystem.… Read More

How Wages Determine Roth Catch-Up Contributions in 2026

What Multi-Entity Employers Need to Know Beginning in 2026, the SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up requirement becomes operational. For many employers, the rule itself is familiar. The operational coordination it requires is what elevates the conversation. On paper, the mandate is straightforward.… Read More

Retirement Plan Consultancy Practice Management: A Practical Guide for TPA/ RPCs in 2026

Retirement Plan Consultancy Practice Management: A Practical Guide for TPA/ RPCs in 2026
It’s 2026, and the term “Third Party Administrator” no longer fully reflects the reality of the work. Members of The Asteri Collective identify as Retirement Plan Consultants (RPCs) because their role extends far beyond administration. Today’s RPCs advise on plan design, interpret regulatory change, navigate payroll and data dependencies, and coordinate across recordkeepers, advisors, DCIOs, broker-dealers and other technology solutions partners.… Read More

Recordkeeping Industry 2025–2026: Key Trends and The Asteri Collective Impact

Build your book of business with the best plan design and support in the industry. We support your advisor relationships with expert guidance and responsive support that makes it easier for them to do what they do best. Asteri Collective members bring technical expertise so your advisors stay in control, your plans stay clean, and your business keeps scaling.
The defined contribution ecosystem has reached a structural inflection point. Total DC assets now exceed $12 trillion across more than 120 million participant accounts, reflecting the full retirement system spanning bundled, unbundled, advisory, and institutional channels. Within that broader universe, the DCIO segment represents approximately $11.3 trillion across roughly 730,000 plans and 85 million participants, a critical distinction that underscores both scale and specialization.… Read More

Clean Data, Shared Standards, Real Outcomes: Recordkeepers and RPCs Collaborating for Better Outcomes

Clean Data, Shared Standards, Real Outcomes: Recordkeepers and RPCs Collaborating for Better Outcomes
Data integration matters. That much is no longer up for debate. The more important question facing the retirement industry now is how data is shared, who sets the standards, and which partners are capable of executing consistently at scale. Clean data is not a technical preference.… Read More