We all know it’s important to plan for retirement. But not all of us know how to do it — and many of us who do, don’t always have access to secure retirement planning.

The NBA playoffs are upon us — when the best of the best face off against each other. Even if you don’t know a thing about basketball, you’ve heard some of their names: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, James Harden. But these games aren’t one-on-one. They’re team efforts, and every player has a specific role to play. You have your point guard; your power forward; your shooting guard; your small forward; and your center. Each one has different strengths. Each has different weaknesses, too. 

You don’t have to know what they all do. All you need to know is that you wouldn’t build a lineup of five point guards any more than you would use a lawnmower to trim your hedges, or a chainsaw to cut your grass. Five people playing the same position won’t win any games; neither will one star player on the court all by his lonesome.

 The same principles apply to servicing a 401(k) plan. It takes a team: the plan sponsor, recordkeepers, CPAs, advisors… and a TPA. As an advisor, you may be a wizard when it comes to focusing a plan’s investments. You may be able to maximize participant outcomes in your sleep. But just like an all-star forward, even the best advisor can’t be everywhere at once. Plan design, compliance, and administration are specialties all their own. You need someone who can set you up with an assist. You need a TPA.