For retirement plan administrators, mergers aren’t just strategic decisions—they’re high-stakes transitions that can disrupt operations, strain teams, and jeopardize client relationships. The pressure to get it right is immense.
Why this matters now
The retirement plan administration space is undergoing a historic wave of consolidation, driven by fee compression, demographic shifts, and evolving client expectations. Several key statistics highlight just how rapidly the landscape is changing:
- The TPA market is entering a “grow or be acquired” era, with over 300 insurance-related M&A transactions totaling $20 billion announced in the second half of 2024. TPAs are increasingly targeted by private equity firms due to their scalable service models and acquisition-driven growth strategies (Insurance Leadership, 2024).
- Fee compression is reshaping the economics of retirement plan administration. Between 2013 and 2023, DC system revenues grew from $28 billion to $39 billion, but recordkeeping fees have declined significantly, forcing providers to seek alternative revenue streams such as wealth management and financial advice (McKinsey, 2023 Source: McKinsey – The US Retirement Industry).
- The SECURE 2.0 Act, effective in 2025, introduces over 90 provisions that impact plan administration, including mandatory automatic enrollment, higher catch-up contributions, and emergency savings accounts. These changes require TPAs to update systems, retrain staff, and ensure compliance with new rules (Congressional Research Service, 2025).
- Litigation risk is increasing. Excessive fee lawsuits under ERISA have surged by 53% between 2017 and 2021, with settlements driving systemic changes in plan administration. A mere 1% increase in fees can reduce retirement savings by up to 28% over a 35-year career (Center for Retirement Research, Boston College; Source: Center for Retirement Research – A Resurgence of 401(k) Plan Litigation).
In this environment, TPAs are under pressure to execute transitions flawlessly—whether merging firms, converting plans, or onboarding new clients. The margin for error is razor-thin, and the need for reliable, scalable support has never been greater.
As firms race to integrate systems, preserve data, and maintain compliance, ftwilliam.com offers a suite of services designed to make these transitions seamless and stress-free.
1. Dedicated merger specialist for every firm
Each TPA undergoing a merger is assigned a dedicated account merge specialist by ftwilliam.com who:
- Collects company account credentials and user permissions
- Performs the merge on a backup server first for easy rollback
- Schedules final merge after hours to minimize disruption
- Ensures all plans, settings, users, permissions, and history are unified
Why it matters: Expert oversight and rollback capability reduce risk and anxiety.
Pain point addressed: Fear of losing historical data—a top concern during plan integrations.
2. Conversion specialists for every plan type
Whether converting plan documents, DC compliance, or DB compliance, ftwilliam.com assigns a specialist/project manager who:
- Explains the process
- Retrieves necessary files
- Guides your team through each step
Why it matters: You're supported by someone who knows the terrain and can lead you through it.
Pain points addressed:
- Compliance risks during transitions
- Complexity of merging permissions and user roles
3. Simplified plan document conversions
ftwilliam.com handles the entire upload process for plan document conversions—your plans are ready when you log in.
Why it matters: Saves time and reduces stress, allowing TPAs to focus on client service and growth.
Industry insight: Document conversion is a key pain point during mergers. ftwilliam.com's automated upload and checklist features streamline this process, reducing manual errors.
4. Custom mapping for any vendor
ftwilliam.com supports all major vendors when needed, especially during restatement cycles.
Why it matters: No matter your starting point, we'll get your plans where they need to be.
Industry insight: Vendor diversity and legacy systems are major hurdles in TPA consolidation. Custom mapping ensures continuity and compliance.
5. Collaborative review periods
Before anything goes live, ftwilliam.com provides time for review and refinement. You’ll work directly with specialists to ensure precision.
Why it matters: You stay in control and can move forward with confidence.
Industry insight: Regular review periods are a best practice in many sectors. They help catch errors early, maintain compliance, and ensure that final outputs align with strategic goals.
6. Constant evolution and improvement
ftwilliam.com continuously updates its tools based on client feedback and regulatory changes. Each cycle brings improvements that make transitions smoother.
Why it matters:You benefit from a platform that's always getting better.
Industry insight: With SECURE 2.0 reshaping plan design and administration, platforms must evolve to stay compliant and competitive.
7. Responsive, dedicated support staff
From onboarding to troubleshooting, ftwilliam.com’s support team is ready to help TPAs through every stage of the transition and with an impressive NPS score of 64, customers clearly agree.
Why it matters: You're never alone. We're invested in helping you thrive.
Industry insight: In a fragmented TPA market, service quality is a key differentiator. Firms that offer responsive support are more likely to retain clients during transitions.
Turning complexity into confidence
In a market defined by consolidation, fee pressure, regulatory change, and rising client expectations, TPAs need tools that reduce friction and support growth. The fear of losing data, misconfiguring permissions, or falling out of compliance is real—and the margin for error is razor-thin.
ftwilliam.com removes the friction. We turn what feels like a mountain into a manageable process—so you can focus on growth, not glitches.
Big transitions or everyday tasks—we’re here for it all. Connect with ftwilliam.com and discover what a true partner in plan administration looks like.
