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Want to Differentiate Yourself as an Advisor? Measure and Master the KPIs That Matter

Written by PlanFees | Jul 14, 2025 5:24:23 PM

As a retirement plan advisor, your value isn’t measured by your credentials — it’s measured by outcomes. And for plan sponsors, those outcomes are tracked with key performance indicators (KPIs). These metrics reveal the extent to which employees are becoming retirement-ready and whether the plan itself is competitive, efficient, and well-governed.

That’s where you come in — and where PlanFees, powered by RPAG, can help you distinguish yourself.

PlanFees makes it easy to surface, track, and improve the KPIs that plan sponsors care about most. Here are just a few key indicators you can monitor and assess.

Participation and contribution behaviors. These data points can reflect how well a plan is connecting with participants. Low engagement may signal that employees either don’t understand the benefit’s value (or availability) or face barriers to saving, making this a critical area for deeper analysis and targeted improvement. Specific measures can include: 

  • Participation rate (overall, and by other factors such as age, tenure, and income).
  • Average deferral rates.
  • Percentage of participants contributing enough to receive any match/the full employer match.
  • Percentage of employees increasing deferral rates annually.
  • Participant satisfaction with the plan.

Retirement readiness and outcomes. These types of metrics offer a window into whether participants are truly on track — not simply enrolled. Looking at balances alone can mask shortfalls in savings trajectories, retirement age expectations, or income replacement needs. A deeper look at outcomes can help sponsors move beyond surface-level analytics to assess whether the plan is delivering meaningful retirement security. Key indicators can include: 

  • Retirement readiness (e.g., estimated income replacement ratio).
  • Average/median account balance (though this may more reflect time enrolled in the plan vs. readiness and could be misleading if not viewed alongside other indicators).
  • Average personalized participant returns vs. QDIA benchmarks.
  • Plan leakage (e.g., loans, withdrawals).

Cost & fee transparency. While fees need to remain reasonable, obtaining the lowest fees possible shouldn’t necessarily be the goal of every plan. Rather, plans should pay reasonable fees that reflect the level and type of services appropriate to the plan. KPIs in this category can help reveal whether a plan is striking the right balance:

  • Total plan costs compared to benchmarks.
  • Average investment, recordkeeping, and administrative fees compared with similar plans assessed with Prism Total Fees Benchmarking
  • Average advisor fees for services (and delivery frequency) measured via Prism365 Advisor Fee and Service Benchmarking.

Compliance & governance. Robust governance frameworks do more than check regulatory boxes. When oversight is intentional and well-documented, it can not only help reduce fiduciary exposure but also create a record of prudent decision-making. Some KPIs that provide insight in this area include: 

  • Number of operational or plan administration errors.
  • Timeliness of deferral deposits.
  • Fee benchmarking and RFP frequency

It’s What You Do With Data That Counts

Tracking KPIs is only the first step when improvement is the goal. RPAG and PlanFees equips advisors with benchmarking reports and analytics that help turn data into informed decisions that can improve plan outcomes. Whether you’re identifying overpriced funds and adjusting your investment menu, documenting fiduciary decision making, or benchmarking recordkeepers and seeking out lower cost options, having access to powerful tools backed by accurate data empowers you to proactively improve plan performance.

The result? A more efficient plan, better participant outcomes, and a stronger advisor-sponsor relationship. KPIs aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet; they’re an opportunity to prove your value and guide meaningful change. Let PlanFees help you measure what matters most, and show plan sponsors that you’re more than a provider — you’re a strategic partner in their success.

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