Lou Ritchie

About Lou Ritchie

Over the past 30 years, I have immersed myself in all aspects of the retirement plan business, including 401(k), 403(b), and pension plan design. I have been recognized by many in the retirement plan industry as an innovator on the practice management and marketing support side for DC plan sponsors and retirement plan advisors. Perhaps my most significant contribution to the retirement industry is my latest. Working closely with Barry Levy, President, Levy & Associates we created ForceManager 5500 (FM5500). FM5500, designed for both 401(k) advisors and TPAs, is the first product to embed robust plan data inside an easy-to-use CRM. A few benefits FM5500 provides advisors: • First of it’s a kind combination of a mobile APP/CRM with preloaded 5500 prospecting data • Amazing Apple-designed, smart, and intuitive mobile-driven technology • Plan data is updated monthly so you will also have access to the most recent data • Quickly see the plans around you with the geo-located map feature • Segment and analyze plan sponsors using the detailed in-App 5500 plan data & reports to build a smarter prospect list • Plan Warnings – easy to identify potential plan issues, this is how you can add value as an advisor A few benefits FM5500 provides TPAs: • Plan data and advisor’s data in one system • Prospect pipeline tool including various sales report and lead tracking functionality • Quickly see the plans and advisors around you with the geo-located map feature • Robust plan data - Smart and intuitive prospecting tool that comes pre-populated with 5500 data and plan reports • Plan data is updated monthly so you will also have access to the most recent data • MailChimp Integration - out of the box integration with MailChimp allows you to drip feed/email campaigns to advisors and Centers of Influence GWN Disclosure: Securities and Registered Investment Advisory Services through GWN Securities, Inc. Opinions and comments expressed by Social Media Members are those of the persons submitting them and do not necessarily represent the views of the creator of this profile or their firm. GWN Securities will not accept purchase or sale orders via Social Media platforms or its messaging systems. Please follow this link for a complete version of GWN Securities Social Media Policy: https://gwnsecurities.com/socialmedia

Experience

1. Partner

   Levy & Associates

   Jun 2017 — Present · West Palm Beach, FL, US

   As a Partner at Levy & Associates I work collaboratively with the firm’s President, Barry Levy, to deliver consulting and third-party administration (TPA) services for qualified retirement plans. Leveraging Barry’s extensive contacts and industry knowledge as a former President and of ASPPA’s (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries) and their Executive Committee, provides us access to considerable educational products and services and up-to-the-minute access to legislative developments in ERISA laws and IRS and DOL regulations that could affect plan participants, plan sponsors or plan advisors.As a TPA, Levy & Associates works closely with the plan advisor and plan sponsor with the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of their plan. Levy and Associates are responsible for delivering administrative responsibilities in the following areas:A partial list of our administrative responsibilities includes:• Consultation on initial plan design, customization, and installation• Preparation of Summary Plan Description for participants and beneficiaries• Monitoring compliance with plan rules and federal regulations• Discrimination testing and audit support• Compliance filing (Form 5500, Safe Harbor notices, Form 1099-R)• Generation of annual participant census in concert with the Employer• Day-to-day employee communication, loans, hardships, distributions, etc.

Education

• University of South Florida

  Bachelor of Science - BS

  1986 — 1990