Integrating PensionEase will give employers and their employees who have Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit plans a more seamless customer experience

Radnor, PA (February 13, 2023) — Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) and BPAS today announced a strategic partnership to deliver an integrated defined benefit (DB) plan solution, PensionEase, to its defined contribution (DC) clients who also sponsor a DB plan. Through this partnership, BPAS will provide Lincoln Financial clients with full DB administration, including record-keeping, a customized web portal and participant-direct services, creating a more seamless customer experience for plan sponsors and their participants who have both DB and DC plans.

“Lincoln Financial is committed to providing our plan sponsors and participants with comprehensive solutions and services that meet their evolving needs, while delivering a superior customer experience,” said Matt Condos, senior vice president, Retirement Plan Services Product, Lincoln Financial Group. “This partnership builds on the flexible, easy-to-use solutions that both firms offer to administer retirement plans, as we work to help Americans along every step of their retirement journey.”

The partnership enhances the services available to Lincoln Financial clients who have both DC and DB plans, with additional actuarial, consulting, trust/custody and benefit payer solutions, while leveraging a single sign-on solution across plans. It will deliver fully integrated DC and DB services to more than 45,000 participants in plans currently served by Lincoln Financial.

“We are honored to be selected by Lincoln as the partner to offer our benefit administration solution, PensionEase, to their plan sponsors with Defined Benefit plans,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “From our previous experience working with Lincoln on investment and stable value needs over the past five years, we have been very impressed by their expertise and are excited to continue partnering with them in the coming years to provide additional value to their clients.”

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help people take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, approximately 16 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, and guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $282 billion in end-of-period account values as of December 31, 2022. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good and ranks among Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies. Dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, we are included on transparency benchmarking tools such as the Corporate Equality Index, the Disability Equality Index and the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. Committed to providing our employees with flexible work arrangements, we were named to FlexJobs’ list of the Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2022. With a long and rich legacy of acting ethically, telling the truth and speaking up for what is right, Lincoln was recognized as one of Ethisphere’s 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies^®. We create opportunities for early career talent through our intern development program, which ranks among WayUp and Yello’s annual list of Top 100 Internship Programs. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

About BPAS

BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and institutional trust services. We make it our mission to simplify the complicated by delivering benefit-plan services that solve client challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call. We support 4,500 retirement plans, $110 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 620,000 participants.

The BPAS family of services includes: Workplace Retirement Plans, Actuarial & Pension, Healthcare Consulting, IRA, VEBA HRA, Health & Welfare Plans, Fiduciary, Collective Investment Funds, Fund Administration, and Institutional Trust.

Specialty practices include: Auto Enrollment Plans, Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans, Plans with Employer Securities, Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans, VEBA HRA Plans, Cash Balance Plans, Collective Investment Trusts, and Fund Administration.

BPAS subsidiaries include: BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Global Trust Company, Hand Benefits & Trust, and NRS Trust Product Administration.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.

Syracuse, NY (January 30, 2023) — BPAS, a leading national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts, has promoted Jason Disco to Senior Vice President of Sales for its Actuarial & Pension Services (APS).

Since joining BPAS in 2015, Jason has secured key partnerships to help expand the BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services footprint across the nation. In addition to his strong leadership skills and strategic thinking, he brings a keen understanding of integrated Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) solutions.

“BPAS brings a unique ability to seamlessly combine DC and DB plans under one roof for plan sponsors,” said Disco. “The combined services offer great advantages to business owners of all sizes looking to reduce taxable liability and save for retirement. I’m excited to use my knowledge and experience with both of these products to expand BPAS services to plan sponsors and financial partners across the nation.”

Disco also said that whether it is a small tax-deferral-driven plan or a large corporate pension plan, BPAS has solutions for plan sponsors and participants of all sizes. “I’ll be working closely with our team of Regional Sales Directors and Relationship Managers to bring the full range of DB engagements to employers and financial intermediaries to ultimately help grow their retirement plan practices,” he added.

Among his many accomplishments at BPAS, Disco recently stewarded a relationship with key partners at Lincoln Financial Group that led to an exclusive BPAS partnership for their Defined Benefit Outsourcing (DBO) solution.

“Jason’s leadership has been a driving force in expanding the BPAS national brand across a competitive DB landscape,” said Vince Spina, President of BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services. “Partnering with Lincoln Financial is a perfect example of how Jason is a respected leader, not only within the BPAS walls, but in the industry as a whole.”

Disco was also instrumental in developing the BPAS DB360 product, which is a unique way to offer DB solutions to clients of all sizes. It also offered an opportunity to introduce the full range of products and services available through BPAS and its parent company, Community Bank System, Inc.

“Jason pointed out that the DB industry has a lot of fractional solutions,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “One firm might be managing assets, another servicing as actuary, a third firm providing pension payments and custodial functions, and perhaps a web portal service. Jason’s idea was to provide an option where it could all be available under one roof, or where our partner would provide fiduciary and/or asset management services and BPAS would handle the remaining roles. In an age where employers are craving accountability and simplicity, this concept has really resonated. We hope to sell a lot more of it in the coming years.”

Disco will work out of the company’s office in Syracuse, NY and serve clients nationwide.

About BPAS

BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and institutional trust services. We make it our mission to simplify the complicated by delivering benefit-plan services that solve client challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call. We support 4,500 retirement plans, $110 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 620,000 participants.

The BPAS family of services includes: Workplace Retirement Plans, Actuarial & Pension, Healthcare Consulting, IRA, VEBA HRA, Health & Welfare Plans, Fiduciary, Collective Investment Funds, Fund Administration, and Institutional Trust.

Specialty practices include: Auto Enrollment Plans, Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans, Plans with Employer Securities, Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans, VEBA HRA Plans, Cash Balance Plans, Collective Investment Trusts, and Fund Administration.

BPAS subsidiaries include: BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Global Trust Company, Hand Benefits & Trust, and NRS Trust Product Administration.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.

Utica, NY (July 19, 2022) — BPAS, a leading national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts has released version 2.0 of its Roadways Mile Marker financial planning tool for retirement plan participants.
The interactive Roadways Mile Marker 2.0, a key feature in the new BPAS Participant Portal introduced earlier this month, uses wizard technology with real-time updates and projections that go beyond retirement savings to present a bigger picture of each participant’s overall financial health.

“The new Roadways Mile Marker is unique, user friendly, engaging, and easy to see results with just a few inputs so participants have time to take action to shape their financial journey through various life and career stages,” said Elizabeth Kaido, SVP of BPAS Sales & Relationship Management.

“We knew we needed a tool that would paint a full picture of participants’ overall financial health,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “In developing the new Roadways Mile Marker, we focused on one key question: How can we create a tool that paints a reasonably accurate picture of financial health in a manageable about of time for the participant? It needed to look at compensation, savings rates, retirement plan balances, outside assets, home equity, and total debt, so participants have time to take steps to shape the rest of their retirement journey.”

BPAS assembled a team of experts from its key service areas including its fully credentialed actuarial team. One actuary, Peter Faber, led the charge with the mission of developing a user-friendly tool that’s actuarially sound and unique to the industry. Faber found that most participant experiences using retirement planning platforms over the years fell into two camps: those focused on retirement projections, and those offering a holistic gap analysis including personal assets, liabilities and other inputs.

“Too often, models like this end up being an over-engineered mess that are more useful for programmers than participants,” said Faber. “This project was captivating because accessibility and accuracy were both paramount from the beginning. Retirement planning tools don’t mean much if they’re not accessible. I am truly proud we were able to develop a cross-generational tool for employees at any stage of their career and in any financial situation – one they can revisit often to shape their journey along the way.”

Kaido agrees. “While there are a lot of interesting concepts out there, we thought that most of the tools missed the mark. There are participants who want an easy calculation with only a few inputs. There are also those willing to invest in a deep dive to produce something more accurate and holistic. After brainstorming with our actuaries, we were able to create a tool to accomplish both goals.”

“Sure, there are financial planning tools a participant can buy for $50 or $100 that are quite powerful,” added Neveu. “They’re pretty complicated and can take hours to populate. We designed the Roadways Mile Marker to bring a valuable tool to the masses at no charge – giving BPAS participants a meaningful perspective with a 15-minute investment of time and the ability to update it regularly.”
“We’re very proud of what Peter, Liz, and the BPAS team built,” said Vince Spina, President of BPAS Actuarial & Pension Services. “The result is a manifestation of our BPAS cultural pillars: deep subject area expertise and a focus on meeting the real-life needs of participants. The Roadways Mile Marker, approved and tested by our team of more than 30 credentialed actuaries, will benefit hundreds of thousands of BPAS participants across numerous account types. Most importantly, it will help get them on the road to financial security.”

A final advantage of the new Roadways Mile Marker is that it allows Advisors and Corporate Trustees to meet with participants and use the tool on-demand as part of ongoing planning exercises. Both parties are able to control the inputs and assumptions to see how the participant is doing, identify gaps, and set a strategy to close them.

To learn more about the BPAS Mile Marker or to schedule a demo, contact your BPAS representative.

About BPAS
BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and institutional trust services. We make it our mission to simplify the complicated by delivering benefit-plan services that solve client challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call. We support 4,200 retirement plans, $110 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 510,000 participants.

The BPAS family of services includes: Workplace Retirement Plans, Actuarial & Pension, Healthcare Consulting, IRA, VEBA HRA, Health & Welfare Plans, Fiduciary, Collective Investment Funds, Fund Administration, and Institutional Trust.

Specialty practices include: Auto Enrollment Plans, Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans, Plans with Employer Securities, Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans, VEBA HRA Plans, Cash Balance Plans, Collective Investment Trusts, and Fund Administration.

BPAS subsidiaries include: BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Global Trust Company, Hand Benefits & Trust, and NRS Trust Product Administration.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.

Utica, NY (October 19, 2021). BPAS, a leading national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts, has launched BPAStify – an innovative, new fraud prevention tool that is part of the firm’s overall security efforts.

Under BPAStify, a participant requesting certain assistance through the Participant Service Center or other means may require additional scrutiny using a live video identity verification process via smart phone, tablet, or computer. When complete, the recording will be shared with the client’s HR team, who will verify that the caller is truly the employee in question and provide approval to BPAS.

“A few months ago, I was at the airport standing in the TSA Security line,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “When I got to the front, the agent asked me to step aside because I’d been randomly selected for additional scrutiny. While waiting, something dawned on me: This situation is analogous to what we’re dealing with in DC plans, with thousands of people running through the airport each day. Like the TSA, recordkeepers have an obligation to invoke additional security measures to protect assets, whether driven by facts, random selection, or behavior. That’s when the idea for BPAStify hit me like a bolt of lightning. I brought the idea back for our people to figure out.”

In the wake of well-published data breaches in 2017 and 2018, retirement service providers across the U.S. have fought a range of new fraud threats within workplace retirement plans. Firms have implemented a bevy of new measures to galvanize their programs, including multi-factor authentication, added security questions, changes to electronic payment polices and other confidential or proprietary measures.

“We started experimenting with this concept a few months ago,” said Joe Buczek, Manager of the BPAS Participant Service Center. “In most call centers, the overwhelming majority of calls are innocuous. However, a small number of calls can raise attention either because of behavior, or facts that seem strange. When we decide to invoke BPAStify, we notify the caller that the account has been flagged for additional scrutiny. The caller’s reaction tells you something right away. When you’re dealing with the real participant, there is almost always an immediate willingness to cooperate; they appreciate the added vigilance to protect their account. In cases where there is a refusal to cooperate or some technological reason why the caller can’t participate, it’s a big red flag. We freeze the account and initiate additional security measures to protect the plan assets.”

A key element of BPAStify is not only authentication and review by the employer, but the fact that, in the event of a fraud attempt, the recording itself could be used by law enforcement to identify and prosecute fraudsters. Considering the dollars at stake, this is something BPAS makes clear on the recorded calls.

“We will continue to refine the BPAStify program and build additional technology around it,” added Linda Pritchard, SVP of BPAS Operations. “There is only one individual who has the right to access an account or attempt to withdraw assets – the actual participant. If we suspect an outside individual may be attempting to gain access to an account, including possible cases of family fraud or domestic fraud, or see situations that just don’t stack up, BPAStify will jump into the ring. We’re pleased to add this new tool to our arsenal of security measures. We have no higher imperative than to protect plan assets for our customers. BPAStify is a real game changer.”

“BPAS focuses on improving technology and developing programs to ensure that participants are knowledgeable about the importance of retirement savings,” added Chrissy DeCaria, Relationship Manager at BPAS, who plays a lead role in the firm’s security initiatives. “We understand how important it is to protect accounts, and we work to educate participants on their vital responsibilities in this process. BPAStify is one more piece of the puzzle. I think participants will appreciate this level of service; anyone who has experienced a fraud attempt will understand why it’s so important. We look forward to using this program when we get that feeling that something just doesn’t sound right. Peace of mind for all parties is a beautiful thing.”

About BPAS

BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts. We support 4,200 retirement plans, $110 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 510,000 participants. With our breadth of services, depth of creative talent, and financial resources, we are well-positioned to help our clients solve all their benefit plan challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call.

BPAS services: Plan Administration & Recordkeeping, Actuarial & Pension, Collective Investment Trusts, Fund Administration, Fiduciary Healthcare Consulting, IRA, VEBA HRA, Health & Welfare Plans, and Institutional Trust.

BPAS specialty practices: Auto Enrollment Plans, Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans, Plans with Employer Securities, Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans, VEBA HRA Plans, Cash Balance Plans, Collective Investment Trusts, and Fund Administration.

BPAS subsidiaries: BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Global Trust Company, Hand Benefits & Trust, and NRS Trust Product Administration.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.

Utica, NY (July 13, 2021 ). BPAS, a leading national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts, announced today that Maryann Geary has been named President of its Plan Administration and Recordkeeping Services and David Ritchie has been named Executive Vice President of its Health & Welfare division.

Geary has led the company’s Plan Administration & Recordkeeping operations since 2008. Before joining BPAS, she was an owner of Alliance Benefit Group Mid-Atlantic, in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. She holds several designations in the retirement field from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, including Certified Pension Consultant, Qualified Pension Administrator, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, Qualified Plan Financial Consultant, and Tax Exempt and Government Plans Consultant. She is also an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent and is licensed to represent clients before the IRS.

“Maryann has played a vital role in the growth and development of BPAS, while setting the highest standards for the ERISA, technical, and plan design knowledge we possess as an organization,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “She brings a keen understanding of technical requirements, combined with a practical approach to plan administration. Maryann has overseen various teams within BPAS, including our national team of Plan Consultants, the Plan Documents and Notices team, the Plan Conversion and Implementation team, TPA Services, and worked across the company on many collaborative projects. As President, Maryann will be able to work her magic in overseeing all operations and lead our administrative, trust, and operational functions of our Plan Administration & Recordkeeping Services.”

“It is a very exciting time to work in the retirement field due to recent legislation,” said Geary. “BPAS will continue to focus on providing unparalleled retirement administration and recordkeeping services with a focus on technology and outsourcing the HR functions for our Plan Sponsors to allow them to focus on growing their businesses.  I am thrilled to be able to lead the way with an amazing team of professionals at BPAS.”

Ritchie, who joined BPAS in 2013, is a national expert on VEBA HRA issues. With more than 20 years of industry experience, he is a leading authority on VEBAs, Consumer-Driven Plans, and COBRA Administration. In his new role, he will lead the company’s Health & Welfare service lines in operations, sales, staffing, service, and compliance.

Since joining BPAS, Ritchie has secured key partnerships to help expand the BPAS Health & Welfare business. The company’s VEBA offering is particularly popular with municipal/public-sector employers, schools and universities, and Taft-Hartley union groups.

“David has been instrumental to the growth of our VEBA and Health & Welfare lines of business,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “In addition to his strong leadership skills and strategic thinking, he brings a keen understanding of GASB/OPEB mitigation solutions, union negotiation and bargaining, consumer-driven healthcare options, and COBRA administration. His leadership has been a driving force in expanding the BPAS national brand across a competitive marketplace and building our Health & Welfare practice. We offer one of the best solutions in the market. With Dave at the helm, we have the products, technology, staffing, and expertise to really lead the way.”

“With the continuous rising costs of both healthcare insurance and expenses, Health & Welfare plans are great tools for employers and employees looking to stretch their budgets and create a marketplace of informed consumers,” said Ritchie. We have a compelling story and can help employers enjoy significant additional tax advantages. I’m looking forward to expanding the BPAS brand and building our Health & Welfare business into a truly national brand.”

About BPAS

BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts. We support 4,200 retirement plans, $110 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 510,000 participants. With our breadth of services, depth of creative talent, and financial resources, we are well-positioned to help our clients solve all their benefit plan challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call.

BPAS services: Plan Administration & Recordkeeping, Actuarial & Pension, Collective Investment Trusts, Fund Administration, Fiduciary Healthcare Consulting, IRA, VEBA/HRA, Health & Welfare Plans, Institutional Trust.

BPAS specialty practices: Auto Enrollment Plans, Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans, Plans with Employer Securities, Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans, VEBA HRA Plans, Cash Balance Plans, Collective Investment Trusts, and Fund Administration.

BPAS subsidiaries: BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Fringe Benefits Design, Global Trust Company, Hand Benefits & Trust, and NRS Trust Product Administration.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.

Boston, MA (June 22, 2021) – BPAS, a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts, is partnering with MP, an HCM solutions company, to deliver integrated solutions for mutual plan-sponsor clients. The MP-BPAS partnership means 360-degree integration technology links and synchronized data between the plan sponsor, recordkeeper, administrator, and employees.

This new partnership will eliminate manual uploads, reduce data entry errors, and protect data integrity for employers choosing MP for comprehensive payroll services and BPAS for defined contribution (DC) plan administration. Data will be updated automatically between BPAS and MP whenever a change is made to one of the systems for full 360-degree automation to all parties.

“We are excited to support MP and BPAS clients in a new way,” said Jason Maxwell, CEO of MP. “We can now offer seamless, top-tier solutions for plan administration, as well as proactive and reliable HR and payroll services that will save our clients an enormous amount of time.”

Both MP and BPAS offer employers the option to customize and manage service providers across employee benefit, payroll, and accounting services. The two companies are now able to deliver an integration solution that optimizes the employee experience for its clients.

“BPAS is committed to executing and streamlining the plan sponsor experience,” said Paul Neveu, BPAS CEO. “We recognize that payroll providers and DC plan recordkeepers operate in a world of client choice. So, when we can create a partnership where two firms truly optimize the client experience and deliver refreshing new solutions to employers, we’re going to jump at it. It’s like we’re restoring the confident silence back into plan administration.”

MP serves clients across the nation with a high concentration in New England. MP and BPAS began working together through advisor partnerships in 2014. “We have earned our clients’ trust as they outsource their retirement plan needs to us,” added Neveu. “We’re proud of this partnership and are looking forward to a full rollout to clients. Plus, MP will now be a provider of choice for BPAS clients, serving their HR, payroll, and benefits administration needs.”

About MP

MP is a full-service HR and payroll services provider. Founded in 2004, it is headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts. The company serves clients from all industries and across all 50 states, helping them streamline human capital management to achieve their larger business goals. MP combines best in class technology with proactive and reliable customer service to help clients optimize performance. For more information, visit mp-hr.com.

About BPAS

BPAS is a national provider of retirement plans, benefit plans, fund administration, and collective investment trusts. We support 4,000 retirement plans, $100 billion in trust assets, $1.3 trillion in fund administration, and more than 500,000 participants. With our breadth of services, depth of creative talent, and financial resources, we are well positioned to help our clients solve all their benefit plan challenges without the need to engage multiple providers. One company. One call.

The BPAS family of services includes: Plan Administration & Recordkeeping | Actuarial & Pension | Healthcare Consulting | IRA | VEBA HRA | Health & Welfare Plans | Fiduciary | Collective Investment Funds | Fund Administration | Institutional Trust

Specialty practices include: Auto Enrollment Plans | Multiple Employer Trusts/Plans (MET/MEP) | Plans with Employer Securities | Puerto Rico Section 1081 Plans | VEBA HRA Plans | Cash Balance Plans | Collective Investment Trusts | Fund Administration

BPAS subsidiaries include: Hand Benefits & Trust, NRS Trust Product Administration, Global Trust Company, and BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico.

As a solutions-oriented national practice, we are committed to “Solving Tomorrow’s Benefit Challenges Today.” Visit bpas.com for more information.