I'm looking for a record keeping system

[Guest KCW]

As the subject of this message suggests, I'm looking for a record keeping system for our DC and DB plans.

Is there anything you can tell me about Sungard Corbel's Relius Administration?

[Tom Poje]

Interesting question.

And I figure a good way of going about it, asking users, rather than relying on a sales pitch.

And you included your e-mail, a big plus, because the software companies look at these comments from time to time, and someone might not feel like they can put down exactly what they feel on this board.

On the other hand, amongst users, you will have a variety of talents and abilities, so even any comments might be taken with a grain of salt. (For example, I find using pivot tables in excel rather difficult, but is that a true reflection on excel or me?)

so having said all that, I would hold any software has its plusses and minusses. Are you heavy into 'daily' valuations. Is the majority of your work DC or DB? what type of reports are you looking to turn out..e.g. with pie charts and stuff? large or small plans?

See, I can be as general as you! ha!

I would add the following comment, at least I get the feeling that newer users appreciate the User group meetings - a chance to get together with other users for some trainging and a chance to swap ideas, etc. However, I don't see any Western User Group listed on the board anymore.

[Guest KCW]

Thanks for the reply, Tom.

I guess my query was a tad on the general side.

Anyway, we are a local governmental utility district and have been the administrator of our 401(a) DB plan, our 401(a) DC plan, and our 457(B) deferred comp plan for about ten years now. We have also been the trustee and record keeper for our 401(a) plans. We have three providers who perform recordkeeping and trust services for our 457 plan.

Our DB plan (~400 participants/$90MM) has not had ee contributions since 1976, so aside from compensation records, the recordkeeping transaction load is light--about 20 active balances with annual balance-forward valuation.

The DC plan has ~500 participants & is about $50MM, with quarterly balance-forward valuation and two investment choices; an ultra-short-term fixed income/cash account and a balanced equity portfolio.

We hold fancy graphs in contempt, just produce simple statements and don't have to do any testing, cross or otherwise (we're the government).

Daily valuation is not contemplated.

We would expect to be able to create an interface between the recordkeeping software and our Oracle 11i HR/Payroll system, both for recording ee / er pre-tax contributions, and for paying retirees.

Our current record keeping software is about 8 years old and was pretty archaic when we bought it.

We value simplicity, rugged reliability and long productive service life.

As far as Excel and pivot tables go, I KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT EXCEL, but I never have gotten the hang of those pivot tables. It's not you or me, Tom, it's Excel.