TPA software

[Guest JWR]

I am looking for information about the best and most cost effective software for plan administration (eligibility, vesting, contributions, etc.) and recordkeeping (fund/share accounting at the plan and participant level, loans, hardship availability, etc.). In the perfect world there would be one application that did both well. If you have a system or systems that work well, feel free to share the info. Likewise if you have something that doesn't work so well.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[12AX7]

Your question is similar to, "what is the best car to drive" or "where can I get the best steak dinner in New York City". The answer may be different for each person. The best advice I can give you is to contact the various vendors and arrange for either an online demo or perhaps attend a conference where some of the larger vendors regularily attend. No software vendor is perfect, but there are a few good ones out there to consider.

[austin3515]

I say there's really three to choose from:

Relius

Relius

Relius

OK there;s others out there, Blaze is supposed to very very good too, and I've heard ASC is also top nothc. But if you want testimonial from someone whose used a package and ehard nothing but great things, then my vote is Relius.

[K2retire]

I think CPI uses ASC. I know some people there if none of them responds, I'll send an e-mail next week.

[Tom Poje]

I'd add in another consideration, what is your (and/or your help's) learning curve?

Having done support for Pentabs (which has evolved into Relius) many years ago, I'd say for a lot of people the learning curve is great (if not frustrating) for Relius. If you also have a talent and an ability at Crystal (Report Writer) you are at a big advantage. I've had no problem running the system, don't think I've called support in years. If you have a bit of logic, you can get the system to do some things which are not directly built into it to make your life a lot easier. but then there are lots of bells and whistles that I've never used (e.g. daily accounting) so maybe I haven't had the problems others have because I don't use those features. And my understanding you pay the price for all the extra features that other softwares may not have. I have no idea.

[Guest greybeard]

If you stay away from DB plans Relius may be okay.