Single owner/employee DB Plan and solo401K TPA needs??

I am getting old fast and  new to DB plans as I've been looking to find good TPA for solo401K and defined ben plan for single owner/employee. I have been working for just over 30 yrs and finally decided to set up a CB plan and solo 401K already established in Dec. All of my accounting etc. is straightforward with no complicated matters and it's just myself in my owner-only small business (LLC.).

Does anyone know if I really need a TPA to do anything for the solo401K I setup and administration or can I use the general plan/ adoption agreement template that the large brokerage house already has?? Any recommendations on TPA for the CB plan as it seems hundreds of TPAs that are selling services with large fees and mostly geared towards larger businesses. I know DB plans are complex and although mine is straight forward, I'd like to find someone/group that may actually want to help me:)

Thanks for any help in advance.

This forum is full of stories from people who tried to do it themselves and ended up fouling things up. Of course, if there are any business owners who are successfully administering their own plans, they probably aren't coming on here to tell us about it, so you do kind of have a self-selecting group.

That said, I would strongly encourage you to hire a TPA. For a one-member LLC with no employees, you won't have any testing and won't even need a 5500 until combined plan assets go over $250,000, so prices should be pretty reasonable, and you have the confidence of working with an expert who knows all the rules.

For the cash balance plan you are required to use the services of an enrolled actuary even if you don't have to file anything, so there's no doing it yourself with that one.

If you can tell us where you're located, I'm sure someone on this board will know a local TPA who can help you. Our company for example does administration for dozens of owner-only and micro-sized plans so there are definitely firms out there who cater to your market.

Thanks very much- just wasn't sure about the 401K being that the brokerage firms don't have many folks with expertise to be able to provide accurate guidance. They all state that the templates they provide are approved standards and can be used for clients especially single owner/employee etc. Located in central NJ if any one is in the business or can refer to reliable one. Many thanks again.

I sent you a DM

We've got an actuary we'd recommend in the middle of the country with good chops for what you're looking for.

He's handled my plans for 17 years.