Press Release

Asteri Collective Launches to Redefine the Role of Retirement Plan Consultants

Issued by Asteri Collective

Aug. 18, 2025

A group of the nation’s top retirement plan consulting firms has officially launched The Asteri Collective, a collaboration committed to elevating the role of Retirement Plan Consultants (RPCs) across the retirement planning ecosystem.

The Asteri Collective unites the nation’s leading independent Retirement Plan Consultants to shape and define the future of the retirement industry. Leveraging more than $94 billion in assets under administration, 38,000+ plans, and over 2 million participants, the group brings unmatched scale, expertise, and industry relationships. Together, members foster collaboration across the retirement ecosystem and lead technology and data integration initiatives that benefit recordkeepers, advisors, and plan sponsors alike. The vision: a more connected, transparent, and innovative industry, ready to meet the surge of 300k+ new plans expected in the next few years.

“This is a pivotal moment for our profession,” said Ann Slotwinski, Executive Director of The Asteri Collective. “Our members represent some of the most respected and forward-thinking firms in the industry. By working together, we can accelerate innovation, advocate for better technology, and ensure the role of the Retirement Plan Consultant remains central to driving successful outcomes.”

“There are TPAs and there are retirement plan consultants,” said Shawn Parker, President of MGKS. “We are consultants. We are the future of the industry, and we are proud to evolve as a firm with this collective of like-minded firms, focused on world-class customer service and innovation.”

Why This Matters

At a time when automation and market consolidation can risk sidelining independent expertise, The Asteri Collective affirms the critical role of human insight in shaping strategies that drive long-term success. Members are not simply administrators; they are partners, advisors, and architects of retirement solutions that stand the test of time.

“Access to the right data is everything,” said Katherine Tipper, President of Hunter Benefits. “Forming this collective means we can advocate for the technology we need to be as efficient and effective as possible. We are stronger, faster, and more flexible together.”

Collaborative by Design

Each member firm remains independently owned and operated, yet aligned under a shared vision: a tech-enabled, relationship-driven future powered by better data, smarter collaboration, and hands-on expertise.

“Being part of this collective has elevated everything about how we show up in the retirement space,” said Matt Schoneman, President of TRA, Inc. “We’re still proudly independent, but we’re no longer operating in a silo. We now have a network of like-minded RPCs who challenge each other, share ideas, and push the industry forward together.”

Who Benefits?

Advisors: The Asteri Collective empowers advisors to focus on investment strategy while ensuring the technical and compliance aspects of plans are proactively managed.

Recordkeepers: Collective members strengthen client retention through compliance-ready plan operations, effective integration, and streamlined servicing.

Broker-Dealers: Reduce the risk of compliance surprises with proactive oversight and coordinated plan management, without disrupting investment strategies.

Member Firms

The Asteri Collective is comprised of:

• AimPoint Pension*
• Blue Ridge Associates (TSC401K, Coastal Pensions, QRPS, CBP)
• Hunnex & Shoemaker
• Hunter Benefits Consulting Group
• MAP Retirement*
• MGKS
• Navia Retirement Solutions (Nexus Administrators, Inc.)
• Pension Administrators, LLC
• Pension Plan Specialists, PC*
• Premier Plan Consultants
• The Retirement Advantage
• Trinity Pension Consultants

*These firms are part of the same organization, which includes: Abacus Benefit Consultants, Inc., AimPoint Pension, Gorrelick, Tievy ð Abacus, MAP Retirement, Pension Plan Specialists, PC, Qualified Plan Consultants, Retirement Service Group, Inc., and Blue Chip RPS.

About The Asteri Collective

The Asteri Collective is a national group of independent Retirement Plan Consultants united by a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation. By combining scale, technical expertise, and industry relationships, the Collective is redefining what’s possible in the retirement planning ecosystem.

Retirement Plan Consultants interested in joining The Asteri Collective should contact Ann Slotwinski at ann@astericollective.org.

To learn more, visit www.astericollective.org

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