The Stratum One Advantage
Stratum One allows plan sponsors to transfer many of these responsibilities to experienced specialists, reducing internal burden while maintaining a high-quality retirement program.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden or secondary revenue streams. Investment savings passed to clients.
Reduced Fiduciary Burden
Delegated oversight helps ease fiduciary responsibilities.
Simplified Administration
Streamlined structure with a single PEP-level audit.
Institutional-Quality Investments
Access to a professionally managed investment platform.
Client-Aligned Savings
Investment savings are passed directly to clients.
Expanded Value-Added Services
Access to additional solutions like HSAs and stock equity programs.
Many pooled employer plans are built as bundled, one-provider solutions with limited customization, opaque fee structures, and product-driven agendas. Stratum One takes a different approach. Our multi-provider model combines the strengths of specialized, experienced partners with institutional oversight from NEPC. The result is a flexible, transparent solution designed to help employers streamline plan management while maintaining choice, customization, and advisor continuity.
Why NEPC?
We are a full-service investment consulting firm offering innovative, research-driven investment solutions to some of the world’s most sophisticated investors, including: endowments, foundations, institutions, families and individuals.
PARTNERS
The Power Behind Stratum One
NEPC serves two key roles within the PEP. As the Pooled Plan Provider, NEPC is responsible for overseeing the structure and governance of the plan. As the 3(38) Investment Fiduciary, NEPC selects, manages, and monitors the investment options, helping ensure the lineup remains aligned with plan objectives and participant needs.
Empower
Empower delivers modern recordkeeping technology and high-quality participant communications and tools.
NPPG
NPPG executes dedicated 3(16) fiduciary administration and compliance duties.
Why choose a PEP?
A Pooled Employer Plan, or PEP, is designed to make offering a 401(k) plan easier, more efficient, and less burdensome for employers.
Instead of managing a standalone retirement plan on your own, a PEP allows multiple employers to participate in one professionally managed plan structure. This can help reduce administrative complexity, create potential cost efficiencies, and shift key responsibilities to experienced plan fiduciaries.
Reduce administrative lift
Move many day-to-day plan tasks, vendor coordination, and governance responsibilities to a dedicated provider.
Simplify fiduciary oversight
Delegate certain fiduciary responsibilities to experienced professionals who manage the plan structure, investments, and operations.
Create potential cost efficiencies
Benefit from the scale of a larger pooled plan, which may help reduce costs across investments, recordkeeping, and other plan services.
Improve the employee experience
Give access to a well-designed retirement program with education, and investment options that support better long-term outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does NEPC play in the PEP?
NEPC serves two key roles. 1. Pooled Plan Provider (PPP) – responsible for overseeing the structure and governance of the PEP and 2. 3(38) Investment Fiduciary – NEPC selects, manages, and monitors the investment options
This allows employers to delegate investment oversight to an experienced, institutional investment advisor.
What type of plan is Stratum One designed for?
Stratum One is designed for employers seeking a simplified, professionally governed defined contribution solution.
It is particularly well suited for employers with:
~$10M+ in 401(k) plan assets
~80+ employees
Where does my advisor fit within the Stratum One structure?
If you currently work with an advisor today, they will remain central to your relationship.
What differentiates Stratum One versus competitors?
Stratum One provides a team of credible partners rather than a bundled service model, with institutional investment oversight from NEPC, transparent pricing, and flexible plan design.
How is this different from other PEPs in the market?
Our solution uses a multi-provider model rather than a bundled, one-provider approach, helping avoid a product-driven agenda or required cross-selling. It is supported by an institutional investment process grounded in OCIO experience.
Ready to rethink your retirement plan?
See how Stratum One can help streamline administration, support stronger fiduciary oversight, and deliver a more efficient plan experience for your organization.
Ready to simplify retirement plan management?
Learn how Stratum One can help reduce complexity, strengthen governance, and support better outcomes for your employees.