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Prepare the opportunity
Understand the employer’s situation, available information, current services, and unanswered investment questions.
For Independent RIA Firms
Compete for retirement-plan business with stronger investment support.
MCO helps RIAs prepare investment reviews, strengthen sponsor proposals, and establish a consistent review process for employer retirement plans. You lead the relationship; MCO contributes investment research, judgment, and communication support.
Illustrative workflow
From relationship to review
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RIA identifies an employer opportunity
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MCO prepares the investment work
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RIA leads the sponsor conversation
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Both firms review the ongoing scope
A paid pilot is scoped against actual opportunities. A plan mandate, investment result, or recurring engagement is never assumed.
The Right Fit
Build on the relationships your firm already has.
The partnership is designed for RIAs serving business owners or developing an existing retirement-plan practice. We begin with a real opportunity, identify the investment support required, and agree a practical scope.
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Access to employer prospects or existing plan relationships.
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Willingness to lead sponsor conversations and follow-up.
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A need for research, proposal preparation, or ongoing investment-review support.
A Practical Service
One partnership across the sales and servicing cycle.
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Support the proposal
Develop a clear investment assessment, explain the proposed service, and prepare for sponsor questions.
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Maintain the relationship
Establish investment reviews, decision records, communication materials, and an agreed review calendar.
See the Work
A useful review makes the next sponsor conversation clearer.
The sample shows how MCO separates facts, assumptions, missing information, calculations, and judgment before a recommendation is discussed.
Read the illustrative reviewFictional sample
Employer Retirement Plan Investment Review
A completed example with sponsor questions, an expense comparison, review triggers, and a proposed calendar.
Your Firm, Your Relationship
MCO works behind the advisor and shows up when the scope calls for it.
You retain the sponsor relationship, brand, and agreed decision authority. MCO’s external role can be internal-facing, co-branded, or visible to selected prospects when that description is accurate and approved.
Investment support
Research, portfolio judgment, and decision-ready communication.
Independent framework
No required proprietary fund shelf or custody replacement.
Defined responsibilities
Plan administration, legal advice, and specialist services remain separately scoped.
Pilot Scope
Start with a defined 90-day pilot.
A paid pilot tests the partnership against actual opportunities. Scope is agreed before work begins, with clear deliverables and a review of the ongoing relationship at the end.
- One opportunity-selection session.
- Two scoped prospect assessments.
- One complete proposal and investment-review package.
- One joint prospect presentation, when scheduled during the pilot.
- Shared research and a proposed annual servicing calendar.
Activities are scheduled by agreement. A plan win, investment result, or automatic continuation is not promised.
Questions RIAs Ask
Clear scope before the first sponsor conversation.
Does MCO bring employer leads?
The initial partnership supports opportunities the RIA develops. Lead delivery is not included.
Do we need to change custodians or recordkeepers?
No. Recommendations depend on the existing arrangement and the investments available to the plan.
Can MCO join a sponsor meeting?
Yes, when participation is specifically included in the written engagement scope.
Can our website identify MCO’s role?
An active, agreed external relationship may be described using wording reviewed for accuracy and scope.
Does MCO administer plans or assume every fiduciary duty?
Responsibilities are defined in writing. Plan administration, legal advice, and specialist fiduciary appointments may require separate providers.
Are better returns or new clients guaranteed?
No. The work supports investment decisions, communication, and delivery; it does not guarantee returns or a plan win.
What happens after the pilot?
Both firms review usefulness, delivery requirements, and whether an ongoing relationship is appropriate.
Confidential Dialogue
Bring a real employer opportunity. We will define the investment work together.
The first conversation is used to define the decision problem, the existing constraints, and whether MCO's perspective can add value.