The 2016 PLANSPONSOR Retirement Plan Advisers of the Year—the finalists and the winners—give us advisory practices that have demonstrated an unfailing commitment to helping plan sponsors meet their fiduciary responsibilities and to assisting plan participants sufficiently prepare for retirement.

Since its launch in 2005, the award has grown and now includes 20 practices: 16 finalists and four winners across four categories (individual, small team, large team and mega team). Judges look for advisory practices that employ industry best practices across a number of areas, including the implementation of auto enrollment, auto escalation and reenrollment, especially at higher levels than the industry norms.

Advisers that are successful in the award program need to demonstrate a commitment to outcomes-based measurement and encourage plan sponsor clients to create plans not that are just in the best interest of the company but are in the best interest of participants. The following profiles on the winners and finalists illuminate the best that the retirement planning industry has to offer.—PA