Master the strategies of risk management
Risk management for fiduciaries of retirement and healthcare plans is a structured and legally mandated process that ensures the protection of plan assets and the interests of participants. Governed primarily by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), fiduciaries are held to high standards of conduct and accountability. Their responsibilities span several key domains, each designed to mitigate risk and promote sound plan administration.
At Roland|Criss, we understand that effective fiduciary risk management requires more than just data oversight—it demands a comprehensive strategy that addresses regulatory compliance, service provider accountability, plan data integrity, and operational resilience.
How we can help
Our approach equips organizations to navigate this complex landscape by establishing robust governance frameworks, monitoring third-party performance, safeguarding sensitive plan data, and mitigating operational vulnerabilities.
Through tailored risk assessments and digital tools, we help clients anticipate threats, ensure regulatory alignment, and strengthen fiduciary decision-making across every dimension of their plan operations.
Risk Culture
Employee benefit plans, particularly retirement and healthcare programs, play a pivotal role in shaping an enterprise’s risk culture. These plans introduce complex fiduciary responsibilities that require disciplined oversight, regulatory compliance, and ethical decision-making. When managed effectively, they instill a culture of accountability and transparency, reinforcing the importance of long-term thinking and prudent risk-taking across the organization.
Conversely, inconsistent oversight, opaque service provider relationships, or data governance failures within benefit plans can signal broader cultural deficiencies.
Roland|Criss brings expertise in best practices, helping clients optimize plan design, investment options, vendor monitoring, cybersecurity, and risk management practices. This collaboration can lead to improved overall plan performance through more informed decision-making and strategic guidance.
With deep industry expertise, hands-on leadership, and a passionate, skilled team, we work alongside you to manage your oversight functions end-to-end—guiding you in best practices ongoing.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act increases fiduciary risk for healthcare plans
Relying on outdated risk management practices can jeopardize an organization’s fiduciary responsibilities, leading to financial exposure and lasting reputational harm.
The CAA has triggered a major upheaval in fiduciary responsibility—demanding greater transparency, tighter oversight, and a new standard of compliance for plan sponsors.
Our Managed Services help you navigate the CAA requirements while ensuring cost-effective risk management for your healthcare plans. We stay up to date with the latest CAA requirements, including the prohibition of gag clauses and mandatory fee disclosures.
Strengthen your oversight—partner with us.
We foster leadership and enable accountability
Leadership and accountability are fundamental to the role of managing risks for individuals who serve as watchdogs of retirement and healthcare plans.
- We help leaders in this space anticipate emerging threats, adapt to evolving regulations, and guide their teams in implementing robust controls that protect plan participants from fraud, mismanagement, or systemic failures.
- Our acountability mechanisms—such as process assessments, service provider performance evaluations, and regulatory reviews—not only detect gaps but also empower leaders to make informed, ethical choices.
A strategic approach to risk mitigation
Our firm is critical in helping clients achieve and maintain a high awareness of fiduciary risks by providing proactive education, strategic guidance, and ongoing oversight. We work closely with plan sponsors and fiduciaries to identify potential vulnerabilities in their retirement and healthcare plans, ensuring they understand their legal and ethical responsibilities.
Effective communication with plan participants is another cornerstone of our risk mitigation strategy. We assist clients in developing clear, transparent, and engaging communication plans that foster trust and understanding. That reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings or disputes. We help our clients build a culture of accountability and transparency that significantly offsets fiduciary risks.
A framework for confident, informed governance
Our firm supports clients in aligning their decision-making processes with their organization’s defined risk appetite by embedding risk awareness into every stage of strategic planning and operational execution.
Our approach ensures that decisions are compliant, strategic, and resilient–supporting long-term sustainability and stakeholder confidence. Embedding risk appetite into the decision-making fabric, we help fiduciaries navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
Fiduciary systems that work
Our firm works side by side with clients to install and maintain management systems and controls that meet fiduciary standards of care. We help design frameworks that ensure decisions are made in the best interest of plan participants, with clear documentation and oversight.
We also provide ongoing monitoring and support to keep these systems effective and compliant. Through regular reviews, updates, and plan committee involvement, we help clients stay aligned with evolving regulations and maintain a strong culture of fiduciary responsibility.
