Retirement Plan Investment Advisory & Consulting Services

Strategic guidance designed to optimize your retirement plan and reduce risk.

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Where retirement plan clarity meets collaboration

Employer-sponsored retirement plans involve complex investment decisions, evolving fiduciary responsibilities and heightened scrutiny from committees and stakeholders. Associated Bank serves as an independent advisor throughout the lifecycle of your retirement plan— supporting prudent decision-making, aligning investment strategy with plan goals and helping committees manage risk with confidence.

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Our approach

Outstanding service is our priority. And our unique value is in how our people partner with you to offer comprehensive support, solve challenges and ensure you achieve your goals. We deliver results by putting your best interests at the heart of all we do.

  • A dedicated, local relationship manager, backed by an experienced team, provides continuity, accountability and highly responsive service.

  • Multidisciplinary advisory team spanning investments, fiduciary governance and retirement plan operations–working collaboratively, not in silos.

  • Independent, fiduciary‑aligned guidance designed to support informed decision‑making without proprietary product influence.

  • Disciplined, process‑driven investment oversight focused on risk, performance and long‑term alignment rather than short‑term results.

  • Seamless partnership with recordkeepers and investment managers, including Fidelity, to enhance coordination without disrupting existing relationships.

  • A long‑term, consultative relationship focused on empowering plan sponsors and supporting sustainable retirement outcomes.

Investment Advising

Our investment professionals partner with you to ensure your plan complements your workforce and company culture.

  • Investment policy statement development
  • Diversified investment menu construction and target-date suitability
  • Ongoing investment manager recommendations and performance reporting
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Fiduciary Support

We develop governance processes that serve plan participants and minimize sponsor risk.

  • Committee formalization and fiduciary training
  • Committee oversight and documentation of committee actions
  • Evaluation and ongoing review of plan design and governing documents
  • Fee benchmarking
  • Regulatory, legislative and case law updates

Participant Education

Our comprehensive education program strengthens participants’ financial foundations and, by extension, confidence.


  • Customized education plan
  • Virtual and in-person group presentations
  • One-on-one participant consultations
  • Promotion of fundamental financial literacy
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Plan Governance and Oversight

The services we offer assist plan sponsors in operating their plans with prudence and care.

  • Evaluation of administrative, recordkeeping and compliance needs
  • Vendor search coordination and assistance with the RFI/RFP process
  • Plan cost and fee structure analysis
  • Identification of opportunities to optimize plan effectiveness
  • Guidance for plan sponsors in maintaining ERISA compliance

Connect with an Associated Bank Retirement plan services professional.

Find a team
near you

Employers, contact:

Jesse Drage
Director of Retirement Plan Services
Jesse.Drage@associatedbank.com

Participants, call:

Call 800-431-4649
Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

Frequently Asked Questions

A retirement plan investment advisor helps employers and retirement plan committees oversee the investment strategy of an employer‑sponsored retirement plan while supporting fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA. This includes guidance on investment selection, performance and risk monitoring, default investment oversight and maintaining a disciplined decision‑making process.

At Associated Bank, our role is to provide independent, fiduciary‑aligned investment guidance that helps committees navigate complexity with confidence. We work alongside plan sponsors to support prudent oversight, clear documentation and long‑term retirement outcomes—while partnering seamlessly with recordkeepers and investment managers such as Fidelity. 

Retirement plan investment consulting is an ongoing, collaborative relationship designed to support plan sponsors and committees throughout the life of the plan. It typically begins with establishing a governance and investment framework and continues through regular monitoring, reporting and strategic reviews as markets, regulations and workforce needs evolve.

Associated Bank’s investment consulting approach is relationship‑led and process‑driven. Clients work directly with a dedicated local relationship manager, supported by a multidisciplinary team, to receive independent guidance that complements existing providers—helping committees make informed decisions without outsourcing responsibility. 

Plan governance refers to the structure, processes, and practices used to oversee an employer‑sponsored retirement plan in a prudent and consistent manner. Strong governance helps ensure decisions are aligned with fiduciary responsibilities, well‑documented and defensible under ERISA.

Effective retirement plan governance often includes a defined committee structure, an investment policy statement (IPS), regular investment and provider reviews, and clear roles and accountability. Associated Bank supports plan governance by helping committees establish disciplined oversight processes that manage risk, support compliance and provide clarity and confidence in decision‑making. 



  1. Offer expires December 31, 2026. Show this offer to your Associated Bank mortgage lender at time of application. Your loan must close by February 28, 2027. Offer applies to the refinance of a non-Associated Bank mortgage loan or purchase money mortgages. One discount per mortgage loan; cannot be combined with any other mortgage loan discount offers and is subject to change (at Associated Bank’s discretion) at any time without notice. Some mortgage programs and products are excluded from this offer, including but not limited to lot loans, simultaneous seconds and the refinance of an Associated Bank mortgage loan. (1184)

  2. Emerald Choice will receive the first qualified year reimbursed. Emerald Private Choice will receive every year reimbursed. You must meet and maintain the benefit tier qualifications for Emerald Choice or Emerald Private Choice, listed on the Associated Choice Checking Product Disclosure, in the month that your Reserve Rewards+ credit card annual membership fee is assessed for the annual membership fee to be reimbursed. Your credit card annual membership fee will be charged and reimbursed within 1-2 statement months. (1528)

  • Loan products are offered by Associated Bank, N.A., and are subject to credit approval and involve interest and other costs. Please ask about details on fees and terms and conditions of these products. Property insurance and flood insurance, if applicable, will be required on collateral. (1050)

  • Subject to credit approval. The creditor and issuer of these cards is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. (1056)

  • Investment, Securities and Insurance Products:

    NOT
    FDIC INSURED    		NOT BANK
    GUARANTEED    		MAY
    LOSE VALUE    		NOT INSURED BY ANY
    FEDERAL AGENCY    		NOT A
    DEPOSIT