Chip Harkins has over 30 years of experience providing retirement plan consulting and fiduciary consulting services to corporate retirement plan sponsors. His expertise encompasses retirement plans of all types—401(k), profit sharing, defined benefit pension, ESOP, and non–qualified executive retirement plans. At Newport, Chip conducts qualified retirement plan evaluations, analyzes 401(k) provider platforms, conducts 401(k) vendor searches, and provides merger and acquisition consulting services. He assists companies with a wide range of special projects, including plan design, assessments of employee communication programs & materials, plan expense analysis, and vendor management services. Additionally, Chip works with plan committees to manage noninvestment related responsibilities and develop fiduciary governance procedures. Prior to joining Newport, Chip was a senior officer and principal for two retirement plan consulting firms, where he was responsible for client consulting, as well as the operation of participant recordkeeping, plan administration, investment advisory, and employee communication services. Chip is a member of Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) and has completed advanced programs through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). Additionally, he is a member of the Governance, Benchmarking & Communications Committee, and Fee Disclosure sub–committee of Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA). He has also earned his series 6, 7 and 63 registrations. Chip has spoken at numerous industry conferences with a focus on managing and documenting non-investment fiduciary responsibilities. He has also participated in seminars with ERISA attorneys and presented at
plan sponsor seminars on best practices and plan administration responsibilities. Chip has direct “hands on” experience working with all of the major plan administration service provider organizations.