MJ Retirement is an Indiana limited liability Company that was founded in May 2012,
and is an investment adviser registered with the SEC. We provide customized advisory
services to retirement and deferred compensation plan sponsors, foundations,
endowments, corporations, and other businesses. MJ Retirement also provides Wealth
Management Services to individual investors. MJ Retirement willingly accepts the
designation as a “Co-Fiduciary” under ERISA 3(21) (A) and ERISA 3(38) as part of its
normal course of business. In 2021, MJ Retirement became wholly owned subsidiary of
MJ Insurance, Inc dba The MJ Companies. Douglas G. Prince is the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Investment Officer, and Brea Dantin is the Chief Operations Officer..
As of December 2023, MJ Retirement manages $1,348,666,081.00 in client assets on a
discretionary basis and $3,063,811,062.00 on a non-discretionary basis.
Our general services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Plan Sponsor and Institutional Investment Advisory Services
Establishment of Investment Objectives
Investment advisory services begin with the identification of the client's goals and
objectives for the investment portfolio and a discussion of the appropriate level of risk
for the retirement plan's participants (for participant-directed retirement plans), the Plan
Sponsor (for Trustee-Managed or Defined Benefit Plans) or the institution.
Investment Policy Statement (IPS) Development and Management
The investment policy statement is a written document that contains the guidelines for
investment recommendations, investment selection, as well as ongoing monitoring and
management of the investment portfolio. The IPS outlines the intended use of
the portfolio's assets, the time horizon, liquidity needs, targeted allocation by asset class
(for example, equity, fixed income, cash), well as a range from low to high for each
allocation, and any impermissible investments. The IPS also provides an overview of
the methodology used for selection, monitoring and termination of investment
managers. The IPS is reviewed on an annual basis and at other times when there has
been a change in the client's intention for the long-term direction of the portfolio or an
impending event such as a termination of the retirement plan.
Asset Allocation Analysis
Asset allocation analysis involves a review of how the client's portfolio has been
invested in the past in terms of the division between equity, fixed income, cash and
alternative investments, along with the level of risk the historical allocation has
generated and the allocation's impact on historical returns. The analysis is used to
assess the degree to which the asset allocation fits with the client's goals and objectives
and to model alternate asset allocations that may be appropriate depending on the
client's goals and objectives.
Investment Manager Search, Selection and Due Diligence
Searching for the investment managers that will carry out the Investment Policy
Statement first involves consideration of the types of vehicles that are available from the
entity (such as the custodian or retirement plan record keeper) that provides the
investment platform through which investments will be purchased, sold and held. The
types of vehicles could include for example mutual funds, exchange-traded funds,
collective trusts, master trusts, and separate accounts. MJ Retirement will recommend
the best fit for each client's goals, asset level, liquidity needs and participant population
(for participant-directed retirement plans).
MJ Retirement uses a variety of money manager databases, as well as third-party and
proprietary screening and evaluation tools along with its professional judgment and
experience to search for and recommend investment managers.
Investment managers are monitored through a qualitative and quantitative methodology
on a quarterly basis. Clients receive a written report after the end of each calendar
quarter showing the investment manager's rate of return for the quarter, how the return
compares to the applicable market benchmark and to a peer group of similar managers
available from MJ Retirement’s investment manager databases. Recommendations for
replacement of an investment manager or addition of a new manager are provided at
such time the quarterly report is delivered. Additionally, significant events that MJ
Retirement believes could have a detrimental impact on the investment manager's
performance will be discussed with the client along with any recommendations.
Examples of such events could be changes to the portfolio management team, a
change in investment philosophy, a significant change in investment strategy or events
affecting the investment manager's corporate entity.
A plan-level rate of return is provided for retirement plans and a portfolio
rate of return is
provided for other institutional clients. The reports are illustrative and based upon
information deemed to be reliable, but do not replace account statements received from
the custodian.
Fiduciary Services for Retirement Plan Clients
For retirement plan clients, MJ Retirement provides fiduciary training at the onset of the
engagement covering foundational topics, such as who is the fiduciary, what are the
statutory duties of a fiduciary, establishing fiduciary governance, and investment basics
such as asset allocation, diversification, and historical risk and return of investment
categories. Additionally, at each quarterly investment review topics of interest to
fiduciaries and tools for fiduciaries to use in carrying out their duties are presented and
discussed.
For retirement plan clients, a benchmarking of total fees and expenses is conducted.
Total fees and expenses are compared to a benchmarking group consisting of
retirement plans similar in asset size, participant count and industry classification. For
all institutional clients, investment expenses by investment manager are reported on a
quarterly basis and compared to the category average for managers in the same or
similar investment category.
For retirement plan clients who want to replace their record keeper or request an in-
depth comparison of services and fees to another record keeper, MJ Retirement
performs a full scope record keeper search. There may be a separate fee for this
service which will be discussed with the client prior to beginning the project. MJ
Retirement also provides limited scope record keeper search services whereby the
primary goal is to compare fees and basic services.
At the client’s request, MJ Retirement serves as the intermediary between the client and
the record keeper for fee negotiations, problem resolution, examination of new services
and development of an employee education and communication strategy.
Consultations
Certain clients may engage MJ Retirement for a consultation instead of for on-going
investment advisory services. A consultation is a one-time, limited scope project.
Examples of consultation projects would be limited scope investment advice for a
particular type of investment or an asset allocation for a specified period of time, a one-
time record keeper or other service provider search, advice on a prudent process for a
specific fiduciary duty, participant or Investment Committee education, etc. MJ
Retirement’s fees for consultations are based upon the scope and nature of the
consultation engagement and will be agreed upon in advance of the engagement.
Wealth Management Services
Financial Planning Services
MJ Retirement offers financial planning services for clients who wish to receive holistic
advice as it relates to their entire financial situation. Elements of the client’s
circumstances and needs reviewed in a financial plan include, but are not limited to
investments, insurance, income taxes, estate planning, retirement income generation,
liquidity needs and education funding. MJ Retirement does not offer legal or tax advice,
but rather works with the client and the client’s legal and tax advisors to formulate a
financial plan.
Investment Advisory Services
Investment advisory services begin with the identification of the client's goals and
objectives for the investment portfolio and a discussion of the appropriate level of risk
based upon the client’s capacity to take risk and risk tolerance. Other factors
considered by MJ Retirement include, but are not limited to, time horizon, liquidity
needs, income needs and the purpose for the investment portfolio.
MJ Retirement offers investment advisory services on a discretionary basis (meaning
the client gives MJ Retirement authorization to make investment decisions without
seeking prior approval from the client) and a non-discretionary basis (meaning the client
must approve the investment recommendations made by MJ Retirement prior to
implementation). Clients who engage MJ Retirement on a non-discretionary basis may
impose restrictions on investing in certain types of investments or on specific securities.
MJ Retirement will conduct an investment review (whether in person or by telephone)
with wealth management clients on a quarterly basis or less frequently if requested by
the client. The review will include a discussion of the portfolio’s overall performance
and investment manager returns. For non-discretionary clients, the review will also
include recommendations to add or replace investment categories or investment
managers when applicable. The review will also serve as a forum to discuss any
changes in the client’s financial or family situation or changes to investment goals and
objectives.