Award Disclosures

NAPA Top DC Advisor Teams

The NAPA Top DC Advisor Team list highlights the nation’s leading retirement plan advisor firms. Sure, we know it’s not just about the numbers – but the reality is that NAPA members are having a huge impact every single day, not just on the quality of retirement plan advice, but also in building a more financially secure retirement for millions of Americans. Unlike other lists, this focuses on teams, broadly defined as being in a single physical location, and having at least $100 million in DC assets under advisement. It is based on self-reported assets under advisement as of December 31, 2019, unless otherwise noted.

Top DC Advisor Teams
The NAPA Top DC Advisor Team list highlights the nation’s leading retirement plan advisor firms. Unlike other lists, this focuses on teams, broadly defined as being in a single physical location, and having at least $100 million in DC assets under advisement. It is based on self-reported assets under advisement as of December 31st of the last calendar year, unless otherwise noted.

In this list, which debuted in September 2017, firms with a defined contribution (DC) practice are ranked by DC assets under advisement.


Nominations Solicited – January 15

Nominations Close – February 17

Voting Opens – N/A

Voting Closes – N/A

Winners Announced – March 18

Coverage in NNTM – Summer

Top Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40 / Young Guns
Established in 2014, this list – officially the NAPA Top Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40 (unofficially, our “young guns”) –has been rebranded as “Aces” – is based on applications received from nominees designated by NAPA Broker-Dealer/RIA Firm Partners.  Those applications are vetted by a blue-ribbon panel of senior advisor industry experts based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data submitted by the nominees, as well as a broker-check review. These “Aces “are widely seen as the future leaders of the retirement plan advisor industry.

Nominations Solicited – May 16

Nominations Close – August 29

Voting Opens – October 7

Voting Closes – October 31

Winners Announced – November 14

Coverage in NNTM – Spring 2026

Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Advisors
The Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Advisors is an independent listing produced annually by the Financial Times. The FT 401 is based on data gathered from advisors, regulatory disclosures, and the FT’s research. The listing reflects each advisor’s status in six primary areas: DC plan assets under management (AUM), DC AUM growth rate, specialization in DC plans, years of experience, advanced industry credentials and compliance record. This honor is not indicative of the advisor’s future performance. Neither the advisors nor their parent firms pay a fee to the Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in the FT 401.



The formula the FT uses to grade advisers is based on seven factors and calculates a score for each adviser. The factors were: DC assets under management(AUM), which signals experience (DC-plan AUM accounted for about 55 per cent of each adviser’s score on average). Specialisation in the DC business, which is measured by what percentage of the overall assets managed by the adviser are in DC plans, and how that concentration has changed. (About a third of the score is based on the concentration of the adviser’s overall business in serving DC plans, combined with the growth in the adviser’s DC business.) Growth rate in DC plan business measured by changes in both DC plan clients and assets. Growth is a proxy for performance as well as for client retention and ability to draw new business. Years of experience advising DC plans, which indicates experience of managing DC plan assets in different economic and market environments. Industry certifications, which show the technical knowledge that is important in the complicated DC plan industry. Participation rate in DC plans advised. This looks at effectiveness by measuring the portion of employees participating. Compliance record, because a string of client complaints can signal problems.