For many small to midsized businesses, building or improving retirement plans for propane companies often gets pushed aside. It’s not that owners fail to see the value; instead, immediate priorities often win out. With driver shortages, technician turnover and regulatory issues such as tariffs, many leadership teams remain focused on keeping operations on track.
But here’s the reality: A retirement plan is more than just a benefit — it’s a business asset. When done correctly, it helps you recruit and retain employees, reduce taxes and build long-term wealth. And it doesn’t need to be complicated, especially if you have the right financial adviser and plan team by your side.
Retirement Plans: More Than Just a Perk
A retirement plan is one of the most powerful tools a propane business can use. Some of the benefits include:
- Supporting employee savings: Whether your team includes younger workers just entering the workforce or seasoned employees nearing retirement, offering them a well-structured plan provides them with a smart way to save.
- Building owner wealth: As a business owner, having the right plan helps you build personal retirement savings and lower your tax liability.
- Improving recruitment and retention: In today’s job market, competitive benefits matter. A strong plan helps to attract high-quality candidates and reduce costly turnover.
- Boosting productivity: Financially secure employees are more focused, engaged and committed to the business.
This is especially relevant in the propane industry, where many employees stay with their company for decades. A retirement plan sends the message that you’re committed to employees’ long-term well-being. Offering a quality plan is something larger competitors and national energy providers often use to their advantage.
Why the Right Financial Adviser Can Make a Difference
Creating a retirement plan for your employees isn’t just about checking a box. It takes strategy, customization and ongoing oversight. Just remember that you don’t need to manage the plan alone.
Working with a financial adviser who has a dedicated retirement plan team is valuable. Together, they bring the tools, experience and structure you need to help create a plan tailored to your organization. They also stay with you and remain committed to keeping it running smoothly over time.
Here’s what a strong retirement plan team can help deliver:
1. Plan Design That Works for You
Your propane business has unique needs. Maybe you want to reward long-term employees with profit sharing. Perhaps you’re looking for a safe harbor 401(k) to simplify compliance. The right advising team will walk you through plan options aligned with your workforce, budget and long-term goals.
For example, a company with seasonal workers may need a plan that limits eligibility to full-time employees while still meeting IRS nondiscrimination rules. A family-run distributor may consider a defined benefit or cash balance plan to supercharge owner savings during peak earning years. There is no one size that fits all; flexibility is key.
2. Vendor Coordination & Cost Management
It takes multiple parties to effectively run a retirement plan: recordkeepers, custodians and also third-party administrators. Your retirement plan team can help you select the right vendors, coordinate their services and regularly benchmark fees to keep the plan cost-effective.
This coordination results in fewer administrative headaches for internal staff and provides greater consistency for all employees.
A good team can also help ensure your plan’s documentation stays current, you meet your deadlines and reporting is complete. These are just a few of the areas where many small businesses may fall short without realizing it.
3. Fiduciary Risk Management
As a plan sponsor, you carry important fiduciary responsibilities. That means you must always act in the best interests of your plan participants. Failing to meet those obligations can carry serious consequences.
A financial adviser with a retirement plan team can help reduce that risk by:
- Monitoring investments and maintaining documentation
- Drafting and updating your Investment Policy Statement
- Leading regular plan reviews and fee benchmarking
- Providing fiduciary services under ERISA 3(21) or 3(38) to share or offload investment oversight
- Managing administrative tasks to improve compliance
4. Employee Education & Participation
Even the best plan won’t deliver value if your employees don’t use it. That’s why education and engagement are critical. Your plan team can deliver onboarding sessions, one-on-one support, digital tools and ongoing communication to help participants understand their options and stay involved.
Higher participation not only benefits your workforce, but it also strengthens the plan itself. This helps create a more valuable benefit for everyone.
Don’t Wait Until It’s a Problem
Too often, propane business owners fall into one of two traps: delaying the decision to create a plan or letting an outdated plan go unchecked. Either option can potentially cost you through missed tax savings, poor employee engagement or unnecessary administrative risk.
Instead, take a proactive approach. Consider partnering with a financial adviser who understands the demands of running a propane business and brings a dedicated retirement plan team to the table. Together, you can help build a plan designed to serve your employees, strengthen your business and help you build your financial future.
