FAQs PDF  | Print |  E-mail

Icon_Info_IQ: Who is BeManaged?

A: BeManaged, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was created for the sole purpose of managing and advising employees’ portfolios while they are enrolled in their company’s 401(k) plan. BeManaged was developed with the unique goal of providing 401(k) participants a level of portfolio management and service typically reserved for multi-million dollar accounts. Actium LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor and 100% fee-based which allows us to be completely unbiased in the management and advice we provide to participants.
Understanding what we do and do NOT provide are equally important. We do NOT sell investment or insurance products, nor do we sell retirement plans. Therefore, we spend our time focusing on client portfolios and service quality. As our client, you will NEVER receive a request from us to sell you any additional financial services.

Q: What does BeManaged or BeAdvised do for me?

A: We have two programs that are available.

BeManaged, our “do-it-for-you” account management flagship program, provides full management of your 401(k) account. We select the most appropriate funds in your plan for each asset class and develop an asset allocation specific to your age, time horizon, expectations for the account and tolerance for risk. On average, we make between two to five changes per year in your account, including rebalances and reallocations specific to the market and the funds’ reactions to the market.
We combine that management with a high-touch communication approach to keep you informed throughout the year. It begins with a Personal Investment Policy Statement, outlining the plans for the management of your account as well as a “Before and After” report. Throughout the year, we send four to six communications updating you on the particulars of your portfolio. Finally, we provide a Personal Annual Review to ensure you are on track by reviewing your performance, retirement income projections, and risk profile.

BeAdvised, our “advise-you-what-to-do” program, sends you our portfolio recommendations so that you can continue to manage the account on your own with the advantage of a professional opinion on how to do so. The BeAdvised program also includes the Personal Investment Policy Statement, proactive communications throughout the year, and Personal Annual Review. BeAdvised is best suited for highly engaged investors that have the time to take action on their account. We do not recommend BeAdvised to people that do not constantly monitor their account or have their 401(k) login information readily available. Advice is only worth something if it is put in place, so we do not want to collect fees without providing value.

Q: How do I pay for the service if I want to use it?

A: The applicable fee for BeManaged or BeAdvised is deducted from your 401(k) account on a quarterly basis, so there is no out-of-pocket expense or payroll deduction for using the service of your choice.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Our unique capped fee schedule may be different from company to company, based on your company's retirement plan dynamics and company demographics. Visit your company's dedicated BeManaged site (www.bemanagednow.com/yourcompany) for pricing details.

Q: I work with a financial advisor who reviews my 401(k). Why would I use BeManaged or BeAdvised instead of his/her recommendations?

A: Many of our clients work with financial advisors for their outside assets. Financial advisors that review the service we provide for our clients’ 401(k)s are often relieved and impressed that we are able to manage what for most people is their largest financial asset. The service is actually recommended by most advisors that understand what we are providing to their clients. In our experience, the only time advisors do not recommend our solution for their clients is when they do not understand what we provide.

Q: What can we expect from BeManaged?

One-on-One Consultations and Free 401(k) Analysis
We will be providing one-on-one consultations, including an analysis of your 401(k) to help you understand what you are or are not doing with your account and if further service is needed beyond your current action plan.

Ongoing, Personalized Communications

In an effort to keep you informed of what is happening with your account, we proactively reach out to you with updates specific to your individual account, not just general newsletters. On average, we send between four to six communications per year. In reality, clients find our communication is just as important as the management of your account.

Constant Monitoring & Portfolio Management or Advice
Our research team will actively manage your retirement account and make adjustments as market conditions warrant, including rebalances and reallocations. Alterations to the investment options in the plan are evaluated for the benefit they may add to your account. These changes are made on an as-needed basis specific to the criteria of your Personal Investment Policy Statement; we are not a calendar-based rebalancing program.

A New Level of Personal Service for your 401(k)
We are a personal fiduciary for your 401(k). Our legal and ethical responsibilities include acting solely on your behalf and in your best interest. Our clients appreciate having a partner with aligned interests - helping them reach their retirement goals.

Q: How do I sign up?

One-on-One Personal 401(k) Consultation
We will be available for personal one-on-one consultations depending on the times established by your company's benefits department. You can also contact us at (888) 738-8780 or locally in Grand Rapids at (616) 871-0751 to learn when we will next be at your company's location. Spouses are more than welcome to attend.

401(k) Workshops
We will also be conducting retirement workshops (schedule to be announced and available online at www.bemanagednow.com/yourcompany). Workshops will include "Investing 101-301" and "Saving for Your Future," among others. Again, spouses are welcome to attend. The workshops will range from 20-45 minutes so to fit into your busy schedule. Risk Counselors will be available to help you with questions about your 401(k) and the BeManaged|BeAdvised services.

Personal Phone Consultation
If you do not want to wait, or your schedule does not permit to meet with a risk counselor when we are at your facility, feel free to call us. Our dedicated staff can walk you through a consultation over the phone. In Grand Rapids locations, we can schedule a personal consultation that is more convenient for your schedule. You can contact us at (888) 738-8780 or locally in Grand Rapids at (616) 871-0751.

On-line
If you would prefer to enroll on-line, instructions on how to do so can be found at www.bemanagednow.com/enrollnow . You can also visit this site to schedule a meeting with a risk counselor or learn the next time we will be at your location.

Q: Can I cancel the service?

A. Yes. There are no termination fees and you can do so easily by phone or e-mail. You are not bound by any contract period.

Q: Can I ask the research department questions about the investments in my account or the allocation of my account?

A. Absolutely. They look forward to providing you personalized feedback specific to your account. In addition, members of our research team will periodically be at company locations. You can call or e-mail them directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Q: How often do you make changes?

A. On average, we make between two to five changes per year, depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, the behavior of the investment options in your company's retirement plan, etc.

Q: Can I change my investment profile?

A. Definitely. During the Personal Annual Review, we encourage our clients to review their profile to ensure it is consistent with their current situation as life changes from year to year. Your profile is 100% dependent on your individual preferences, and we will manage your account accordingly. Emotional decisions are one of the major mistakes investors make; your investor profile helps to avoid decisions driven by current market circumstances.

Q: Can you help me understand how much I should be saving?

A. You can control two things with your 401(k), the amount of risk you take and how much you contribute. We will provide you projections of your retirement picture whenever you would like so to ensure you are saving the appropriate amount.


 
More Info

True Independent Fiduciary

As an investment fiduciary we are legally bound not to accept monies or rewards that in any way compromise the advice or management we provide for our clients. We are 100% independent and unbiased because we do not accept any revenue from investment or insurance companies, which allows us to always act in our clients' best interests, not our own.

Experience and Expertise

Experience or expertise, which would you rather have in your personal investment manager?

We have both. Our head of Research is a 24 year CFA charter holder, the highest standard in the industry for investment management and portfolio analysis.

Unsubscribe from Fiduciary Forum Emails

Unsubscribe from our newsletter