Granite Group Advisors

01/22/2026

The continuing labor shortage has created competition for employers to attract talent. The number one benefit that employees are drawn to are retirement plans. According to a Fidelity study, 44% of all employers want to partner with a firm who will give direct investment advice to their employees. Do you want to attract and maintain employees?

Granite is an Investment Fiduciary that goes way beyond putting up a list of funds to buy. Employee education goes a long way, that is, true education – not simply tools or fact sheets. When an employee knows they have access to the fiduciaries directly, they are more confident in their financial future and perform better as a result. We also specialize in employee investment education.

Below is what was sent out to all employers and their employees this past Tuesday.

The news over the weekend with the US increasing tariffs on European nations over the acquisition of Greenland, is causing a negative reaction around the world in stock and bond markets. At Granite, we are guided to look at the fundamentals of markets. Historically, politics will affect markets to the positive and negative in the short-term. Today is to the negative. We mentioned in the quarterly commentary: “Equities, if earnings rate continues, can certainly have a nice year but it will be more volatile than usual due to the high valuation starting point for all stocks”

The markets are trading at a premium to their forward historical valuations. While we would not sell, any further deterioration in stock prices, to a more normal valuation, would be a good time to buy.

Please call or email to demo an investment education engagement tool that you have not seen before.

12/09/2025

Retirement readiness is improving, but there’s a bigger story behind the numbers

Fidelity reports that average retirement account balances have reached a record $138,000, driven by strong markets and consistent savings habits. Employees contribute an average of 9.5%, with employers adding 4.7%. Vanguard also notes participation at an all-time high of 85%, a promising indicator of progress.

A new report by PGIM shows how powerful employer signaling can be. Among current employees, 62% say they’re highly likely to stay in the plan if they believe that’s their employer’s preference, compared to just 34% if they think their employer wants them to exit at retirement.

This raises an important question:

Does hiring an independent fiduciary signal that an employer wants participants to stay in the plan, and is truly committed to supporting their retirement journey?

There are signs employers are leaning that way.

Goldman’s January report on DC trends shows OCIO/Fiduciary Services AUM more than doubling, ($232B in 2018 to $581B by the end of 2024). This growth correlates with rising pre-retiree readiness. Still, challenges remain, particularly for retirees facing significant inflation. Hospital Services and Medical Care inflation: (272% and 123% since 2000).

If employees don’t expect to remain in a plan after retirement, perhaps because they perceive it as lacking key features, they may contribute only “up to the match.”

When professional management is available, however, they can gain greater confidence not only in their contributions, but in their overall financial wellness.

If your company is relying on an off-the-shelf retirement plan, now is the time to consider bringing in an independent fiduciary advisor.

12/02/2025

Employees want support—and it matters more than ever.

87% of employees are more likely to stay with an employer that offers investment help resources. Yet many smaller record-keepers don’t provide customized messaging for employees.

GGA Retirement brings large-plan benefits to smaller plans, helping employees get the guidance they deserve.

👉 Give your team the support they need, call 203-210-7814 or schedule a meeting https://hubs.la/Q03WsD1s0

Speak with an expert. Go here to schedule a call back or book an appointment. Save Time | Improve Employee Outcomes | Conflict-Free | 401(k) Fiduciary | 401(k) PEP

11/26/2025

Can one-on-one communication drive higher employee satisfaction?

It raises an important consideration for employers and plan fiduciaries.

Does routing your employees to an 800-number or an overseas call center truly count as guidance (or is it just a security risk)?

Many providers present call-center access as “help”, but the difference between general information and meaningful direction is not always clear. Call-center representatives are typically limited to standardized explanations. They can point to a target-date fund based on age, but they cannot discuss broader situations.

If the goal is to improve employee outcomes, communication needs to be interactive. Real engagement happens when employees can ask questions and receive clarity that reflects where they are. Call-scripts, age-based fund suggestions, and automated allocations are not sufficient.

As organizations continue to optimize benefits programs, how guidance is delivered matters more than the platform.

Senior leaders need to evaluate how guidance is delivered to their workforce. If you want a partner that prioritizes communication and employee clarity, email [email protected].

11/20/2025

How is AI is moving through the alternatives ecosystem?

It’s involvement in market structure, commodities, and private markets is growing. However, pre-set frameworks and regulations may limit cases to further use.

Cboe forex data showed a rise in electronic trading activity in October, with spot average daily volume (~$52b) almost 21% higher than 10/2024 (~$43b). This may signal deeper adoption of recent technologies and improved ex*****on quality. Data-driven strategies have been standard. AI is now supporting ex*****on, analytics, and information processing.

Private equity firms are focusing on platforms that streamline cash flow modeling, quarterly valuations, and portfolio reporting. Technology is allowing for faster data extraction, with firms reporting 8x to 10x productivity gains amongst their software engineering teams.

CME research highlights factors driving shifts in platinum and palladium markets. The two metals may have been undervalued due to downward pressure from changing automotive trends. Recent rallies could be linked to increased demand, persistent inflation, and interest rate activity. Supply chains, demand trends, and investor behavior can now be analyzed using machine learning.

Unique drivers will continue to play the important role and can't always be predicted.

AI is not replacing human decision-making, but it could widen the gap between firms that use it and those that do not. For alternative asset managers, the question is no longer whether these tools could play a role. It is when adoption becomes unavoidable.

Will the hype slow down, or will practical advantages continue to grow?
👉Post your thoughts below.

11/14/2025

Wells Fargo’s $84M ERISA settlement over its 401(k)-plan stock is a fresh reminder: fiduciary governance isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about protecting trust.

The class action alleged the use of employees’ stock dividends to meet its 401(k)-match obligations.

When employer stock or dividends enter a plan, the margin for error shrinks. Oversight, independence, and process aren’t optional, they’re essential.

Fiduciary duty isn’t a reaction. It’s a discipline, the safeguard for participants and reputations alike.

If your plan hasn’t had an independent (not on your vendor shortlist) review this year, now’s the time to take a fresh look.

11/12/2025

Capital, Concentration, and the New Frontier of Wealth

📈Allocations continue to climb.

Investor exposure to alternatives rose from 20.6% in 2020 to 23.0% in 2024, according to Preqin. Forecasts suggest global alternative assets could reach $32 trillion dollars by 2030. This pace of growth may signal a lasting redefinition of portfolio construction among the world’s largest investors.

⚓Infrastructure is emerging.

Returns of 8.9% over the past three years have coincided with accelerating investment in energy transition and AI-driven infrastructure. These trends are less about short-term performance and more about positioning capital where global systems are being rebuilt.

↔️Dispersion shaping opportunity.

Venture capital continues to absorb capital at record speed. With over 6,500 AI-related deals valued at $231 billion dollars this year, the innovation cycle remains strong.

The challenge for capital allocators may be less about finding access and more about selection, deciding which exposures truly deserve to be held.

How are you thinking about diversification and durability in this new cycle?

📞 (203) 210-7814 | ✉️ [email protected]

11/07/2025

Part 3: The New Balancing Act | Yield, Liquidity, Accountability.

Private equity is moving closer to 401(k) plans, even with 2025 Q1&2 fundraising at its weakest since the pandemic, PEI reports.

Yet Minnesota’s State Board of Investment just gave its CIO $750 million in private-market discretion, some see slowdown, others see setup. (Private Equity International).

Meanwhile, IBM faces a $1.9 billion lawsuit over underperforming target-date funds, showing how even liquid, daily-priced assets can expose fiduciaries. (PLANSPONSOR).

If daily-priced funds create legal risk, what happens when illiquid private equity enters target-date funds?

Private equity promises growth, but inside retirement plans, it also imports opacity.

10/31/2025

Part 2: Private Equity vs. Annuity Liquidity Concerns: Will Legacy Vendors Get Dropped in Favor of Private Equity?

Possibly, but there are factors to consider.

There’s no shortage of masks this time of year. Some legacy providers may be doing the same, hiding old structures under a new one and rebranding old products as “new.”

Private equity is moving closer to 401(k) menus. It has appeal: growth potential, differentiation, institutional credibility.

But it comes with a catch: liquidity.

Stable value funds and annuities already rely on lockups to stay predictable. Add private equity, and you stack illiquidity inside a participant-driven vehicle.

That raises bigger questions:

▪️Who adapts faster, the insurers managing stable value funds, or the employers?
▪️Will insurance companies continue offering new stable value products?
▪️Will employers offer both, or choose one over the other?

If insurers hold the line, employers may be the ones driving change.

Either way, participants are caught between stability and opacity.

Fiduciaries need to ask: Are we improving retirement readiness, or just dressing risk up differently?

💬 Time will tell whether employers or insurers make the first move.

10/28/2025

🚨 Are Your Clients’ Retirement Accounts Stuck in “Junk IRAs”? 🚨

Many small 401(k) balances are being automatically rolled into “safe harbor” IRAs, intended to be a temporary solution but often turning into long-term traps. 📉

According to PensionBee and EBRI data, the stats are alarming:

▪️2 million accounts/year are forced into safe harbor IRAs through 2030
▪️13 million accounts totaling a staggering $43 billion are at risk
▪️Multiple rollovers over a career can lead to up to $90,000 in lost growth

What’s the culprit? High fees and ultra-conservative funds. These small balances quietly erode over time, leaving clients stranded in their retirement planning.

💡 Advisors, plan sponsors, and employers: proactive account management is not optional, it’s crucial for your clients and employees’ financial futures!

Looking for a wide-scale solution to reclaim lost growth and efficiently manage leftover accounts?

📞 Reach out at (203) 210-7814, email [email protected] or send us a message. We'll help you take action.

10/24/2025

Private Equity and “Daily Pricing”?

It may sound like progress for transparency, until you look closer.

Private equity is illiquid and long-term. It has no live market price. Any “daily” figure may just be a modeled estimate, not a true market value.

Some suggest moving 401(k)s to monthly transaction cycles to accommodate private assets. That may help stabilize withdrawals, but it can also come with trade-offs:

▪️Reduced liquidity for participants
▪️Added administrative complexity
▪️Disclosure documents participants may not fully understand

Potential risks of daily/monthly valuations:

Short-termism vs. long-term strategy: Frequent reporting can lead to adjustments in timing or assumptions for valuations, potentially making reported results less reflective of the underlying fundamentals (similar to the debate around quarterly vs. semi-annual corporate reporting).

Mark-to-model risks: Frequent appraisals can create more variability in reported values, potentially affecting fund-level decisions and corporate behavior.

Behavioral & double-illiquidity risk: Stable value funds, annuities, and other “locked” products restrict access to protect fund stability, terms participants generally accept for predictability.

In plans that already include these products, adding private equity with similar restrictions further increases the total portion of the portfolio that is illiquid. Plan sponsors should carefully consider how much of the portfolio can reasonably be “locked up.”

Private equity can offer diversification and upside, but in retirement plans it must be introduced strategically, with careful attention to valuation, liquidity, and incentives.

💬 What do you think? Are daily or monthly valuations a step forward, or a risk to long-term outcomes? Share your thoughts below. 👇

10/22/2025

Do you want a one-size-fits-all NYS government plan or a retirement plan managed by experienced professionals who tailor solutions for your company and employees?

If your business has 100+ employees or $5M+ in plan assets, Granite Group Advisors and GGA Retirement can design a plan that meets your goals and exceeds compliance requirements.

We help you understand the difference between a professional investment fiduciary and a standard advisor and show the additional benefits a customized plan can deliver.

We also partner with other advisors to ensure your team gets the best outcome.

💡 Learn how a fiduciary-managed plan can make a real difference for your business and employees.

Give us a call at (203) 210-7814, email [email protected], or book an appointment here to get started.