If you haven't heard, Carnegie's own Wendy Eldridge was just named PLANADVISER's Adviser of the Year in the Plan Participant Services category. We couldn't be prouder! It's a reflection of the hard work and genuine dedication she brings to her clients every single day. Way to go, Wendy!"

Now that the confetti has settled, we wanted to get curious about the why. What makes an adviser or firm the best? What makes clients so thrilled with their service that they go out of their way to nominate them for an award? And what should HR professionals and plan sponsors everywhere be looking for when they ask if their adviser is truly delivering?

The answer is an adviser who knows how to show up for your employees, not just your plan.

Beneficiary designations are one of the most important and most overlooked parts of retirement planning.

For employees, they determine who receives retirement assets. For HR teams and plan sponsors, they help ensure a smoother experience for participants and their families.

Because these decisions are often made once during enrollment and never revisited, outdated or incomplete information can surface during moments when clarity matters most. The good news is that many common beneficiary mistakes are easy to prevent.

Here are the most common issues we see and how to avoid them.

Who’s legally responsible when your 401(k) plan gets hit with a lawsuit—your company, or your advisor?
And is your advisor someone who takes accountability, or someone who simply makes suggestions and walks away?