If you're not talking to your clients about Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBAs), someone else will. As demand rises for more flexible, personalized retirement strategies, SDBAs are quickly moving from “nice to have” to “need to offer.” But not all SDBAs are created equal, and that's where AssetMark sets itself apart.
What’s an SDBA—and Why Should You Care?
An SDBA is a brokerage window within an employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k), 401(a), 457 or 403(b), that allows participants to invest in a broader range of securities beyond the plan’s standard lineup. AssetMark’s SDBA is advisor-directed, meaning you can guide the investment strategy for your clients.
Here’s the kicker: you can manage assets inside a client’s retirement plan without transferring the plan or onboarding a new household. That means more potential AUM without adding clients to your book—and more opportunities to deepen relationships with the clients you already have.
Why Now?
Roughly 73% of retirement plan participants say they want personalized advice (Schwab 401K Participant Survey, 2023). They're done with cookie-cutter target-date funds and are looking for more control, better tax management, and investment flexibility. SDBAs unlock that potential and advisors who serve them stand out from the pack.
What Makes AssetMark’s SDBA Different
While other platforms provide SDBA access, AssetMark’s approach is built around advisor and client experience and support:
- Advisor-Directed, Not DIY: Unlike participant-directed SDBAs, AssetMark’s version gives you input over investment management. You can apply your expertise while the client benefits from personalized oversight.
- Integrated and Efficient: With AssetMark’s Wealth Management platform, you can see and manage clients’ retirement plan assets alongside other accounts all in one place.
- Comprehensive Advisor Support: AssetMark provides implementation guides, training webinars, and live support so you can scale your retirement service with confidence.
Grow Assets, Not Headcount
SDBAs are a scalable way to grow your AUM without adding new clients. You’re not trying to transfer the entire retirement plan; you’re managing individual accounts within the plan. It’s a backdoor into assets you previously couldn’t reach. For many advisors, it’s also the first step toward becoming the go-to retirement resource for clients who didn’t even know this option existed.
Real Differentiation: Personalization
With direct indexing and strategies now accessible in SDBAs, you can make available customized portfolios using individual securities, something most retirement plans simply can’t do. AssetMark makes it easy to bring these solutions into qualified plans, to enhance your clients' retirement plans.
The Bottom Line
If you want to:
- Grow assets without growing headcount,
- Deliver personalized retirement strategies,
- Stand out in a crowded advisor marketplace, then AssetMark’s SDBA solution belongs in your toolkit.
Retirement accounts are often a client’s largest asset, but they’ve also been one of the hardest to influence. SDBAs change that. And AssetMark makes it easier than ever to take advantage.
Let’s Talk.
Learn how to integrate AssetMark’s SDBA solution into your retirement business and turn inaccessible plan assets into managed AUM.
AssetMark, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more complete information about the various investment solutions available, including the investment objectives, risks, and fees, please refer to the Disclosure Brochure and applicable Fund Prospectus. Please read them carefully before investing. For a copy, please contact AssetMark.
