Partner Profile: Qualified Plan Administrators, Inc.
Andy Scheu • October 18, 2024

Navigating Retirement Plans with Qualified Plan Administrators, Inc.

Creating the ideal retirement plan for small or medium-sized businesses can be challenging. That's where Qualified Plan Administrators, Inc. (QPA), based in Johnson City, Tennessee, comes in. With over 20 years of experience in consulting and third-party administration, QPA is your go-to partner. They not only ensure that your retirement plans meet legal regulations, but they also tailor these plans to meet your business's unique needs. Whether you're setting up a new plan or refining an existing one, QPA is committed to helping you and your employees maximize your retirement savings. Let's take a closer look at how QPA can make retirement planning stress-free.

Why QPA Stands Out

If you're searching for guidance and clarity in setting up or modifying a retirement plan, especially for small or medium-sized businesses, feel confident turning to Qualified Plan Administrators, Inc. (QPA). With more than two decades of expertise, QPA specializes in providing third-party administration and consulting services. They ensure your retirement plans not only comply with regulations but also suit your business's specific needs.

What Services Does QPA Offer?

QPA offers a broad range of services, from designing and consulting on retirement plans to handling daily administration tasks. They prioritize effective communication and education about your plans, aiming to provide objective and expert advice that allows businesses and employees to make the most of their retirement plans.

1. Design and Consulting Services

Creating a retirement plan is more than just crunching numbers. It's about understanding your company's goals and aligning the plan to meet those targets. QPA provides:

  • Plan Document Creation and Maintenance: QPA works with you to design documents that clearly outline your plan, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
  • Legal Research and Compliance: With tax laws and labor regulations constantly changing, QPA helps ensure your plans are up to date with IRS and Department of Labor requirements. This includes handling mergers, acquisitions, or plan terminations with care.
  • Summary Plan Descriptions and Administrative Forms: These essential documents help communicate the structure and benefits of your retirement plans to employees, ensuring everyone is well-informed.

2. Plan Administration Expertise

Managing a retirement plan involves more than just setting it up. It requires ongoing oversight, which can be daunting. That's where QPA steps in, providing:

  • Benefit Calculations and Account Reconciliation: They accurately calculate benefits for participants leaving the plan and ensure accounts are balanced and up-to-date.
  • Compliance and Non-Discrimination Testing: QPA conducts regular tests to ensure fairness and compliance with required standards.
  • IRS and DOL Filings: They manage all necessary governmental filings, keeping your plan in line with legal requirements.
  • Participant Loan Administration and Assistance: This involves preparing essential documentation and helping with tax paperwork like 1099R forms.

3. Education and Communication

The success of a retirement plan often depends on how well-informed participants are. QPA understands that education is crucial and offers:

  • Employee Enrollment Meetings: These sessions are designed to boost participation and understanding, ensuring employees fully benefit from available plans.
  • Continuous Participant Updates: QPA maintains communication with employees about updates or new features related to their plans.

Why Choose QPA?

One distinct advantage of QPA is their independence. As one QPA representative explains, "Since we do not sell any products, we can serve as an unbiased resource that coordinates the parties in the development of a company's retirement plan." Because QPA doesn't sell investment products or manage money, their advice remains objective, free from conflicts of interest that might arise with firms tied to specific products. This impartiality means you can trust the advice you receive for planning your future.

Moreover, QPA collaborates with a wide network of local banks, brokerage firms, mutual fund wholesalers, insurance companies, and accounting firms. This network enhances their ability to provide expert advice tailored to your specific needs.

How Can You Get in Touch?

If QPA sounds like the firm you need, they're easy to contact. You can reach them at debbie@qpafirm.com or call (423) 283-4026. Their office is located at 332 E. Springbrook Drive, Suite 400, Johnson City, TN 37601.

Final Thoughts

Qualified Plan Administrators, Inc. offers comprehensive services that help you establish effective retirement plans and ensure their smooth operation year after year. From keeping your plans compliant with legal standards to administering them efficiently and educating your employees on their benefits, QPA is equipped to handle all aspects with professionalism and care.

Choosing a dedicated third-party administrator like QPA means you're not just investing in a service, but in a lasting partnership focused on your business's and your employees' futures. Consider QPA not just as a service provider but as a crucial part of your team, ready to support the financial goals of your business and its valued employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a plan administrator do? A plan administrator manages and oversees a retirement plan, ensuring it complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes handling day-to-day operations like record-keeping, filing necessary reports, and communicating with plan participants.
  • What is an example of a qualified plan? A qualified plan meets the guidelines set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and offers tax benefits. An example is a 401(k), which allows employees to save for retirement using pre-tax income.
  • Is my 401(k) a qualified plan? Yes, a 401(k) is considered a qualified plan because it meets specific IRS requirements, making it eligible for certain tax benefits, such as contributing with pre-tax dollars.
  • Is a plan administrator the same as a TPA? While a plan administrator and a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) might perform similar functions, they are not the same. A plan administrator is responsible for the operation of the retirement plan, while a TPA is hired to assist with the plan's management and compliance tasks.


Contact Us

By Andy Scheu September 22, 2025
Learn how Time & Pay’s PTO accrual tracking system helps employees see real-time balances, request time off, and avoid scheduling conflicts with ease.
By Andy Scheu September 17, 2025
Discover how Time & Pay helps FedEx contractors overcome payroll and HR challenges with guaranteed tax compliance, workers’ comp administration, and expert HR support.
Doll hands hold tiles spelling
By Andy Scheu September 4, 2025
The recently introduced One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act) brings significant changes for businesses employing tipped workers. A key provision is the “no tax on tips” rule , which removes certain federal tax liabilities for qualified tips. However, not all employees or industries qualify, so it’s essential to understand how this impacts your workforce. To qualify: Tips must be received in an occupation that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024 . Certain fields— healthcare, athletics, and the performing arts —are specifically carved out and do not qualify. Employers must be able to identify if their employees fall into one of the designated Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOCs) . 📋 Full List of Eligible Tipped Occupations  Below is the complete preliminary list of occupations the Treasury and IRS have identified as customarily tipped roles. Each entry includes the TTOC code, occupation title, description, examples, and related SOC codes . This list is expected to form the basis of official IRS regulations. 🍽️ Beverage & Food Service 101 – Bartenders | Mix and serve drinks (barkeep, sommelier) | SOC 35-3011 102 – Wait Staff | Serve food & beverages to patrons (cocktail waitress) | SOC 35-3031 103 – Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | Serve outside restaurant (room service, beer cart) | SOC 35-3041 104 – Dining Room & Cafeteria Attendants/Bartender Helpers | Clean, reset, assist | SOC 35-9011 105 – Chefs & Cooks | Prepare/cook meals (chef, caterer, food truck cook) | SOC 35-1011, 35-2011, etc. 106 – Food Prep Workers | Prep cold foods, slice meats | SOC 35-1012, 35-2021 107 – Fast Food & Counter Workers | Serve at counters, may prep | SOC 35-3023 108 – Dishwashers | Clean dishes & equipment | SOC 35-9021 109 – Host Staff | Welcome/seat patrons (maître d’) | SOC 35-9031 110 – Bakers | Bake breads, pastries | SOC 51-3011 🎲 Entertainment & Events 201 – Gambling Dealers | Operate games of chance | SOC 39-3011 202 – Gambling Change Persons & Cashiers | Exchange money, tokens | SOC 41-2012 203 – Gambling Cage Workers | Handle casino financials | SOC 43-3041 204 – Gambling & Sports Book Writers/Runners | Take bets, operate keno/bingo | SOC 39-3012 205 – Dancers | Perform dances | SOC 27-2031 206 – Musicians & Singers | Play instruments, sing | SOC 27-2042 207 – DJs (Non-Radio) | Play music for live audiences | SOC 27-2091 208 – Entertainers/Performers | Comedians, magicians, clowns | SOC 27-2099 209 – Digital Content Creators | Streamers, influencers | SOC 27-2099 210 – Ushers/Ticket Takers | Assist patrons at events | SOC 39-3031 211 – Locker/Coatroom Attendants | Provide personal item service | SOC 39-3093 🏨 Hospitality & Guest Services 301 – Baggage Porters/Bellhops | Handle luggage | SOC 39-6011 302 – Concierges | Assist guests with services | SOC 39-6012 303 – Hotel/Resort Desk Clerks | Register, check in/out guests | SOC 43-4081 304 – Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners | Clean hotel rooms | SOC 37-2012 🏡 Home Services 401 – Home Maintenance/Repair Workers | Handyman, roofer, painter | SOC 49-9071 402 – Landscaping/Groundskeeping Workers | Lawn/garden maintenance | SOC 37-3011 403 – Home Electricians | Install/repair wiring | SOC 47-2111 404 – Home Plumbers | Install/repair pipes | SOC 47-2152 405 – HVAC Mechanics/Installers | Heating/AC repair | SOC 49-9021 406 – Appliance Installers/Repairers | Fix/install household appliances | SOC 49-9031 407 – Home Cleaning Workers | House/pool/carpet cleaners | SOC 37-2012 408 – Locksmiths | Keys, locks, safes | SOC 49-9094 409 – Roadside Assistance Workers | Tow truck, tire repair | SOC 49-3023, 53-3032 👤 Personal Services 501 – Personal Care & Service Workers | Aides, butlers, companions | SOC 31-1122 502 – Private Event Planners | Wedding/party planning | SOC 13-1121 503 – Private Event/Portrait Photographers | Wedding/headshot photography | SOC 27-4021 504 – Private Event Videographers | Record events | SOC 27-4031 505 – Event Officiants | Weddings/funerals officiants | SOC 21-2010 506 – Pet Caretakers | Groomers, walkers, sitters | SOC 39-2021 507 – Tutors | Academic tutoring | SOC 25-3041 508 – Nannies/Babysitters | Child care | SOC 39-9011 💇 Personal Appearance & Wellness 601 – Skincare Specialists | Facials, esthetics | SOC 39-5094 602 – Massage Therapists | Therapeutic massage | SOC 31-9011 603 – Barbers/Hairdressers/Cosmetologists | Hair & barber services | SOC 39-5011 604 – Shampooers | Shampoo/rinse hair | SOC 39-5093 605 – Manicurists/Pedicurists | Nail care | SOC 39-5092 606 – Eyebrow Technicians | Threading, waxing | SOC 39-5091 607 – Makeup Artists | Design/apply looks | SOC 39-9031 608 – Fitness Trainers/Instructors | Personal/group exercise | SOC 27-1019 609 – Tattoo Artists & Piercers | Tattoos, body piercing | SOC 51-6052 610 – Tailors | Garment fitting, repair | SOC 51-6041 611 – Shoe/Leather Workers & Repairers | Cobbler, shoe shiner | SOC 39-5012 🎓 Recreation & Instruction 701 – Golf Caddies | Assist golfers | SOC 39-3091 702 – Self-Enrichment Teachers | Piano, art, knitting instructors | SOC 25-3021 703 – Recreational/Tour Pilots | Helicopter/balloon tours | SOC 25-3021 704 – Tour Guides/Escorts | Sightseeing/museum guides | SOC 39-7011 705 – Travel Guides | Expeditions, cruises | SOC 39-7012 706 – Sports & Recreation Instructors | Ski, dive, surf instructors | SOC 53-2012 🚗 Transportation & Delivery 801 – Parking/Valet Attendants | Park/tend vehicles | SOC 53-6021 802 – Taxi/Rideshare Drivers & Chauffeurs | Transport passengers | SOC 53-3054 803 – Shuttle Drivers | Scheduled route drivers | SOC 53-3053 804 – Goods Delivery People | Deliver goods/packages | SOC 53-3031 805 – Vehicle & Equipment Cleaners | Car wash/detailers | SOC 53-7061 806 – Private/Charter Bus Drivers | Motor coach/tour bus | SOC 53-3052 807 – Water Taxi/Charter Boat Workers | Operate boats | SOC 53-5022 808 – Rickshaw/Pedicab/Carriage Drivers | Bike taxis, horse carriages | SOC 53-6099 809 – Home Movers | Furniture movers | SOC 53-7062 ✅ What Employers Should Do Now Review Employee Roles – Determine if any fall under the TTOC list. Adjust Payroll Processes – Coordinate with your payroll provider to ensure compliance with new tip tax rules. Stay Updated – Treasury/IRS will finalize regulations soon, and some occupations may be clarified or excluded. Educate Managers & Staff – Make sure supervisors understand how tips are treated under the new law. 🔗 Resources Official Treasury & IRS Guidance (forthcoming)