TAIS MEP
ANotefromOurExecutiveDirector
Hello,
As a leader responsible for both the financial stewardship and long-term vision of your school, you know how important it is to offer benefits that truly support your educators— both in their daily lives and in their futures.
I’m proud of the TAIS MEP and the way it helps schools provide competitive retirement benefits while maintaining control over plan design. Most importantly, it gives educators and staff access to holistic financial advice for themselves and their families either on-site or virtually. Participants also benefit from best-in-class investment options with low fees, thanks to the power of scaled pricing.
Our MEP begins with an IRS-approved retirement plan designed specifically for independent schools. It combines that foundation with expert-led oversight, full compliance support, and a thoughtfully built investment lineup making retirement planning both accessible and effective. You retain control over eligibility rules and contribution settings, so the plan reflects your school’s unique values and goals. With tailored onboarding, a modern participant portal, and unlimited one-on-one financial advising for every employee, the TAIS MEP supports your team while simplifying your administrative burden.
I invite you to explore the brochure and reach out to a member of our MEP team to see whether this plan might be the right fit for your school. You’re also welcome to contact me directly I’d be happy to connect you with a fellow school leader whose school is already participating.
Sincerely,
Sarah Wilson Executive Director, TAIS
TheCaseforaMovetotheMEP
Retirement Plans Should Serve Your Mission – Not Strain Your Budget and Stretch Your Team
LowerCosts
Consolidatedadministrationreducesbothadministrativeandinvestment fees.Participatingschoolsreportanaveragesavingsof30%.
ReducedFiduciaryLiability
Oversight,compliance,andparticipantcommunicationareoutsourcedto experts.TAISMEPpartnerstakeon3(16)and3(38)responsibilities,and participationofteneliminatestheneedforanindividualplanaudit.
SimplifiedOversight
“The is the kind of strategic move that saves time and money – while improving plan quality and participant experience.”
September 29, Nashville, Tenn.
Late January, Nashville, Tenn.
Late February, Nashville, Tenn.
Mid-April, Nashville, Tenn.
Sharedgovernanceandconsolidatedrecordkeepingreducebusinessoffice workload.Withoneprovider,oneForm5500,andonepointofcontact,your teamspendslesstimemanagingandmoretimeleading.
ImprovedFundLineup
Accessbest-in-classinstitutionalpricingandfundoptionsthroughthescale ofamulti-schoolplan.
Customized,CompetitiveBenefits
Late October, Nashville, Tenn. September-April, Nashville, Tenn.
January-June, Nashville, Tenn. and Zoom
TheTAISMEPiscuratedspecificallyforindependentschools notretrofitted fromcorporatemodels.Participantonboarding,education,andupdatesare handledbyexperts,andeveryparticipantreceivesunlimited,on-site,one-ononefinancialadvising.
WhatYouGet
Strategic Relief. Operational Ease. Mission Alignment.
Anindependentlydesignedretirementplanwithinstitutionalpricing
Aninvestmentlineupbuiltforeducators
Outsourced,expert-ledoversightandcompliance—givingleaderspeace ofmindandmoretimetolead
Maintainedcontrolovereligibilityandcontributionsettings
Tailoredonboardingandanintuitiveportalforplanparticipants
Unlimitedone-on-onefinancialadvisingforeveryemployee
Ameaningfulinvestmentinthewell-beingofyourfaculty—anda strategicbenefitthatattractsandretainstoptalent
Late October, Nashville, Tenn.
TAIS MEP
HowItWorks
A fully integrated plan where each expert handles a key piece, so your team doesn’t have to.
RecordKeeper Hoststheparticipant website,callcenter, participant communication materials,and accountstatements.
3(16)Administrator Overseestransaction processing,plan designchanges, testingandForm5500 preparation,audit, andensuresexecution ofthe50+chores usuallyaccomplished attheplansponsor level.
3(38)PlanAdvisor ServesasanERISA 3(38)investment manager. Provides benchmarking, quarterlyinvestment reviewsand management.
September 29, Nashville, Tenn.
Late January, Nashville, Tenn.
Late February, Nashville, Tenn. Mid-April, Nashville, Tenn.
ParticipantEducation Providesplan education,investment advicetoolsand professional managementof individualparticipant accounts.
TAIS is your strategic convener—bringing independent schools together around simplified administration and a collectively enhanced value proposition. Our expert service providers are appointed by the TAIS MEP Board.
MeettheTeamBehindthePlan
SarahWilson ExecutiveDirector
TennesseeAssociationofIndependentSchools sarah@taistn.com taistn.com
September 29, Nashville, Tenn.
PeytonWade,CFP VicePresident
Late January, Nashville, Tenn.
DuncanWilliamsAssetManagement peyton@dwassetmgmt.com dwassetmgmt.com
ZachEvans Director,RetirementSolutions TIAA zevans@tiaa.org tiaa.org
JohnLow RegionalDirector Pentegra john.low@pentegra.com pentegra.com
Late February, Nashville, Tenn.
Mid-April, Nashville, Tenn.
Late October, Nashville, Tenn.
January-June, Nashville, Tenn. and Zoom