For over 20 years, Shannon and her team at TriStar Pension Consulting have acted as a secret weapon for financial advisors, CPAs, small businesses, and plan sponsors. They are the go-to resource for plan design, fixing broken retirement plans, client presentation support, and high-touch customer service.

Since starting the firm over two decades ago, her goal has been to provide a deeper level of retirement plan knowledge and service for clients, as well as a flexible workplace for employees. Today, they are one of the leading providers of retirement plan administration for small businesses.

Shannon is a credentialed member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA). She currently serves on the ASPPA Leadership Council and as a member at large on the board of directors of the American Retirement Association (ARA). Shannon co-chaired the ARA Women in Retirement Conference (WiRC) as well as the ASPPA TPA Growth Summit. She has also served on several fundraising committees and supports many non-profits locally, such as Infant Crisis Services, Make a Wish Oklahoma, and Cleats for Kids.

If you are a financial advisor, CPA, or business owner with retirement plan questions, please be sure to connect with Shannon on LinkedIn. You can also email her at [email protected].

In this episode, Eric and Shannon Edwards discuss:

• Courtroom insights reveal real fiduciary risks
• Unlicensed, unbiased guidance fills a critical gap
• Military backgrounds bring strategic value to finance
• Proactive planning improves outcomes

Key Takeaways:

• Litigation shows that inadequate documentation, unclear investment policies, and ignoring DOL guidance are common pitfalls that expose plan sponsors to ERISA lawsuits.
• By operating outside traditional financial licenses, 90 North Consulting offers compliance-free, litigation-informed fiduciary support tailored to plan sponsors’ needs.
• The transition from service member to financial consultant highlights the adaptability, discipline, and leadership needed to navigate complex regulatory environments.
• Fostering financial literacy, implementing debt management strategies, and engaging in continuous plan improvement can close the retirement savings gap and safeguard both employees and employers.

“[The single most overlooked risk is doing nothing]. There’s a risk in sticking with the status quo and not looking at how to make your plan better." - Eric Dyson

Connect with Shannon Edwards:

Website: https://www.tristarpension.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonedwardsplanconsultant/

Connect with Eric Dyson:

Website: https://90northllc.com/

Phone: 940-248-4800

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/

The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.

It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.

The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.