By Jason Kell, AIF® on June 11, 2025June 11, 2025 The markets are choppy—and retirement confidence is following suit. April 2025 has ushered in significant market volatility, primarily driven by the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, dubbed “Liberation Day.” These tariffs have led to a historic two-day loss of over $6.6 trillion in U.S. stock market value, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq entering bear market territory. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) soared to 45.31, its highest since 2020. But here’s the opportunity: in uncertain times, trusted advice is more valuable than ever. And when you partner with GVA Retirement Partners, you get to focus on building those trusted relationships—while we handle the plan sponsor side of the equation. Market Volatility Is Shaking Confidence Despite a recent uptick in account balances, 60% of participants still fear outliving their savings (BlackRock). Interest rate concerns and inflation anxiety have pushed retirement planning to the front of mind, especially for pre-retirees. Market turbulence has exposed knowledge gaps—from risk tolerance to asset allocation—underscoring the need for advisor guidance. 85% of participants failed basic financial literacy questions (Pontera), and only 29% feel confident managing their 401(k) without help (Schwab). Why This Is Your Moment—as an Advisor Participants are looking for clarity, not complexity. And financial advisors are uniquely positioned to provide it. But managing a full 401(k) plan relationship—including fiduciary consulting, compliance, and vendor issues—can be overwhelming. That’s where GVA Retirement Partners can help. We bring deep ERISA, plan design, and fiduciary experience so you can stay in your lane: prospecting, educating, and converting plan participants into long-term clients. GVA + Advisor = Scalable Growth Advisors Prospect the Plan. We maintain the sponsor relationship; you build relationships with participants. We Handle the Complexity. Plan design, fiduciary reviews, compliance testing, investment reviews—we’ve got it. You Deliver the Value. Focus on helping participants navigate volatile markets, rebalance portfolios, and plan smart withdrawals. Participants Trust You More. With GVA backing you up, you’re bringing institutional-grade consulting to the table without the overhead. In Volatile Markets, Advice Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential Employees are overwhelmed. Employers are seeking partners. And you have the chance to be the advisor who delivers peace of mind—and builds a stronger business while doing it. Let’s build better retirements together. Partner with GVA Retirement Partners and start turning volatility into opportunity.