Welcome to the Employer Help Center

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  1. What is the Vault?

    The Sentinel Online Vault is a way for Plan Sponsors to maintain all of their investment-related plan documents all in one place! The Vault is a user-friendly, safe and secure website that houses all of your plan’s important fiduciary documents suc...
  2. How does vesting work?

    Sentinel will track vesting for all your participants according to the provisions of your Plan Document. Plan participant hours will be imported into our system each payroll period using the contribution payroll file. Sentinel’s recordkeeping system...
  3. What is the Service Center phone number?

    888-762-6088 Sentinel’s Service Center is available each business day from 8:00am to 6:00pm Eastern Time (excluding holidays). Live representatives have access to a customized dashboard to provide service information whenever a participant calls...
  4. Does my plan need an Investment Policy Statement?

    The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is an important document for the Plan as it outlines fiduciary responsibilities and practices with respect to the Plan’s investments.  This IPS is intended to assist the Responsible Plan Fiduciary (RPF) and Sent...
  5. Can participants access the plan using their phones?

    Yes. When participants download the mobile app, they can access their retirement account balances whenever and wherever they choose, quickly and easily. Participants can check their balances, see transaction activity, change investment elections, re...
  6. Fidelity Bond and Fiduciary Liability Insurance, what is the difference and do I need it?

    ERISA fidelity bond is a form of insurance that protects the plan against fraud, theft, and other deliberately fraudulent acts. ERISA mandates qualified plans be covered by a fidelity bond. The minimum bond amounts required must be for a least 10%...
  7. How do participants make investment changes?

    All investment election changes must be completed by the participant online or verbally by calling the Sentinel Service Center and speaking with a representative. If you require or would like confirmation of these types of requests, Sentinel can pro...
  8. CARES Act Loan Repayment Deferment

    The CARES Act allows for qualified individuals to defer repayment of their retirement plan loan(s) through the end of the year. To be considered a "qualified individual", the participant, their spouse or dependent must have either been diagnosed wit...
  9. Furloughed Employees

    In the event that your organization is in the position that employees must be placed on furlough, it is generally acceptable to treat these situations as an unpaid leave of absence. Please speak with our account manager for additional details and to...
  10. Who and What is a Fiduciary?

    A fiduciary is any person who uses their own discretion when administering and managing the plan or controlling the plan’s assets. Fiduciary status is based on functions performed, not just a person’s title. They ordinarily include the trustee(s), i...