I have been in the retirement plan business for 23 years and doing employee meetings is still my favorite part of the job.  I have the chance to have an impact on people’s financial future and it is something I take seriously.  This morning I finished an enrollment meeting and one of the participants thanked me for taking the time to explain, SIMPLY, how it worked.  Really????  I am getting thanked for doing my job?????  Business owners, Plan Fiduciary, Advisors, please listen to me on this:  Participants want to understand their plan, they want to save and they want to be financially successful.  We need to take the time to help them and realize human nature is to not participate in that which we do not understand.  We need to concentrate on the basics: why we need to save and then why the 401k (tax benefits and if applicable, employer contribution).  We don’t need to speak just on investment returns and we need to quit trying to impress people with big words and industry jargon.  The best way to impress people is if we can explain it in a way that they understand and makes them comfortable.  I can’t tell you the joy I get when I see that “light bulb” go off with a participant and to see them get excited about understanding the benefit or concept.  It is then that I know I may of just made a difference in that persons future!!!!!