Miguel Paredes

Miguel Paredes joined BFF Plan Services, Inc. (or BFF®) to help us improve the current 401(k) retirement plan model. As an ERISA compliance expert, Miguel is helping BFF® build a new approach for 401(k) retirement plans centered around providing plan sponsors with professional fiduciary-level plan administration services to better align the 401(k) plan model with the best interests of the plan participants.

In his current role as Chief Compliance Consultant for BFF®, Miguel brings an expert-level understanding of the requirements for ERISA compliance, coupled with relevant real-world business experience, all balanced with a common-sense approach to help BFF® meet the needs of the plan sponsor. Miguel helps BFF® execute successful and compliant 401(k) fiduciary-level 3(16) administrative services and ensures that company-sponsored employee benefit plans are being administered prudently, effectively, and efficiently.

Prior to joining BFF®, Miguel spent 12 years with U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) as an employee benefit plan Supervisory Investigator and supervisor of the Los Angeles Regional Office's Rapid ERISA Action (REACT) Project, the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP), and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Project.  During his time with EBSA, Miguel conducted and/or supervised more than a thousand investigations of ERISA-covered retirement plans, health and welfare plans, including their plan sponsors and service providers, with a focus on investigations involving complex administrative and financial issues.

Prior to joining the Department of Labor, Miguel was part of MassMutual Financial Group’s Corporate Auditing Department, conducting internal audits of the company’s financial statements, as well as auditing the company’s broker dealer, institutional investment, and retirement plan business lines.

Miguel is a noted ERISA authority and has presented numerous speeches and training events to the regulated community including ERISA fiduciaries, employee benefit plan service providers and investment advisors, as well as the public on ERISA fiduciary duties and ERISA investigations/best practices including the following:

• Department of Labor, EBSA National Fiduciary Education Campaign
  Instructor -– “Getting it Right: Know Your Fiduciary Responsibilities” May 2015

• CalCPA, Employee Benefit Plans Annual Audit Conference
  Panel Member – “The Regulators Are Watching” April 2015
• American Bar Association, Employee Benefits Committee Midwinter Conference
  Panel Member – “Government Agency Investigations” February 2015
• U.S. Trustee’s Office – San Diego, CA
  Keynote Speaker – “ERISA Primer for U.S. Bankruptcy Trustees” April 2013
• Western Pension & Benefits Council and National Institute of Pension Administrators
  Co-Speaker – “Updates from DOL’s Chief Accountant and Los Angeles Regional Office” January 2013

Miguel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, San Marcos and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Isenberg School of Management. Miguel holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) and Certified Internal Auditor designations.

Miguel is not affiliated with BFF Wealth Management, Inc or Centaurus Financial, Inc.

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