In the wake of a study that found registered investment advisorssaw opportunity in the retirement plan space, but were nervousabout the regulations involved, T.D. Ameritrade announced it wouldoffer a turnkey program to allay their concerns.

T.D. Ameritrade Trust Co. said it relied on input from RIAs tocreate the retirement plan strategy, which combines recordkeeping,custody and third-party administration. The plan would includeaccess to non-proprietary ETFs, funds and the RIA services of T.D.Ameritrade Institutional.

A report by T.D. Ameritrade found that 80 percent of RIAs saw opportunity in the $5.6trillion defined contribution plan market. Grabbing a slice of thatpie has allure for advisors, but the potential scrutiny fromgovernment agencies is a daunting prospect. The Department of Laborrequires plan providers to fully disclose theirservices, compensation and fiduciary status.

T.D. Ameritrade cited industry analysts who say retirement plansponsors would move their systems to RIAs as the disclosures makethe market more competitive.

The recent survey also found that RIAs were concerned that theydid not have the expertise or information they need to set up aretirement plan business.

T.D. Ameritrade said its Retirement Plan would help advisors byoffering them the step-by-step instructions for setting up adefined contribution business as set forth in the firm’s RetirementHandbook.

The plan also offers account management tools for advisors andmaterials to educate employers and plan participants. Advisors willhave control of clients’ investments through T.D. Ameritrade’s openarchitecture platform.

“We listened to advisors and they wanted a simplified, brandedretirement plan solution to help them gather assets they’re notcapturing today,” said Skip Schweiss, managingdirector, T.D. Ameritrade Institutional andpresident, T.D. Ameritrade Trust, in a statement.