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Ascensus launches workplace-based advisor referral platform. New system allows 401(k) participants direct access to financial advisors, giving advisors and plan sponsors more opportunities to engage and support clients with broader needs September 30, 2026 While participation in workplace 401(k) plans remains healthy, more than half of those enrolled still lack access to a financial advisor - which can be a challenge during major life or financial events. Ascensus hopes to bridge that gap with a new workplace-to-wealth platform, announced Wednesday. The system is designed to combine enhanced participant connectivity and advisor engagement capabilities, giving both parties easier access to each other, and a clearer flow of information to help guide participants to financial experts. The fintech company cites Cerulli research that 63% of America's active 401(k) participants still operate without access to a financial advisor, including mass-affluent savers who would likely benefit from more active insights into their retirement plans. Ascensus said the new advisor-first model it is rolling out is built to support the advisors and institutions it serves with referral workflows that will interact with more than 16 million plan participants, and is not designed as a further level of competition to financial professionals. Dan Morrison, President of Retirement with Ascensus, said participants should all have easier access to advisors, especially as workplace savings and broader wealth management become more connected. "Too many people face critical financial decisions such as changing jobs, preparing for retirement or rolling over savings, without access to professional financial advice," Morrison said, in a release. The new platform is geared to help participants access advisor help, particularly at major financial transitions in their lives. It's also intended to help preserve the relationships between savers, advisors, employers and financial institutions, in a fashion that's consistent with both data privacy requirements and best practices. For participants, the platform will also create a more seamless experience with both personalized human support and available AI assistance, helping participants to make better financial decisions and directly contact their plan's advisor when they need more direct help. Josh Rundle, Head of Investment and Wealth Solutions at Ascensus, said the workplace 401(k) is a natural opportunity to help employees interact directly with financial advice. "By connecting advisors, retirement providers and financial institutions on behalf of retirement savers, we're helping create a more connected pathway between workplace savings and wealth management," he said. For financial advisors serving the company plan or those who are affiliated with an Ascensus partner, they'll gain additional opportunities to help work with participants as their financial needs extend from workplace savings to other lifestyle-related financial plans. Plan sponsors can also use the platform to provide their participants with other financial wellness tools, beyond standard retirement-related advice. Ascensus said it is debuting the new workplace-based model with a number of national firms, with broader connections between other advisory firms and financial institutions in the coming months. Keep up with the news, trends, products, and policy shaping the retirement plan industry.

Ascensus appoints John Shapiro as Chief Product Officer. Sep 22, 2026, 12:00 ET Experienced product leader to help strengthen client-centered innovation and advance the company's next phase of growth DRESHER, Pa., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Ascensus, the engine at the center of America's savings ecosystem, today announced that John Shapiro has joined the company as Chief Product Officer and a member of the executive leadership team. Reporting directly to CEO Nick Good, Shapiro will shape Ascensus' enterprise-wide product vision and strengthen how the company develops and delivers products, makes decisions, and sets priorities across the business. As Ascensus continues to enhance the client experience and position the company for its next phase of growth, strong product leadership will play an increasingly important role in helping connect client insights, business priorities, and technology to create more integrated solutions and better outcomes. Shapiro will lead the Product organization and help foster unified, client-focused, and outcome-oriented approaches to product development across the enterprise. "Ascensus has tremendous momentum, and we're investing in the capabilities that will help drive our next phase of growth," said Nick Good, CEO of Ascensus. "Delivering an exceptional client experience is central to that strategy. We want to make it easier for clients and partners to do business with us while creating more connected solutions and better outcomes. John brings a powerful combination of client focus, product leadership, and business acumen, and I'm excited about the impact he will have as we continue to grow and evolve." "Ascensus stands out for its clear purpose, talented team, and unique position in the market," said John Shapiro. "I'm thrilled to join the company at such an important time and help build on its strong foundation by creating solutions and experiences that deliver greater value for clients, partners, and savers." Shapiro joins Ascensus from Lightspeed Commerce, where he served as Chief Product Officer. Earlier in his career, he held product leadership roles at Wayfair, Intuit, and Adobe Systems. Throughout his career, he has built and led large-scale product organizations, bringing new ideas to market and helping businesses serving millions of users accelerate growth. Shapiro earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Stanford University. About Ascensus Ascensus is the engine at the center of America's savings ecosystem. The company makes saving easier by bringing together intuitive technology, AI, and high-touch service to support better financial outcomes for savers, small- to mid-sized businesses, state governments, and leading corporations and financial institutions. Ascensus offers comprehensive qualified and nonqualified retirement plan solutions, third-party retirement plan administration, 529 education and ABLE savings program administration, corporate- and bank-owned life insurance solutions, as well as fiduciary and total rewards services. The company supports over 16 million savers[1] and oversees more than $1.3 trillion in assets under administration[2] as of August 3, 2026. For more information, visit ascensus.com. [1] Figure includes American Trust Retirement recordkeeping participants [2] Figure includes AmericanTCS AUA SOURCE Ascensus

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