The Overlooked 401(k) Requirement That Can Trigger a DOL Audit

You’ve worked hard to build a thriving dental practice. But what if a single oversight on your 401(k) plan could invite a Department of Labor audit—despite everything else running smoothly?

That’s exactly what happened when a practice’s plan assets grew from $900k to over $3.1 million. The fidelity bond, still pegged to the original asset level, flagged as insufficient on their 5500 filing. It wasn’t malicious. It wasn’t even unusual. But it was enough to raise a red flag and potentially put the entire plan under review.

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The kicker? This was entirely preventable.

By transitioning to a pooled employer plan structure, they outsourced the fiduciary responsibility — and the annual bond purchase. No chasing brokers. No oversights. Just built-in compliance.

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Here’s the question:

When was the last time you checked your plan’s fidelity bond coverage?

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🔍 Benchmark your plan now and avoid the costly surprises no one tells you about — until it’s too late.

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