Ascensus, a technology-enabled service provider that helps more than 7 million Americans save for the future, has entered into an agreement to acquire Qualified Plans LLC ("Qualified Plans"). The third-party administration firm will immediately become part of Ascensus TPA Solutions.   

Headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, Qualified Plans provides plan design, consultation, compliance, and administration services for defined contribution and defined benefit plans. The firm's relationship managers, who average over 20 years of industry experience, oversee every aspect of the retirement planning operation to ensure that plans are as efficient and effective as possible.

"Acquiring Qualified Plans to become part of our TPA Solutions business is another indication of Ascensus' ongoing commitment to providing high-quality solutions to advisors through a platform-independent, open-architecture business model," states David Musto, Ascensus' president. "Qualified Plans' dedication to outstanding client service makes them a solid addition to Ascensus—we welcome their associates and their expertise in delivering efficient and high-quality plan retirement plans along with administration and actuarial services to our family."

"At Qualified Plans, we strive to create the perfect plan to fit the needs of our clients," says John Massey, managing partner for Qualified Plans. "We look forward to continuing to offer our professional expertise and partnership as part of the Ascensus family so that we may assist clients in achieving the long-term results they deserve."

"The southeastern U.S. is an important market for us, and we are delighted to acquire a well-regarded firm like Qualified Plans," says Raghav Nandagopal, Ascensus' executive vice president of corporate development and M&A. "Their long track record of providing personalized services on a national scale fits very well with Ascensus' TPA Solutions strategy. Qualified Plans is one of several additions we will make to our national footprint and capability set in 2018; we see many attractive opportunities ahead."