---
title: Water Cooler Wisdom | CFO Leadership
description: CFO Leadership | Explore expert insights on retirement plans, tax strategies, and compliance for business owners. Stay informed with the latest trends and guidance from Michele Suriano.
image: https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Picture.jpg
---

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[![Retired business man calculating his retirement paycheck](https://cdn.marblism.com/3KeMjQp4oL7.webp)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-paycheck-problem-how-to-be-your-own-payroll-head-in-retirement)

## [The Paycheck Problem: How to Be Your Own Payroll Head in Retirement](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-paycheck-problem-how-to-be-your-own-payroll-head-in-retirement)

 Jun 6, 2026, 9:58:07 AM

For most of your career, your relationship with your paycheck has been a passive one. Every two week...

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## [Increasing Digital Inclusion with the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/castle-rock-pep-champions-digital-inclusion-with-the-recite-me-assistive-toolbar)

 May 19, 2026, 3:08:54 PM

At Castle Rock PEP, we believe that planning for your future shouldn't be a struggle. Retirement pla...

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## [The Fiduciary’s Tool Belt: Must-Have Gear to Protect Your Plan (and Your Sanity)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-fiduciarys-tool-belt-must-have-gear-to-protect-your-plan-and-your-sanity)

 Mar 27, 2026, 4:05:30 PM

Being named a fiduciary for your company's retirement plan is a bit like being handed the keys to a ...

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## [Are Pooled Employer Plans the Future? Why Smart Businesses Are Making the Switch](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/are-pooled-employer-plans-the-future-why-smart-businesses-are-making-the-switch)

 Mar 20, 2026, 11:47:40 AM

For decades, the traditional 401(k) plan has been the gold standard for American retirement savings....

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## [Personal Liability and Beyond: Navigating the Most Common Fiduciary Risks](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/personal-liability-and-beyond-navigating-the-most-common-fiduciary-risks)

 Mar 17, 2026, 11:38:04 AM

In Part 2 of our Fiduciary Training series, we explored why your fiduciary duty is the "highest know...

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## [The September 15th Miracle: Your S-Corp Extension Escape Hatch](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-september-15th-miracle-your-s-corp-extension-escape-hatch)

 Feb 22, 2026, 6:00:00 AM

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## [The S-Corp Time Machine: You Haven't Missed the 2025 Tax Deadline (Yet)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-s-corp-time-machine-you-havent-missed-the-2025-tax-deadline-yet)

 Feb 20, 2026, 2:33:04 PM

Part 1 of 3: The S-Corp Tax Survival Guide The Calendar Just Lied to You January 2nd arrives, and yo...

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## [Colorado Compliance Trap: How FAMLI Data Sharing Just Changed the Game](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/colorado-compliance-trap-how-famli-data-sharing-just-changed-the-game)

 Feb 17, 2026, 7:00:04 AM

If you're a Colorado employer, 2026 just became the year where "flying under the radar" officially d...

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## [The Future of Trust: Meet Erisa AI and Your New Security Guarantee](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-future-of-trust-meet-erisa-ai-and-your-new-security-guarantee)

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This is Part 3 of our 2026 Slavic401k Conference series. Catch up on Part 1: The 2026 Roadmap and Pa...

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## [The Heart of the Partnership: Why We Chose Slavic401k](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-heart-of-the-partnership-why-we-chose-slavic401k)

 Jan 30, 2026, 3:00:42 PM

In the world of retirement planning, we talk a lot about numbers. Contribution limits. Investment re...

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## [The Survivor's Guide: Finding Your Footing After a Loss](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-survivors-guide-finding-your-footing-after-a-loss)

 Jan 19, 2026, 1:28:36 PM

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## [Castle Rock PEP Q3 2025 Review: Key Updates & Insights](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/castle-rock-pep-q3-2025-review-key-updates-insights)

 Nov 2, 2025, 8:59:59 AM

As we wrap up another quarter in what's been a remarkable year for the markets, Michele Suriano, Pre...

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## [The Ultimate Guide to Pooled Employer Plans](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-ultimate-guide-to-pooled-employer-plans)

 Oct 14, 2025, 9:50:15 AM

Running a small business means wearing a dozen hats on any given day. You're the CEO, head of HR, ma...

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## [The WeWork of 401(k): How Castle Rock PEP Builds Community and Delivers Big for Employees](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-wework-of-401k-how-castle-rock-pep-builds-community-and-delivers-big-for-employees)

 Oct 10, 2025, 3:44:38 PM

Remember when WeWork revolutionized the workplace by turning boring office buildings into vibrant co...

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## [404(c): The C-Suite’s Shield Against Retirement Plan Liability](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/404c-the-c-suites-shield-against-retirement-plan-liability)

 Aug 28, 2025, 10:54:56 AM

If you’re a CFO/CEO/COO/C--, you know that every line item comes with risk. When it comes to your co...

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