The retirement industry is moving fast, and we're moving faster. At Castle Rock PEP, powered by our partnership with Slavic401k, we're not just keeping pace with change, we're leading it.
John Slavic recently unveiled the 2026 Technology Roadmap at this year's conference, and let me tell you: this isn't your typical "we added a button" kind of upgrade. We're talking about a complete reinvention of how employers manage plans, how advisors serve clients, and how participants interact with their retirement savings, all happening this year.
If you've ever felt like your 401(k) technology was built in 2005 and hasn't been touched since, this post is for you. Let's walk through what's already live, what's launching in the next few months, and what's coming before the year wraps up.
Before we get into what's ahead, let's talk about what's already in your hands.
Plan sponsors, this one's for you. We rolled out a redesigned dashboard that gives you a cleaner, faster view of your plan's health. No more digging through five screens to find census data or contribution reports. Everything you need is front and center, with intuitive navigation that actually makes sense.
Here's where things get interesting. We integrated Boldin, a financial wellness platform that connects with over 8,000 financial aggregators. What does that mean in plain English? Your participants can now link their outside accounts, checking, savings, mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and see their full financial picture in one place.
Why does this matter? Because retirement planning doesn't happen in a vacuum. When employees can see how their 401(k) fits into their overall financial life, they make better decisions. They save more. They stress less. And that's exactly what we're here for.
We're just a few weeks into 2026, and we're already gearing up for one of the biggest launches in our history.
If you thought the Sponsor Portal dashboard was nice, wait until you see what's coming. The new Employer Portal is a complete ground-up rebuild designed with one goal: make plan administration so easy that you forget you're even doing it.
Here's what to expect:
Advisors, we didn't forget about you. The new Advisor Portal is built to help you scale your practice without sacrificing the personal touch your clients expect.
What's inside?
Both portals launch in Q1 2026, meaning if you're reading this, they're either live now or about to be.
Spring brings growth, and this spring, we're growing the participant experience in a big way.
Your employees already use the participant portal to check balances and update contributions. But we're adding features that turn it from a "check and forget" tool into a daily financial companion:
Here's a stat that should surprise no one: 85% of Americans check their phones within 15 minutes of waking up. So why should enrolling in a 401(k) require logging into a desktop computer during business hours?
Starting in Q2, participants can enroll in the plan directly from their phones. No desktop required. No "I'll do it later" excuses. Just open the app, answer a few questions, and you're in.
Our Bespoke automated investment tool has been helping participants build personalized portfolios for years. This quarter, we're giving it a visual makeover and adding smarter algorithms that adjust recommendations based on real-time market conditions and life changes (like getting married, having a kid, or changing jobs).
This is the feature I'm most excited about. The new Retirement Savings Projection Tool answers the one question every participant asks: "Am I going to be okay?"
It pulls in current savings, contribution rates, employer matches, Social Security estimates, and expected investment returns, then shows a clear, visual projection of retirement income. Participants can play with "what if" scenarios: What if I max out my contributions? What if I work two more years? What if I retire early?
Knowledge is power. And this tool puts that power directly in participants' hands.
By the time the leaves start changing color, we're rolling out the most ambitious mobile update we've ever attempted.
Right now, the mobile app is great for checking balances and updating contributions. But what happens when life gets complicated? What if you need to take a loan? Request a hardship withdrawal? Rebalance your portfolio?
Currently, those actions require calling a representative or logging into the desktop portal. Not anymore.
By late 2026, the mobile app will handle:
This isn't just convenient. It's transformational. Participants can manage their entire retirement account from the same device they use to order coffee.
You might be thinking: "Okay, cool tech updates. But how does this actually help me?"
Fair question. Here's the answer.
Every hour your HR team spends troubleshooting plan issues is an hour they're not spending on strategic initiatives. The new portals and automation tools cut administrative time by an estimated 40%.
Plans with higher engagement see better retirement outcomes. And better outcomes mean happier, more loyal employees. The mobile-first experience we're building meets participants where they already are: on their phones.
Automated alerts, real-time tracking, and built-in compliance checks mean fewer missed deadlines and fewer audit surprises. That's peace of mind you can't put a price on.
Want to attract top talent? Offering a modern, easy-to-use retirement plan signals that your company invests in employees' futures. It's a differentiator in a tight labor market.
The roadmap is clear. The technology is coming. The only question left is: Are you ready to take advantage of it?
If you're already part of the Castle Rock PEP family, these updates will roll out automatically. You don't need to do anything except watch for our announcements and training materials.
If you're not yet part of our community, now is the time to explore what a Pooled Employer Plan can do for your business. Lower costs, reduced liability, and cutting-edge technology: all in one package.
Want to see these tools in action? Reach out to our team for a personalized demo. We'll walk you through the new portals, show you how the mobile app works, and answer any questions you have about transitioning to a PEP.
The future of 401(k) administration isn't coming. It's here. And we built it with you in mind.
Ready to simplify your retirement plan and give your employees the tools they deserve? Contact us today or explore why joining a PEP makes sense for your business.
Simplifying retirement for all. One plan. Every business.