Fiduciary standard

Validation Institute recognizes advisers who meet ERISA fiduciary standards

By Bruce Shutan

Published January 20, 2026 8:00 AM EST 4 Min Read

Hand drawn illustration for Validation Institute — Validation Institute YouTube

Key Insight: Discover how fee‑based fiduciary validation separates unbiased advisers from conflicted broker‑consultants.
What’s at Stake: Heightened ERISA litigation could expose employers and advisers to significant fiduciary liability.
Supporting Data: Only 12 advisers from 10 firms currently hold the Validation Institute credential.
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

Bruce Shutan

Contributing writer

Bruce Shutan is an Employee Benefit News contributing writer based in Portland, Oregon.

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