Approach & Process
Clear. Independent. Transparent.
Arctis delivers executive benefits consulting through a fee-only advisory model, with an optional and separate insurance brokerage available only when needed. Our process separates advice from product placement so institutions can make informed, objective, governance-ready decisions.
Compensation Philosophy
Arctis Advisory (AA) operates as a fee-only consulting partner throughout design, modeling, and governance work. When clients choose to implement insurance-funded strategies, they may optionally engage Arctis Insurance Solutions (AIS), a separate brokerage. All AIS commissions are fully disclosed before any application.
This structure protects objectivity, eliminates hidden incentives, and ensures organizational leaders receive transparent, defensible, and conflict-aware guidance.
Compensation Should
Never Obscure Advice
Three-Phase Process
01
Discovery &
Strategic Design
Compensation: Fee-Only (Arctis Advisory)
Purpose: Understand organizational needs and determine whether an executive benefit strategy is necessary.
Includes:
- Review of existing compensation and benefit structures
- Retention and succession analysis
- High-level compensation benchmarking
- Governance and compliance assessment
- Identification of viable plan structures
Excludes:
- No product discussions
- No illustrations
- No pricing or underwriting
- No administrative services
02
Technical Modeling &
Plan Architecture
Compensation: Fee-Only (Arctis Advisory)
Purpose: Convert strategy into a detailed, defensible design.
Includes:
- Detailed plan design (vesting, benefit formulas, timing)
- Financial modeling & sensitivity testing
- Accounting and tax impact analysis
- Compensation benchmarking with market data
- Draft board/committee materials
- Evaluation of conceptual funding approaches (generic, not carrier-specific)
Excludes:
- No life insurance illustrations
- No carrier-specific pricing
- No underwriting
- No ongoing servicing commitments
03
Implementation &
Product Placement (Optional)
Once a design is approved, the organization chooses its implementation path.
Arctis offers three clear options:
Option A:
Fee-Only Implementation Oversight (AA)
Compensation: Fee-only
Purpose: Arctis Advisory oversees implementation but does not place the product.
Arctis Advisory (AA) Provides:
- Illustration review
- Coordination with legal/tax advisors
- Verification of design alignment
- Implementation oversight
Arctis Advisory (AA) Does Not:
- Place policies
- Service policies
- Provide quarterly reporting
- Act as a TPA or recordkeeper
Option B:
Product Placement Through Arctis Insurance Solutions
Compensation: Carrier-paid commissions fully disclosed in writing before application.
Purpose: AIS handles underwriting and policy placement. This is a separate insurance brokerage engagement.
Arctis Insurance Solutions (AIS) Provides:
- Underwriting coordination
- Carrier evaluation
- Illustration comparison
- Policy placement
- Annual policy support and monitoring
Arctis Insurance Solutions (AIS) Does Not*:
- Provide plan administration
- Provide quarterly reporting
- Perform accounting or recordkeeping
Option C:
External Broker (No Arctis Implementation Role)
Compensation: None during implementation unless AA is re-engaged.
Purpose: You may use any broker without Arctis involvement.
External Broker Provides:
- Underwriting and placement
Arctis Advisory (AA):
- Steps back
- May re-engage later for plan reviews or updates (fee-only)
*AIS regularly works alongside a third-party administrator with specialized experience in executive benefit administration. Clients may elect to use this administrator or retain their own preferred service providers. AIS does not receive referral compensation and does not perform administrative or recordkeeping functions.
Three-Phase Summary Guide
| PHASE | LED BY | FOCUS | COMPENSATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01: Discovery & Strategy | Arctis Advisory | Needs Analysis, Feasibility | Fee-Only |
| 02: Modeling & Architecture | Arctis Advisory | Detailed Design, Modeling | Fee-Only |
| 03: Implementation (Optional) | AA or AIS or External Broker | Oversight or Policy Placement | Client Choice |
Deep Expertise Meets
Complete Clarity
Our Structure Protects Independence
- Advisory and product placement are kept intentionally separate
- No commissions are earned during design or modeling
- Clients choose who implements the funding (AA oversight, AIS placement, or external broker)
- Written compensation disclosure is provided before any application
- No administrative or recordkeeping services are performed by Arctis
- Arctis coordinates with the organization’s designated third-party administrator and service providers to ensure continuity of administration and reporting.
This framework ensures Arctis remains aligned with governance expectations and institutional best practices.
