About ABA, Inc.

“Pension and Benefit Specialists Focused on Service”

Accrued Benefit Administrators, Inc.  (“ABA”), located in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, has been assisting businesses, individuals, non-profit organizations and local governments with their retirement plan needs since 1991.  As a Third Party Administrator, our clients trust us to assist them in maintaining the qualified status of their Plan.

Testimonials

At ABA, Inc., our most valuable resource is our staff of experienced benefits professionals.  We would like to introduce them. 

Barbara Klein, QPA,QKA
President and Owner

barbara@abainc.com
(805) 568-1710 ext 108

Barbara has earned the designation Qualified Pension Administrator (“QPA”) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (“QKA”) from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.  She also holds her life agent license in California.  She has participated in the pension industry for over 25 years.  During her college years she interned for the Social Security Administration.  Barbara began her pension career in Rhode Island and has been providing pension administration services in Santa Barbara since 1981.

Prior to founding ABA, Barbara worked for Pentabs, a national pension software firm, and its parent company, Corbel & Co., a national retirement plan document and pension training firm, as their Director of Pension Services and Quality Control departments.  While working for these firms, she filled many roles.  Barbara taught the pension administration software system to administration firms around the country, spoke on automating legal aspects of pension administration and managed Pentabs local pension administration division.  She also continued to administer plans locally during that time.

Professionally, Barbara is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, the National Institute of Pension Administrators, the Society of Human Resource Management, the Santa Barbara Human Resource Association and the Western Pension & Benefits Conference.  Civically, Barbara is a member of the Goleta Noontime Rotary and a board member for the Goleta Teen of the Year Scholarship Program.

 

Jason Brady, QPA,QKA
Vice President

jasonb@abainc.com
ext. 105

Jason earned his B.S. Degree from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio with a double major in Finance and Economics.  He began his career in the pension industry in 1996 with Moskal, Klein, Inc., a Third Party Administration firm in Cleveland, Ohio.  He then moved on to Key Corp where he served as a 401(k) Account Analyst, and Team Leader.  In 2001 Jason moved to Santa Barbara to work for PlanMember Financial Corporation as the Senior Pension Administrator.  Jason joined ABA, Inc. in December of 2002.

Jason currently works as the Operations Manager of Accrued Benefits Administrators, Inc.  Jason reports directly to the President and CEO of ABA.   He is responsible for overseeing the day to day operation of the company by managing our administrative service departments.  Jason ensures the timely and accurate delivery of our services by working closely with our staff of highly trained pension professionals.  He is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating our internal processes and controls, which helps us ensure the highest level of service for our valued clients. 

Jason is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and has earned the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) and Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designations. 

 

Michelle Downey Lawyer
Benefits Administrator

michellel@abainc.com
ext. 101

Michelle has worked in the pension industry for over 20 years.  Prior to joining ABA, she was employed at Certified Pension Consultants (“CPC”).  Michelle began working for CPC as a word processor and gradually learned the more technical aspects of the business.  She then went to work for Accrued Benefit Administrators, Inc. (“ABA”) in March of 1992 when ABA acquired CPC, and is now a Benefits Administrator. 

Michelle currently processes participant loans and distributions, generates retirement plan documents, prepares and files the Form 5500 and Schedules for Welfare Benefit Plans, administers cafeteria plans, manages accounts receivable and performs a variety of other administrative tasks. 

Michelle has successfully completed the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) Pension Administrator’s and Daily Valuation Courses and is continuing on in her studies.  She has an Associates Degree from Ottumwa Heights Junior College in Ottumwa, Iowa. 

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys singing Gospel music with a 35 voice choir, a 7 voice ensemble and a trio as well as performing solo.

 

Patricia McFarland
Senior Trust Administrator

patm@abainc.com

Pat is the Senior Trust Administrator at ABA, Inc. and has worked in the pension service industry since 1985.  She received her BS degree in Business Administration, with a minor in accounting, from the University of North Dakota.  After moving to California from Minnesota she was employed by Pentabs, a national pension software firm, as the Supervisor of Customer and Contract Administration.  While working at Pentabs Pat met Barbara Klein.  When Barbara started ABA, Inc. in 1991, Pat joined her and has been involved in ABA's growth since the beginning.   

Pat's main focus is the asset reconciliation of our clients' pension plans for use in the filing of the 5500 Reports.  She also manages ABA's books and handles most of the client billing.

 

Yolanda Reyes, M.S.
Benefits Consultant

yolandar@abainc.com
ext. 104

Yolanda is currently the Benefits Consultant at ABA, Inc. and is responsible for preparing comprehensive administrative reports, performing compliance testing, and completing required government forms for defined contribution and welfare benefit plans.  Yolanda assists clients with the day-to-day operations of their retirement plans.  She is responsible for researching and analyzing new processes and products to improve our 125 plan administration.  She also maintains and updates the 125 café plan website.   

Yolanda earned her B.A. at Oregon State University in June 2001 and her Master’s of Science at the University of Oregon in June 2004.  She has been working in the pension industry with ABA, Inc. from September 2001 to October 2002 and recently rejoined ABA, Inc. in September 2004.  

She has successfully completed the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) Pension Administrator’s courses and is continuing on in her studies. 

Testimonials

"I have worked with ABA as our Plan Administrator for 401(k) and Cafeteria Plan services for the past 8 years.  They are highly knowledgeable and professional in handling our Plans, and have been a valued partner to guide us regarding Plan administration and compliance issues. To top it all off, the staff at ABA is next to none--friendly, courteous and always eager to help."

  --Bonnie, Community West Bank

Please browse our site to find out how ABA, Inc. can help you and your employees save for retirement!

401(k)
Profit Sharing
Money Purchase
SIMPLE
Defined Benefit Cafeteria Plan
Welfare Benefit
Target Benefit
ESOP
125 Cafeteria Plan

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209 West Anapamu Street · Santa Barbara, CA  ·   93101-3604 ·  Tel: (805) 568-1710 · Fax: (805) 568-1709