The CARES ACT Update

November 12, 2020    401    401   

2020 has been a difficult year with many unexpected challenges. For companies that sponsor retirement plans, some of these challenges came in the form of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Cycle 3 Plan Document Restatements

November 12, 2020    397    397   

Approximately every six years, the IRS requires that pre-approved qualified retirement plans update (or restate) their plan document to reflect recent legislative and regulatory changes. Plan restatements are divided into staggered six-year cycles depending on the type of plan (e.g. defined benefit plans or defined contribution plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans).

Electronic Delivery Could Save Billions

August 4, 2020    515    515   

On May 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announced the publication of a final rule that will allow employers to communicate the required retirement plan disclosures and other plan information electronically. 

IRS Issues Additional Pandemic Relief

August 4, 2020    522    522   

On June 29, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-52 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic providing welcome relief to plan sponsors who are considering suspending safe harbor contributions and also to those who may already have regardless of whether the employer is suffering an economic loss. 

Understanding the CARES Act

April 8, 2020    741    741   

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a massive relief bill for those suffering as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, was signed into law. Besides the generalized financial relief afforded to individuals, as well as loans and other concessions for businesses, the bill includes the following provisions to help participants and employer sponsors of retirement plans.

How the SECURE Act is Changing Retirement

February 12, 2020    790    790   

On December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law.

The SECURE Act represents some of the most significant changes to retirement plan law since the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, over thirteen years ago. The provisions of the Act are broad ranging and span many different effective dates.

The Final Rule on Hardship Distributions

November 22, 2019    821    821   

On Sept. 23rd, the IRS published a final rule that relaxes several existing restrictions on participant hardship distributions from defined contribution plans.

Some of these changes are mandatory, requiring employers to make the changes by Jan. 1st, 2020, while others are optional. 

Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan Design

November 22, 2019    935    935   

Being the bearer of bad news isn’t fun.

When the third-party administration firm relays that aspects of the annual compliance testing have failed causing many of the company’s executives to receive taxable distributions from the plan, it isn’t a great day for the HR manager.

IRS Announces Limits for 2020

November 22, 2019    785    785   

On November 6th, 2019, the IRS announced the cost of living adjustments affecting the dollar limitations for retirement plans.

Contribution and benefit increases are based on a calculated change in the Consumer Price Index and are intended to allow participant contributions and benefits to keep up with the “cost of living” from year to year.

It's All in the Design...

September 12, 2019    828    828   

For many new Plan Sponsors, and even those savvy at running company retirement plans, understanding plan design can be daunting. Industry terminology, IRS code sections, and complicated illustrations can make understanding difficult.