11.05.20

Should You Establish a Retirement Plan Governance Committee?
James Quaid

Retirement plan governance is the system through which key decisions are made about strategy and operations, including plan design, administration and investment choices. Typically, at the core of plan governance is an official plan governance committee. Although the Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS do not require a plan to have a plan governance committee, […]

09.15.20

How to Handle Laid-Off Employees’ 401(k) Accounts Still in Your Plan
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

As employee headcount grows, some turnover now and then usually does not create many concerns about “orphan” 401(k) accounts.  However, employers forced to downsize during the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic might have a larger proportion of accounts left behind by former employees. This could be a problem, but there are some […]

08.07.20

CARES Act Balancing Act: Helping Employees Recoup Retirement Savings

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s retirement plan provisions are designed to throw a financial lifeline to people suffering adverse economic consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they leave plan sponsors largely in the driver’s seat. If you amended your plan to allow employees to take advantage of the CARES Act, what […]

07.23.20

Preventing Cyber Theft of Plan Assets Before it is Too Late

In the employee benefit plan landscape, cyber theft of participant accounts is a disaster waiting to happen. Whether or not you are liable as a plan sponsor, is a situation that you do not want to be in. Fortunately, there are steps plan sponsors can take to safeguard participant accounts from cyber theft. Plan sponsors […]

06.18.20

Trending in the Right Direction With the New Electronic Disclosure Rules

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued final electronic disclosure rules on May 27, 2020. These rules provide relief from printing and mailing certain Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) notices to plan participants and beneficiaries. This relief is great news for plan sponsors of retirement plans. It is, however, not all-encompassing because it does not […]

05.06.20

CARES Act Expands Financial Options for Impacted Plan Participants
James Pellino

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed a few weeks ago in an effort to help curb the possible economic stress the Coronavirus pandemic has placed on Americans. The Act was far reaching and included many provisions regarding retirement plans and accounts. Although guidance on the CARES Act continues to come […]

04.20.20

SECURE Act 101: New Law Changes Plan Policies, Creates Design Options
James Quaid

Defined contribution plan sponsors have some important decisions to make and opportunities to consider in the wake of the enactment of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act at the end of 2019. The Act is intended to boost retirement financial security on several fronts. Offering safe harbor for annuities The SECURE […]

03.03.20

Should Your 401(k) Vest Now or Later?
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

According to survey data from the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA), roughly 40% of 401(k) plan sponsors provide immediate vesting on their matching contributions. In theory, employers that offer immediate vesting on matching 401(k) contributions might have a leg up on other companies when recruiting workers in a tight labor market. However, the jury […]

02.04.20

Required Minimum Distributions and “Lost” Participants

Losing contact with former participants who have vested benefits remaining in your plan can be problematic for both the former participants and the plan sponsor.

01.17.20

The Pros and Cons of Allowing New Employees to Enroll in Your 401(k) Plan Immediately

401(k) Plan participation eligibility requirements take on greater significance for Plan sponsors in a tight labor market. Weigh these pros and cons to help with your decision.