02.22.22

Is It Time for a Collective Investment Trust?
James Pellino

Collective investment trusts (CITs) are winning the hearts, minds and dollars of growing numbers of defined contribution (DC) plans. If you are not aware of the trend, it might be time to learn what CITs are and how they have evolved since the days when they were standard fixtures of DC plans. Collective investment trust […]

01.28.22

Is Your Plan’s Matching Contribution Formula Delivering Results?
James Quaid

Offering matching contributions under a 401(k) plan can serve two purposes: 1) Provide a valuable benefit to your employees; and 2) Encourage plan participants to play a meaningful role in preparing for their own retirements. The trick is to do both in a way that is affordable for both you and your employees. How can […]

11.23.21

Which Plan Documents Must You Surrender if You Are Sued?

When participants believe they have been mistreated by your company’s retirement plan and take their complaints to court, be prepared for requests for plan documents. Although under ERISA you are obligated to produce relevant materials, you are not required to indulge in a document fishing expedition. A recent court case, Theriot v. Building Trades United […]

10.07.21

Audit Communications to Plan Sponsors More Robust Under SAS 136
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

The AICPA’s Statement on Accounting Standards No. 136 (SAS 136), “Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), will meaningfully change the audit process for defined contribution plan sponsors. The AICPA issued SAS 136 with the goal of giving readers of […]

09.02.21

IRS Compliance Checklist: Keep Your Plan Running Smoothly and Legally
James Pellino

Some IRS compliance requirements for plan sponsors may be more familiar than others. Because knowledge of even the most basic rules tends to vary, the IRS offers a 401(k) plan checklist of the top compliance tasks. It is a good idea to test your plan against this checklist. Before you start Both you and your […]

08.03.21

How To Prepare for a Plan Audit

In most cases, the odds of receiving notice from the IRS or Department of Labor (DOL) stating that they plan to audit your retirement plan are slim. However, if that situation arises, it is important to be prepared for what lies ahead. Knowing what is involved can enable you to stay on top of your […]

06.16.21

Sign Your Plan Document, Warns the IRS
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

When the IRS audits a retirement plan, it expects the plan sponsor to produce a plan document and amendments that have been signed by the relevant fiduciaries. Except under extraordinary circumstances, an unsigned plan document will not suffice. The IRS recently reiterated this position in a memorandum issued by the Office of Chief Counsel. It […]

05.19.21

Small Business (and All Other Plan Sponsors) Oversight of Retirement Plan Investments

Prudence dictates that qualified plan sponsors periodically re-examine compliance with the fiduciary obligations of their retirement plans. A major area to consider is your fiduciary responsibilities over plan investments. This is essential for all plan sponsors, and in particular, plan sponsors of small businesses that do not have the resources or the time to oversee […]

04.20.21

Is Your Cybersecurity Policy Up to the Task?
James Quaid

Do you have a robust cybersecurity policy to keep your retirement plan safe from cybercriminals? The 2020 Cyber Security Risk Report by Aon finds that, “organizations often have a false sense of confidence regarding data security, particularly when it comes to risks potentially posed by third-party service providers.” The ever-growing magnitude of the threat and […]

03.29.21

Pooled Employer Plans: A Look at How Small Employers Can Benefit
James Pellino

Employers and retirement plan services providers have had a year to mull over their options since the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 paved the way for the launch of pooled employer plans (PEPs). For small businesses, these new plans may fundamentally change the quality of and access to retirement […]