Determination Program On June 29, 2016, Revenue Procedure 2016-37, generally effective January 1, 2017, was released changing the: Determination Letter Program for tax-qualified individually designed plans (IDPs); and Requirements for when plan amendments must be adopted under IRC Section 401(b) While Revenue Procedure 2016-37 covers many changes and plan sponsors should carefully review the revenue
The Department of Labor (“DOL”) on April 6, 2016 issued its final rules to address fiduciary standards. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s fact sheet of the new rule follows: Summary Since 1974, when Congress enacted the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Department of Labor (‘DOL’ or ‘Department’) has worked
Correction Program & Retirement Plan Changes During 2015, the IRS began classifying Voluntary Correction Program (VCP) fees as user fees subject to IRC 7528. As a result, in 2016, plan sponsors will refer to a new, annual revenue procedure to determine the appropriate fee when making a VCP submission to the IRS. In addition, the
On January 4, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced guidance in anticipation of the elimination of the 5-year remedial amendment cycle system for individually designed plans under the Employee Plans determination letter program, effective January 1, 2017. Specifically, in Notice 2016-3, IRS described the following changes that will be reflected in an update to
For calendar year plans, the maximum extension due date for Form 5500 series (Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan) is back to 2 1/2 months or October 15th. An employer that maintains a pension, annuity, stock bonus, profit-sharing or other funded deferred compensation plan (or the plan administrator of the plan) is required to file
The U.S. Labor Department has issued new guidance regarding economically targeted investments (ETIs) made by retirement plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. ETIs are investments that are selected for the benefits they create in addition to the investment return to the employee benefit plan investor. “Investing in the best interests of a retirement plan
On September 21, 2015, the IRS announced a new Form 5500 compliance project focusing on plan years ending in 2011, as detailed below. Plan sponsors should ensure that all required Form 5500s have been filed and respond to any notice received from the Employee Plans Compliance Unit. Background Federal law requires most retirement plans to