The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a 60-day extension of the applicability dates of the fiduciary rule and related exemptions, including the Best Interest Contract Exemption. The announcement follows a Feb. 3, 2017, presidential memorandum which directed the Department to examine the fiduciary rule to ensure that it does not adversely affect the ability of Americans
The Board issued in March 2017 Accounting Standards Update (ASU) (ASU) No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), defined benefit pension
In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-06, Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965), Employee Benefit Plan Master Trust Reporting (“ASU 2017-06”). ASU 2017-06 relates primarily to the reporting by an employee benefit
The IRS issued Notice 2016-50, Updated Static Mortality Tables for Defined Benefit Pension Plans for 2017, which provides updated static mortality tables to be used for defined benefit pension plans for purposes of calculating the funding target and other items for valuation dates occurring during calendar year 2017. The IRS notice also includes a modified
The DOL’s Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans (known as the DOL ERISA Advisory Council) issued a report, Cybersecurity Considerations for Benefit, which summarizes its examination of and recommendations regarding cybersecurity considerations as they relate to pension and welfare benefit plans. The Council focused specifically on outlining elements of cyber risk management
On February 3, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order which directs the Department of Labor (“DOL”) to review the Fiduciary Duty Rule, specifically, Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule Retirement Investment Advice, 81 Fed. Reg. 20946 (April 8, 2016) (Fiduciary Duty Rule or Rule). The President’s order states that the Fiduciary Duty Rule may
In January 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration released it CONSUMER PROTECTIONS FOR RETIREMENT INVESTORS – FAQS ON YOUR RIGHTS AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS. Per the Department of Labor, beginning on April 10, 2017, retirement investors will benefit from important new protections requiring that financial advisers act in their best interest. While