The DOL released its 2023 Audit Quality Study based on the plan year 2020 Form 5500 filings. This is the 4th Audit Quality Study performed. The previous studies were performed by in 1997, 2004 and 2015. According to the Office of the Chief Accountant, the primary objective of the studies are to assess the quality
The Internal Revenue Service announced November 1, 2023 that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2024 has increased to $23,000, up from $22,500 for 2023. The IRS also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax
The DOL’s EFAST2 website authentication process is being modernized in 2023. As part of this modernization, DOL is phasing out the existing method of logging in to the EFAST2 website with an EFAST2-issued User ID and password. In January 2023, EBSA began moving EFAST2 users to a single sign-in solution at Login.gov to access federal
On August 25, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service announced an administrative transition period that extends until 2026 the new requirement that any catch-up contributions made by higher‑income participants in 401(k) and similar retirement plans must be designated as after-tax Roth contributions. At the same time, the IRS also clarified that plan participants who are age 50
Recently the Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2023-43 which provides guidance on section 305 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 with respect to the expansion of the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS). Below are details from Notice 2023-43. PURPOSE Notice 2023-43 provides guidance in the form of questions and answers with respect to
In February of 2023, the IRS proposed regulations relating to the use of forfeitures. This would generally require that plan administrators use forfeitures no later than 12 months after the close of the plan year in which the forfeitures are incurred. The proposed regulations also clarify that forfeitures in a defined contribution plan may be
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) (together “Agencies”) on February 23, 2023 released Federal Register notices that announce changes to the 2023 Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan and Form 5500-SF Short Form. The announcement marks the third and final phase of implementation