“Actual Knowledge” Required by Participants

Friday, February, 28, 2020 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, Forms and Procedures, News and Press Releases, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
As detailed in an article by Nick Thornton of BenefitsPro, in February 2020, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the fiduciaries of two Intel Corp. defined contribution plans. At issue before the court in Intel Corp. Read More

Congress passes The SECURE ACT of 2019

Friday, December, 20, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, News and Press Releases, Policy Updates, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
As expected, The Setting Every Community up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the SECURE Act) was passed by Congress. It is expected to be signed into law. The SECURE Act is the most significant retirement plan legislation in the past decade. Read More

DOL Proposes Safe Harbor for Use of Electronic Media

Wednesday, November, 20, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, Forms and Procedures, News and Press Releases, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
The DOL has proposed a new safe harbor for the use of electronic media to furnish information to participants and beneficiaries of ERISA plans. The proposal would allow plan administrators who meet certain conditions to provide participants and beneficiaries with a notice that certain disclosures will be made available on a website. Read More

401(k) Contribution Limit Increases to $19,500 for 2020; Catch-Up Limit Rises to $6,500

Wednesday, November, 06, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, Forms and Procedures, News and Press Releases, Policy Updates, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
The Internal Revenue Service announced that employees in 401(k) plans will be able to contribute up to $19,500 next year. The IRS announced this  contribution limit and other changes in Notice 2019-59, posted on IRS.gov. Read More

Final Regulations for Hardship Distributions

Thursday, October, 03, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, Forms and Procedures, News and Press Releases, Policy Updates, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued final regulations on hardship distributions from 401(k) plans. The final regulations amend the rules relating to hardship distributions from Code Sec. 401(k) plans and reflect statutory changes affecting Code Sec. Read More

IRS Modifies EPCRS for Loans and Certain Plan Document Failures

Monday, April, 22, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, Forms and Procedures, News and Press Releases, Policy Updates, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
With the issuance of Revenue Procedure 2019-19, the IRS modifies its Employee Compliance Resolution System for the second time in less than a year. Effective April 19, 2019, the IRS modified the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”). Read More

Recent Legal Cases of Interest to Plan Sponsors

Friday, February, 22, 2019 / Published in Employee Benefit Plans, News and Press Releases, Retirement - 401(k), 403(b)
There have been several recent legal developments which plan sponsors should be aware. Putnam investments has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on who is responsible for bearing the burden of proof whether investment losses resulted in losses to 401(k) plan participants. Read More