Employee Benefits Update

Showing 33–48 of 395 results

  • Reap the rewards of managed fund fees

    June / July 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 606

    Abstract: Good news for retirement plan participants: The multi-year trend of regular asset management cost reductions is going strong. However, according to recent research on the topic by the Investment Company Institute (ICI), the trend is partly attributable to actions taken by participants, rather than voluntary fee reductions on the part of asset management companies. This article reviews ICI data that provides an important reference point when reviewing the asset management costs that plan participants are paying in a fund lineup.

    Read More

  • Is it time for a collective investment trust?

    June / July 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 652

    Abstract: Collective investment trusts (CITs) are winning the hearts, minds and dollars of growing numbers of defined contribution (DC) plans. This article examines why it might be time to learn what CITs are and how they’ve evolved since the days when they were standard fixtures of DC plans.

    Read More

  • Demystifying plan audits – Proactive risk management can ease the process

    June / July 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 889

    Abstract: Generally, the odds of receiving notice from the IRS or Department of Labor (DOL) that they plan to audit a retirement plan are slim. But considering the consequences of an audit, knowing what’s involved can enable sponsors to stay on top of legal and regulatory obligations and help them make it through an audit. This article reviews the differences between an IRS and DOL audit, and common errors that can attract agency attention. A short sidebar discusses the benefits of conducting self-audits on a regular basis.

    Read More

  • COMPLIANCE ALERT

    April / May 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 85

    Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for April and May.

    Read More

  • The evolution of the target date fund selection process

    April / May 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 437

    Abstract: How does a company know if it has the best target date funds (TDFs) on its plan’s investment menu? Plan sponsors should regularly review all their plan’s investment options — especially when most participant deferrals are earmarked for TDFs. This article reviews several questions all sponsors should consider if they have TDFs.

    Read More

  • Which plan documents must you surrender if you’re sued?

    April / May 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 552

    Abstract: When participants believe they’ve been mistreated by a retirement plan and take their complaints to court, one must be prepared for requests for plan documents. Although under ERISA companies are obligated to produce relevant materials, they aren’t required to indulge a document fishing expedition. This article discusses a recent court case, Theriot v. Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund, that offers insights on just how far it’s necessary to go, and where to draw the line. ERISA §1024(b)(4); Theriot v. Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund, No. 18-10250 (E.D. La. Nov. 4, 2019)

    Read More

  • Stopping cybertheft of plan assets before it happens

    April / May 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 588

    Abstract: Cybertheft of participant accounts always happens to some other plan sponsor — until it doesn’t. Whether or not a company is liable, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. This article reviews a recent lawsuit in its initial phase, Berman v. Estee Lauder Inc., that highlights an unenviable position (assuming the plaintiff’s allegations hold up) — and what a company can do to minimize the chances that it ever will. Berman v. Estee Lauder Inc., No. 3:19-cv-06489 (N.D. Cal. filed Oct. 9, 2019)

    Read More

  • SECURE Act 101 – New law changes plan policies, creates design options

    April / May 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 880

    Abstract: Defined contribution plan sponsors have some important decisions to make and opportunities to consider in the wake of enactment of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act at the end of last year. The act is intended to boost retirement financial security on several fronts. This article covers several topics from the act, including safe harbors for annuities, transfers to IRAs, and annual disclosures of projected income. A short sidebar looks at how the act affects part-time employees.

    Read More

  • COMPLIANCE ALERT

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 167

    Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for February through April.

    Read More

  • 2019 vs. 2020 retirement plan limits

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 116

    Abstract: This chart contains updated retirement plan limits for 2020.

    Read More

  • Including financial wellness in your retirement plan strategy

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 597

    Abstract: Many employees are paying a high price for their inadvertent ignorance about personal finance matters, studies are concluding. The price isn’t measured solely in bad investment or spending decisions, but also emotional and physical health, as well as in diminished job productivity. Employees’ understanding of their employer’s retirement plan, or lack thereof, is a critical piece of the puzzle. This article discusses how designing a retirement plan educational strategy without considering employees’ financial wellness could yield disappointing results. 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-55(c)(2)

    Read More

  • Now is the time for MEPs – DOL regulations liberalize commonality requirement

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 782

    Abstract: What are multiple employer plans (MEPs) and “open” MEPs? For sponsors of small defined contribution plans, now is the time to ask these questions, thanks to a liberalization of the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations governing MEPs that took effect last October. This article examines what MEPs are (open or otherwise), and what’s in it for plan sponsors. 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-55(c)(2)

    Read More

  • IRS clarifies meaning of plan “contribution” for tax deduction purposes

    February / March 2020
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 748

    Abstract: When is an employer contribution to a retirement plan truly a contribution eligible for a tax deduction under ERISA Section 404(a)? Although this might seem like a rhetorical question, it was deemed worthy enough to warrant a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The IRS also addressed the matter in a chief counsel memorandum (CCM). This article discusses how the issue can arise when a plan sponsor does something more complicated than simply transfer corporate funds from its own bank account to that of the retirement plan trust in a straightforward manner. A short sidebar covers several examples from the CCM. Don E. Williams Co. v. Commissioner, 429 U.S. 569 (1977); IRS CCM 201935011

    Read More

  • COMPLIANCE ALERT

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 203

    Abstract: This feature lists a few key year-end tax reporting deadlines for December and January.

    Read More

  • Should your 401(k) vest now or later?

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 451

    Abstract: Survey data from the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) indicates that roughly 40% of 401(k) plan sponsors provide immediate vesting on their matching contributions. In theory, employers that offer immediate vesting on matching 401(k) contributions might have a leg up on other companies when recruiting workers in a tight labor market. This article discusses why immediate vesting is an important aspect of your recruiting strategy.

    Read More

  • Plan advisor fiduciary category status: It’s more than numbers

    Year End 2019
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 653

    Abstract: Like so many other facets of retirement plan management, the role of plan advisors who help you with plan investments is governed by ERISA. And it may seem that many plan sponsors speak in ERISA code sections. For plan sponsors, the question is: Do you need a 3(38) fiduciary, or is a 3(21)ii fiduciary more fitting? This article reviews the duties of each and why a plan sponsor may choose one or the other.

    Read More