Employee Benefits / Employment Law / HR
Showing 1–16 of 623 results
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 209
Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for June and July.
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COVID-19 pandemic – CARES Act expands financial options for impacted plan participants
June / July 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 436
Abstract: In its efforts to ease financial strains caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress made it easier for some 401(k) plan participants to tap into their retirement savings without penalty. This brief article highlights portions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that make changes to early distributions and plan loans.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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
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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.