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Latest Marketplace News

Blue Ridge Associates Unveils Rebranding and Launches New Website

SageView Acquires OnTrack 401k of Maryland

Phyllis Borzi, Mark Iwry, and David Kasiarz Earn 2024 Lifetime Achievement Awards From EBRI

Empower to Offer Income Products From Allianz, Putnam, and TIAA

Transamerica Introduces DWC 401k Pooled Plan Solutions

Stax.ai Raises Funding to $11.65M, Marking New Era for Retirement TPA Industry

Market Research Firm Dalbar Releases Top 10 DC Websites

Bain Capital Completes Acquisition of Envestnet

Corebridge Updates Retirement-Centered Digital Portals


Latest Published Articles, Papers, and Research From Across the Web

What the 2025 Tax Debate Could Mean for 401ks

Key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. During that year, it is anticipated that a Republican-controlled government will seek to extend these tax cuts and may consider retirement tax incentives as a way to offset potential revenue losses. Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association, says that any tax bill could lead to broader changes in the entire tax code.

Source: Napa-net.org, December 2024

When 401k Plan Sponsors Have to Say No

The author reflects on their personal growth from being shy and agreeable in childhood to becoming more assertive in adulthood, particularly in their professional role as a 401k plan sponsor. They emphasize the importance of being able to say no when necessary, despite the desire to maintain positive relationships with participants and providers. The article discusses the necessity of setting boundaries and making tough decisions in the context of managing a 401k plan.

Source: Jdsupra.com, December 2024

Annuities Are the Antithesis of Fiduciary Prudence: Commentary

The author raises concerns about the potential fiduciary risks associated with offering lifetime income annuities in 401k plans. They question why plan sponsors consider such investments when there is no legal requirement under ERISA or other laws to include them. While some plan sponsors feel compelled to provide retirement income options for employees, the author argues that this perspective is legally misguided. They assert that employers can fulfill their fiduciary duties by ensuring that the investment options are prudent and cost-efficient without including annuities in the plan. Employees can seek annuities independently, thus avoiding additional liability for plan sponsors.

Source: Fiduciaryinvestsense.com, December 2024

SECURE 2.0 Permits Employer Roth Contributions

As the January 1 plan year approaches, 401k plan sponsors are considering potential changes to their plans in light of the features introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. One notable feature allows participants to elect Employer Contributions as Roth amounts, instead of the traditional pre-tax contributions. This option applies to various retirement plans, including 401k, 403b, and governmental 457b plans, as outlined in SECURE 2.0 Section 604. This article serves as a reminder for plan sponsors on how to implement this new provision effectively.

Source: Ferenczylaw.com, December 2024

Rebuttal to the American Association for Justice's Supreme Court Amicus Brief Extolling the Virtue of Private ERISA Litigation

The author addresses criticisms presented by the American Association for Justice concerning the Supreme Court's handling of ERISA cases. The article argues that the AAJ's portrayal of ERISA litigation is misleading and does not accurately reflect the realities of the legal landscape surrounding retirement plans. Overall, the article serves as a counter-narrative to the AAJ's position, defending the current legal framework governing ERISA while underscoring the importance of fiduciary duties in safeguarding retirement plan participants.

Source: Encorefiduciary.com, December 2024

What Is a plan document?

The question this short item tackles is about the necessity of a plan document. A plan document is defined as the official and legally binding record of a retirement plan's rules. The discussion emphasizes the importance of having this document, not only for compliance with regulations set by the IRS and DOL but also for clarity and confidence in managing employee benefits.

Source: Employeebenefitslawreport.com, December 2024

DOL Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database Begins Voluntary Data Collection Process

On November 18, 2024, the DOL announced the immediate collection of information from retirement plan administrators to create a new online "Retirement Savings Lost and Found" database. This initiative, established by the SECURE 2.0 Act, aims to reconnect individuals who have lost track of their retirement benefits with the corresponding retirement plans. Currently, participation by plan administrators in populating this database is voluntary. This article reviews specific questions addressed in the DOL announcement.

Source: Compliancedashboard.net, December 2024

How Smart Is Your Retirement Plan Design?

Nearly two decades ago, Congress facilitated the integration of automatic enrollment and automatic increase features in retirement plans by offering safe harbor protections. Since then, these features have gained traction as best practices, supported by Congress, federal regulators, and state legislatures. This evolution provides an ideal moment for employers who have yet to implement these features to reassess their plan design and consider making these beneficial changes. For more insights on this significant shift in defined contribution plans, this paper offers a comprehensive overview.

Source: Bofa.com, December 2024

More Articles, Papers, and Research »


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Collected Wisdom™

Our researchers look for what they think are some of the better resources available to assist you in administering your plan or helping your clients. We group these resources in our COLLECTED WISDOM™ topics to make it easy for you to locate the information you need. Each item in a category contains a summary and date of when it was placed in the group.

We also maintain some older material in these collections for perspective and context.

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Tools and Resources

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