Generally, a defined benefit plan provides an accrued benefit commencing at a participant’s Normal Retirement Date that pays a flat benefit over the lifetime of the participant. If a plan provides for a distribution as a...more
The Treasury has published final regulations on the methodology for constructing the yield curve that underlies how present values are calculated for defined benefit plans. The final regulations are nearly identical to the...more
This holiday week, the IRS issued its long-anticipated guidance on miscellaneous changes under SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) that are effective now (or in short order). Specifically, Notice 2024-2 (“Notice”), covers,...more
The IRS recently published final regulations regarding new mortality tables to be used for most qualified defined benefit plans. 88 Fed. Reg. 72,357 (Oct. 20, 2023). The new tables are effective for plan years starting in...more
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) recently issued Technical Update Number 23-1 to provide for certain underfunded pension plans a limited waiver from the reporting requirements under ERISA section 4010 due to...more
On June 23, the Treasury published proposed regulations on the methodology for constructing the yield curve that underlies how present values are calculated for defined benefit plans (88 Fed Reg 41047). The proposed...more
Yesterday, the Senate passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (the “CAA”) to fund the government through September 30, 2023. Division T of the legislation is the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”), which builds...more
On July 8, 2022 the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) published its final regulation implementing the Special Financial Assistance (“SFA”) program for multiemployer pension plans under the American Rescue Plan Act...more
A recent district court decision improperly (in our view) restricts the ability of plan sponsors to modify participant distribution elections after normal retirement age. We describe the decision, and offer some...more
On March 4, 2022, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts dismissed a putative class action alleging that a plan used outdated, and therefore unreasonable, actuarial assumptions when making benefits...more
Upcoming deadline alert! Plan sponsors should prepare for these upcoming February 2022 deadlines to ensure federal compliance and avoid penalties....more
Upcoming deadline alert! Plan sponsors should prepare for these upcoming January 2022 deadlines to ensure federal compliance and avoid penalties....more
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the “IIJA”) into law. IIJA contains two sections that may affect qualified retirement plans....more
As we approach the end of 2021, it’s again time for sponsors of 401(a) and 403(b) plans to review their plan documents and plan operations to ensure compliance with increasingly complex qualification requirements. While...more
On July 30, the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2021-48, providing guidance on how plans should implement the funding relief provisions contained in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA” or “Act”). Below we...more
On April 27, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued informal guidance on partial plan terminations as part of the COVID-related tax relief provided under The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (the...more
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (Pub. Law 117-2, the “Act” or “ARPA”). The Act, among other things, provides significant funding relief for single-employer defined benefit...more
On March 10, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the version of the American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319, the “Act”) previously passed by the Senate on March 6. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation on...more
3/12/2021
/ Affordable Care Act ,
CARES Act ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Flexible Spending Accounts ,
Health Insurance ,
Multiemployer Plan ,
Paid Leave ,
Relief Measures ,
Sick Leave ,
Tax Credits
On November 5, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released final regulations under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). 85 Fed. Reg. 72472 (Nov. 12, 2020). The final regulations, which closely...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) passed earlier this year delayed the due date of quarterly and final contributions otherwise due in calendar year 2020 to January 1, 2021. But because...more
On July 31, the IRS issued Notice 2020-61 (the “Notice”) to provide guidance related to the special funding rules applicable to single-employer defined benefit pension plans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic...more
8/17/2020
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
CARES Act ,
Deadlines ,
Defined Benefit Plans ,
Employee Benefits ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Form 5500 ,
Guidance Update ,
IRS ,
Notification Requirements ,
PBGC ,
Retirement Plan
The House of Representatives recently passed a fourth round of legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill – called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (the “HEROES Act” or the...more
6/1/2020
/ CARES Act ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Health and Welfare Plans ,
Health Insurance ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Pensions ,
Relief Measures ,
Retirement Plan
Effective March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) brings immediate changes and relief to 401(k) plans, similar to natural disaster relief issued in the past. ...more
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748, the “CARES Act” or “the Act”). The Act is the largest economic stimulus bill in American history and provides...more
The last two weeks have seen dramatic changes for communities and businesses as COVID-19 has spread to all parts of the world. Significant disruptions for businesses and individuals have become necessary as we work together...more