Podcast: Discussing and Demystifying the IRS News Release on ESOPs
(A)ESOP's Fables - The Income and Estate Tax-Free ESOP
Investment Management Update – Exit Strategies
ESOPs: A Path to Bank Independence
The following checklist highlights key issues for corporate counsel with respect to employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements....more
The Internal Revenue Service released the cost-of-living adjusted qualified retirement plan and welfare plan limitations effective January 1, 2025. For ease of reference and comparison to prior years, we have placed the...more
The IRS has announced inflation-adjusted limits for retirement plans in Notice 2024-80. The 2025 retirement plan limits are summarized here....more
When business owners consider their business succession options, they often determine their objectives, analyze company resources and capabilities, and review strategic alternatives. Among these strategic alternatives are...more
As the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) celebrates its 50th anniversary, it offers us an opportunity to reflect on its transformative impact on employee benefits and retirement security. Signed into law on...more
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”) made numerous changes to the complex web that makes up U.S. retirement plan laws. Of interest to S corporations that may be considering an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) is...more
On behalf of the ESOPs & Employee Benefits team, we hope you’re enjoying the first days of Spring, when the longer days allow more time to ponder the ever-changing landscape of employee benefits compliance. Please find below...more
The Internal Revenue Service announced the 2024 cost-of-living adjustments to the dollar limitations for qualified retirement plans and other benefits, and the Social Security Administration announced its own cost-of-living...more
The IRS has announced increased annual limits for retirement and other benefit plans for 2024. While the increases for 2024 are smaller than we’ve seen in prior years, they still may have a significant impact on plans and...more
On November 1, 2023, the 2024 calendar year cost-of-living adjustments to the contribution and compensation limits for tax-qualified retirement plans were released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Notice 2023-75....more
In Rose v. PSA Airlines, Inc., 80 F.4th 488 (4th Cir. 2023), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that ERISA § 502(a)(3), which permits a claim for “other appropriate equitable relief,” does not allow claims...more
As summer turns to fall, the employee benefits landscape continues to evolve. A few of our thoughts on recent updates are below. Also be on the lookout over the coming weeks for a separate guide to SECURE 2.0 provisions that...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued IR-2023-144 (the Notice), warning stakeholders of compliance issues associated with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) related to the tax liability of high-income...more
I always believe that regardless of whether it’s business or regular day-to-day life, you can’t be everything for everybody. Being honest with that is only half the battle....more
Last week, the IRS announced it was increasing enforcement strategies aimed at Employee Stock Ownership Plans “ESOPs”. The IRS stated this new focus on ESOPs is part of the effort to ensure tax laws are applied fairly and...more
ESOPs can pay fair market value for the stock: Stock purchased by an ESOP must be appraised by an independent third party expert working with a trustee for the ESOP who must also be independent from the seller. The ESOP is...more
As part of SECURE 2.0, Congress directed the Department of Labor to develop an employee ownership initiative to encourage and incentivize employee ownership in the companies they work for. Last month, the Department of Labor...more
In August of 2018, the Main Street Employee Ownership Act (“MSEOA”) became law as part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. The intent behind the MSEOA was to promote the establishment of employee stock...more
Courts have been mixed regarding the enforceability of arbitration provisions in Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) retirement plans since the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2019 decision in Dorman v. Charles...more
It is no secret that many businesses minimize risk by requiring arbitration of disputes on an individual basis. The exposure created by a single claim pales next to that presented by a class claim, asserted under Rule 23, on...more
The Secure Act 2.0 of 2022, enacted in the closing days of 2022, makes a substantial number of changes to tax-qualified retirement plans, most of which are intended to increase plan coverage and retirement savings. Although...more
While case law regarding the enforceability of arbitration provisions in ERISA retirement plans has been mixed, since the Ninth Circuit’s 2019 decision in Dorman v. Charles Schwab Corp. enforcing a 401(k) plan’s arbitration...more
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE Act 2.0) makes far-reaching changes to the US retirement plan system. Our initial SECURE Act 2.0 LawFlash provided a general overview of its significant provisions. This blog post—one in our...more
The Senate ushered in the New Year with a bang by passing SECURE 2.0 on December 22, 2022. SECURE 2.0 includes many updates to the sweeping changes brought about under 2019’s original SECURE Act legislation...more
Happy New Year from the K&C ESOPs & Employee Benefits group! We hope 2023 finds you off to a healthy and productive start. The last quarter of 2022 saw significant updates in the benefits field—as the year was drawing...more