PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - Exploring the Value of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives
Legal Alert | DOL Opens ESG Door: What Does It Mean for Plan Fiduciaries?
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - What Constitutes Plan Assets Under ERISA?
Corporate Fiduciaries Holding Cryptocurrency - Digital Planning Podcast
Legislation Discussion with PA State Senator Tom Killion
Discussion of PA’s Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
Stockholder litigation is on the rise both in volume and notoriety. The number of federal securities actions filed jumped in 2023, while the plaintiffs’ bar has been buoyed by high-profile victories in the Delaware Court of...more
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently released the Retirement Security Rule - yet another iteration of its updated fiduciary rule that has been kicking around the agency for over a decade....more
On April 23, the US Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule significantly expanding the definition of who qualifies as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) (the Retirement Security...more
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its final “investment advice rule” on April 23, 2024 — set to become effective in September — after several failed attempts, years of deliberations and multiple lawsuits. If not...more
What has changed with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final regulations and certain prohibited transaction exemptions (PTEs)? Is it really that bad even for plan sponsors, as we hear from the many critics of the DOL’s...more
Following previous failed attempts to expand the fiduciary liability of financial services providers, the DOL released a new rule that broadens the definition of “fiduciary” under ERISA. The new rule is expected to face...more
The Division of Enforcement (“Division”) for the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released the 2024 Examination Priorities Report (“Report”) highlighting the key areas the Division will examine in 2024. The SEC’s...more
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved applications from large investment firms to offer spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Retail investors can now buy bitcoin ETFs on traditional...more
This newsletter provides updates employers should be aware of heading into 2024, including an outline of the updated 2024 retirement and welfare plan limits, instructions related to the “gag order” attestation requirements...more
The Department of Labor (“DOL”) on October 31, 2023—Halloween—issued a release (the “Release”) proposing to make changes to the 1975 rule (the “1975 Rule”) defining when institutions and individuals are providing fiduciary...more
Under Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), the SEC imposes a best interest standard on account recommendations by broker-dealers. This is because recommending an account type is viewed by the SEC as recommending an investment...more
The United States is in the process of transitioning ESG disclosure from voluntary, market-led reporting to a regulatory-driven scheme, principally led by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) anticipated (but...more
On May 3, 2023, the Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to Form PF (the “Final Amendments”). Plan fiduciaries that utilize private equity funds, and regulated entities that serve these plan sponsors,...more
Who may be interested: Registered Investment Companies, Registered Investment Advisers - Quick Take: The staff of the SEC’s Division of Examinations (Staff) recently issued a risk alert (Alert) addressing the status of...more
On January 26, 2023, twenty-five states, plus a publicly traded energy company with a subsidiary that is a fiduciary and trustee under ERISA, a trade association for the oil and gas industry, and a participant in an ERISA...more
To date, 27 states have adopted rules that follow the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Recent additions reflected in the following...more
Highlighted below are several recent opinions from the Delaware Court of Chancery relating to special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) that provide helpful guidance to sponsors, investors and practitioners. These cases...more
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published for comment on September 30 a proposed rule change by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that would amend FINRA Rule 2231—the customer account...more
The Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption and Its Impact on Recommendations to Plans, Participants and IRAs (Part 9) - On February 16, 2021, the DOL’s prohibited transaction exemption (PTE) 2020-02 became...more
On December 11, 2020, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued a pre-publication version of its final regulations with respect to proxy voting in plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act...more
In the News. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted broad exempt offering reforms; the Department of Labor (DOL) finalized a rule, with significant revisions from the original proposal, on ESG investments; the...more
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “Department”) proposed a rule intended to “provide clear regulatory guideposts for plan fiduciaries in light of recent trends involving environmental, social and...more
The United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) has had a very active summer regulating the securities industry. Yes, you heard it right, the DOL has made certain pronouncements that have considerable effect on the securities...more
As anticipated, 2020 has seen a number of fiduciary and best interest advice regulations advance at both the federal and state levels. Firms subject to these regulations face challenges in dealing with rules that impose a...more
Update: FINRA announced this week that its recently approved amendments to Rule 5130 (New Issue Rule) and 5131 (Anti-Spinning Rule) will be effective January 1, 2020. See, FINRA Regulatory Notice 19-37, published December 19,...more