Urgent: Congress Agrees to New Tax Reform Bill
In light of recent legislation passed by the House and Senate, we are providing an update on the new tax…
A Compass for Your 401(k)
Do you need an investment policy statement for your 401(k) plan? The answer is “yes,” given the growing complexity of the…
Audit Your Retirement Plan Before the Feds Do
It’s a good idea for companies to self-audit their retirement plans to determine if there are any problems — before they hear from…
Being Prepared Helps Ensure Successful HSA Rollout
Many employers are intrigued with health savings accounts (HSAs) — one of the most recent consumer-driven health plan concepts. HSAs offer…
Avoid Mistakes That Undermine a Deferred Comp Plan
Companies frequently use non-qualified deferred compensation plans in their pay packages for executives and key employees. Because these plans are not subject to the same compensation and benefits limits that apply to qualified plans, they help build adequate retirement income for high earners. They also offer tax advantages by deferring tax into later years when high earners may be in a lower tax bracket. Here are some mistakes to avoid when maintaining a non-qualified deferred comp plan.
Guidance for Plan Administrators on QDROs
Sooner or later, a benefits administrator is likely to face a situation where a divorcing employee will be subject to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) issued by a court. Are you prepared? Here are several key steps that an administrator must take to meet its obligations.
Protection if Employees’ 401(k) Choices Yield Poor Results
For several years now, we have seen major changes in retirement planning as the responsibility for financing and investment choices has shifted increasingly to employees. Although plan administrators are generally not responsible if an employee makes a poor choice, they are expected to ensure that a broad range of prudent choices is available. Is your business in compliance with the law?