Coronavirus News for Plan Advisers

A full record of our coverage is also available in our coronavirus news feed, available here.

April 1, 2020
CARES Act Update: Important Points About RMDs

Both the SECURE Act and the CARES Act make important changes to the rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs). 

March 27th, 2020
IRS Extends Remedial Amendment Period for 403(b)s and Pensions

The March 31 deadline for 403(b) plans has been extended to June 30, while the April 30 deadline for DB plans has been pushed to July 31. 

March 27th, 2020
Congress Passes $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Package

Those retirement plan professionals who have navigated a natural disaster in their region will recognize some of the relief being granted on a national level. 

March 26th, 2020
How to Run a Remote Advisory Firm

“This is likely the moment we will become full-time remote and never go back.” 

March 26th, 2020
Stimulus Package, Including Retirement Provisions, Passed by Senate

The “CARES Act” eases required minimum distribution requirements and seeks to make penalty-free hardship withdrawals and loans readily available for those impacted by the virus. 

March 25th, 2020
As Congressional Help Looms, Providers Foresee Hardship Spike

Even as they await federal action, retirement plan recordkeepers have put plans in place to help workers and retirees make the best financial decisions during this challenging time in the markets.

March 23rd, 2020
Retirees and Investors Watch for Congressional Coronavirus Action

Recordkeepers expect the volume of loans, hardships and withdrawals will increase in coming weeks and months.

March 17th, 2020
Responding to Coronavirus, SEC Eases Certain Fund and Adviser Requirements

While in-person participation is an important part of the financial system regulated by the SEC, the virus is forcing market makers to significantly adjust their operations.

March 16th, 2020
News Reports: Treasury Wants to See Money Market Fund Guarantee

Media outlets suggest one of the federal government’s responses to the coronavirus outbreak will be to temporarily guarantee money market funds—mirroring what proved to be an important policy decision made during the Great Recession.

March 12th, 2020
Bear Markets Offer Annuity Education Opportunity

The U.S. stock market has entered bear market territory after its record bull run; one silver lining is the opportunity to educate people about annuities.

March 11th, 2020
Could Market Volatility (or Recession) Disrupt Record M&A Activity?

For some years now, advisory firm owners have enjoyed a sellers’ market that has spurred record merger and acquisition volumes.

March 10th, 2020
Ongoing Volatility Projected by Major Asset Managers

Retirement investors have little choice but to stay the course; even backing away from the markets for a short period can prove detrimental to long-term returns.

March 4th, 2020
401(k) Trading Spiked at the End of February

As the markets tanked amid fears of a worldwide coronavirus outbreak, the last week of the month was among the busiest stretches in the 20 year-plus history of the Alight Solutions 401(k) Index.

February 27th, 2020
Investors Must React to Coronavirus Volatility With Caution

“Although the unfortunate reality is that volatility like this may be here to stay until the coronavirus runs its course, experience has proven time and time again that cool heads typically prevail,” analysts say.