Compliance

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced cost of living adjustments (COLAs) affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2013.

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 62 million Americans will increase 1.7% in 2013, the Social Security Administration announced.

Hostess Brands Inc. proposed withholding contributions to its company defined benefit (DB) and multiemployer pension plans (MEPPs) for two years, according to a court filing.

Kodak and its Official Committee of Retirees have agreed on a proposal to terminate retiree health care and survivor benefits, or other post-employment benefits (OPEB).

A court ruled that an informal inquiry by a plan participant about mismanagement of plan assets is protected activity under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

 Because multiple employer plans (MEPs) have been touted as a solution to expanding retirement plan coverage for Americans, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) explored this option. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) filed a lawsuit against GreatBanc Trust Co. and Sierra Aluminum Co., alleging that stock overvaluations led to losses for Employee Stock Ownership Plan...

Trustees of the Irotas Manufacturing Co. Inc. 401(k) plan have been sentenced for embezzling $487,000 from the plan, and have been ordered to pay restitution.

The Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) re-proposal of the definition of fiduciary is another indication that fiduciary responsibilities are increasing, and broker/dealers in particular could be impacted.

403(b)s have been excused by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from obtaining certain acknowledgements.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. $500,000 for failing to file hundreds of required reports.

A federal appellate court ruled that an employer’s failure to keep adequate records shifts the burden of proof to the employer that it does not owe contributions to...

An education policy statement and an education strategy document are helpful in building a retirement plan education program for employees.

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) launched a website that offers information about fee disclosures to help workers with defined contribution (DC) retirement plans.

Industry groups have recommended to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a “safe harbor” correction for automatic enrollment failures.

Benchmarking a retirement plan includes analyses of providers, investments and the plan itself, attendees at the 2012 PLANADVISER National Conference learned.

It’s possible to broaden your practice successfully without running afoul of the rules, Roberta Ufford, principal at Groom Law Group, told conference attendees.

Plan sponsors have a fiduciary obligation to avoid prohibited transactions or overpaying for fees – which is where 408(b)(2) fee disclosure regulation...

Multiple-employer plans (MEPs) do not absolve plan sponsors from fiduciary responsibility, despite what marketing campaigns may advertise.

Brokerage windows should not be used to sidestep fee disclosure, a source from the Department of Labor (DOL) stressed.