Compliance

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) participant fee disclosure requirements go into effect August 30, and the majority of plan sponsors surveyed are ready.

Florida broker saw lunar effects on the stock market, but managed to miss the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) fraud charges coming his way.

Gary J. Martel, of Chelsea, Massachusetts, was charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with defrauding investors of $1.6 million. His assets were also frozen.

The deadline is approaching to amend affected deferred compensation arrangements to comply with Code Section 409A requirements for payments contingent on execution of a release of claims.

Thomas Brown Hammond was sentenced Wednesday to four years and nine months in prison for retirement fund theft.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released amendments to the pay-to-play rule under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Distinguishing between education and advice is among the most difficult issues when updating the definition of fiduciary, according to a Department of Labor (DOL) official.

When discussing how plan sponsors can protect against litigation, the main message from panelists at the 2012 PLANSPONSOR National Conference concerned documentation.

Phyllis Borzi, assistant secretary for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), announced tools to help participants understand fee disclosures.

What regulatory changes are in store for retirement plans? 

The bill is crucial to protect middle-class Americans who need the services of a financial adviser, the president of the Financial Services Institute (FSI) told Congress.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) pointed out that oversight of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been mixed.

 The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has announced more workshops for retirement plan fiduciaries. 

The American Benefits Council welcomes proposed regulations to Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e), on the treatment of benefits paid partially as an annuity and partially in another form...

The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) has asked for additional guidance concerning Roth 401(k) accounts.

A Los Angeles law firm has begun an investigation into the Chesapeake Energy Corporation Savings and Incentive Stock Bonus Plan.

 Increasing 401(k) plan participation rates is high on many companies’ priority lists, but what are the most effective tactics?  

The Department of Labor appointed an independent fiduciary to manage the 401(k) plan of a now-defunct New Jersey company in the wake of a lawsuit.

Some advisers say certain issues did not make the FAQs about fee disclosure in the Department of Labor’s recently issued field assistance bulletin. 

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of retirement plan documents showed some sponsors face challenges in understanding the fees they and their participants are charged.