ESG’s Growing Influence on Proxy Voting
Due to regulatory changes and market demand, proxy voting is about to be more influenced by environmental, social and governance...
Compliance
Mercy Health Plan Fiduciaries to Pay $3.9 Million to Settle Lawsuit
The defendants will also retain an independent consultant to review investments and fees, according to the settlement agreement.
Kroger Faces ERISA Recordkeeping Fee Lawsuit
Fiduciaries of the grocery chain’s 401(k) plan are accused of allowing unreasonably high fees for recordkeeping services and failing to...
Provider Reviews, Contracts Emphasized in DOL Cybersecurity Guidance
Retirement plan fiduciaries often rely on their service providers to create the electronic systems used to maintain participant data and conduct electronic transactions involving plan assets—so the Department...
Most DC Plan Participants Can Defer Up to $20,500 to Plans in 2022
The IRS has announced 2022 retirement plan contribution and benefit limits.
IRS Summarizes Retirement Plan Hardship Withdrawal Rules
An updated Issue Snapshot reflects changes made by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and subsequent IRS regulations.
Fiduciaries Accused of Shortchanging Participants in ESOP Sale
A Department of Labor lawsuit says the fiduciaries allowed the ESOP's ownership shares to be sold for less than market...
Op-Ed: ERISA Prudence Demands Healthy ESG Skepticism
Neal Shikes agrees that ESG factors can be an important part of institutional investors’ methodologies, but he also says retirement...
KPMG Faces ERISA Lawsuit in New Jersey
The audit and tax advisory firm is accused of permitting the payment of excessive investment and administrative fees within its...
Expect the SEC To Get Tougher on Advisers, Advocate for Retirement Savers
The change in agency leadership has driven a clear change in focus and a new sense of urgency to act...
Could This Be a DOL ESG Framework That’s Here to Stay?
In addition to the important practical takeaways of the DOL’s proposed rule on ESG investing and proxy voting, sources say...
Walgreen Co. Agrees to Settle Suit Challenging Underperforming TDFs
The challenged target-date funds have already been taken out of the plan, and the defendants have agreed to pay $13.75...
DOL Provides Transitional Relief for Investment Advice Rules
A newly issued Field Assistance Bulletin provides that investment advice fiduciaries now have until January 31, 2022, to comply with the impartial conduct standards in the fiduciary prohibited...
Plan Sponsor Clients Need to Know What Causes a Deemed Distribution
An IRS Issue Snapshot addresses retirement plan participant loan rules that must be followed to avoid having a loan or...
GKN Latest to Face Scrutiny Over GoalMaker Service
Though its GoalMaker portfolio management solution features prominently in the plaintiffs’ allegations, Prudential is not a party in the case.
Taxpayers Association Seeks Supreme Court Review of ERISA Pre-emption Case
The plaintiffs in the case believe California should not be permitted to operate the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program on the...
Settlement in Dignity Health Church Plan Lawsuit Gets Preliminary Approval
Given a third shot, a judge found the parties finally got the settlement terms right.
Cumulus Media Granted Summary Judgment in 401(k) Excessive Fee Suit
A court found a separation agreement signed by the plaintiff when his employment with the company terminated precludes the lawsuit.
Advocacy Continues for Retirement-Related Provisions in Budget Draft, Other Bills
Industry professionals who work with lawmakers in Washington say they remain hopeful that retirement security issues will be addressed in the federal government’s budget for fiscal year 2022.
Plaintiffs Claim Deloitte Breached ERISA Prudence Duties
Arguments in the new case closely resemble previous lawsuits filed against other firms citing the ERISA fiduciary duties of prudence...