A Share of the Wealth
ESOPs Benefit Plan Sponsors and Participants
Research examines how employee stock ownership plans have helped workers and employers alike throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicago Consultant Faces New ESOP Lawsuit
The complaint claims ERISA violations against the company for allegedly deflating the plan’s value.
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 value to benefit themselves and two board member's children.
Proposed Bill Would Give 403(b) Plan Sponsors Access to Open MEPs
The SECURE Act's provisions for pooled employer plans (PEPs) did not apply to 403(b) plans.
Republic, GreatBanc Agree to Settlement of ESOP Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges a series of bad-faith dealings were made that caused losses to the ESOP while benefiting executives.
Wilmington Trust to Pay $80 Million to Settle DOL Investigations
The DOL alleged Wilmington Trust caused losses to ESOPs when it authorized them to pay more than fair market value for privately held employer stock.
Wawa ESOP Case Stayed Until Settlement Agreement Drafted
A judge previously found eliminating ESOP participants’ right to invest in company stock is not a violation of ERISA’s anti-cutback provisions, but forcing participants with balances greater than $5,000 out of the plan may be.
Wilmington Trust to Pay $5 Million to Settle ESOP Lawsuit
The motion cites as one reason for settlement “probable costs, in both time and money, of continued litigation.”
Employee-Owned
Advisers’ Future Trajectory
Court Finds Former ESOP Participant Released Claims to Sue
A federal court judge found a severance agreement was broad enough to cover Employee Retirement Security Act (ERISA) claims against the trustee of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
ESOPs Can Reduce Wealth Inequality
IRS Discusses Ways ESOPs Can Prevent Violation of Nonallocation Year Rules
Since there are no prescribed correction methods to address Internal Revenue Code Section 409(p) violations, prevention methods are important considerations for both employee stock ownership plan design and operation, the IRS says.
ESOPs Offer Additional Business Opportunity for Retirement Plan Advisers
ESOPs Can Boost Company Performance and Participant Savings
For the third year in a row, respondent companies to the ESOP Association's annual survey saw profits rise more than revenue, and a more than half of companies contributed more to their ESOPs than the average 401(k) match.
DOL Called Out for Lack of ESOP Guidance
A letter to the president from members of Congress asks for protection against the DOL's practice of “regulation through litigation.”
Bill to Help Companies Establish ESOPs Signed by President
"As businesses become more aware of employee ownership's advantages—which include higher corporate performance, a share in the rewards for employees, and a retirement plan that often outperforms other alternatives—it is easy to see employee ownership increasing,” said ESOP Association President J. Michael Keeling.
Rainbow ESOP Challenge Easily Beats Motions to Dismiss
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are participants and beneficiaries of the Rainbow Disposal Co., Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, who seek to restore losses to the plan and to otherwise remedy a complicated series of alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
Bill Introduced to Help Small Businesses Offer ESOPs
It would provide $500 million in support of employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) programs and would operate through the Small Business Administration.