COVID-19’s impact on employers has caused a massive amount of reductions in force and layoffs nationwide. A consequence of these reductions is the potential for an employer’s qualified plan to experience a partial plan termination. If a partial plan termination requires the full vesting of affected participants. Read more.

Ethically responsible investing has been a hot topic in recent years. In response to increasing demand from investors, a new class of “sustainable investing” vehicles – that is, investments that focus on non-pecuniary interests such as environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors – has emerged in the marketplace in recent years. Read more.

Does your plan require an annual audit? If your eligible participant count (including terminated employees who maintain an account balance) exceeds 100 at the beginning of your plan year, you will be required to conduct a benefit plan audit including financial statements attached to the Form 5500 (the one exception is the *80-120 rule).  Read more.

It may be advantageous for a plan sponsor to consider adopting a traditional safe harbor design for their retirement plan. Adopting a safe harbor retirement plan design permits an employer to essentially avoid discrimination testing (the testing is deemed met). Read more.