Wickersham retired?

Somone just told me that Dick Wickersham has retired. Is this true? If so, he will be missed at the various conferences and the IRS will surely miss his wealth of knowledge.

I have heard that he retired on Monday, April 28th.

It's true that he left. Rumour has it that they are trying to get him to come back. Rumours are bad - but I hope this one is true and that they are successful.

Judging by some comments I have overheard, others may disagree about that.

Disagree about what? Whether they are trying to get him to come back or whether it's a good if he does come back?

Whether they are trying to get him to come back is a rumour that I had heard, so I can't comment on that.

But, whether it would good if he returns is subjective and I have no doubt that some people don't want him to return. My personal opinion (which is irrelevant) is that it would be good if he returns. While many of us disagree with some of his opinions, at least he was willing to give an opinion. He's extremely intelligent, has a passion for what he does and his opinions are generally not off the cuff (i.e., most are well reasoned). Yes, there are times where an opinion seems off the cuff and not well reasoned. But, he is a known quantity. Without him, you'll either have the sole opinion of Jim Holland or you won't get any opinion at all.

It's not for us to decide, so we'll just have to move on and see what happens ...

Wick's departure was confirmed at the ABA May meeting yesterday. An IRS speaker said something like "We'll see if it's permanent." I've heard he was very upset about something that was happening at IRS.

q8r

One of the big challenges afced by those who represent taxpayers and those who render guidance on complex tax issues, is getting opinions from the IRS or Treasury itself.

It is always a great loss whenever any IRS or Treasury official, who is willing to give opinions that are well reasoned and well supported, leaves.

He will be missed by many, even those who have had problems involving him.

As you so rightly pointed out, without him we will have almost nothing.

Sorry for my sloppy phrasing. I have heard others express unhappiness with Wickersham. I agree that losing his willingness to participate in discussions, and to offer opinions, would be a loss for many. The depth and breadth he has brought to professional meetings has always been important.

Dick Wickersham was my Branch Chief when I joined the IRS right out of law school 25 years ago. I want to caveat my remarks with the fact that I have considered him a friend for all of these years.

Having reported directly to him for more than three years, I can tell you that the IRS losing him is a much bigger loss than most people can imagine.

Dick was one of the original drafters of ERISA, as were Ira Cohen and Bill Lieber (deceased). Furthermore, he was directly and indirectly involved in innumerable regulations projects, legislative drafting sessions, etc. since then.

He was without a doubt one of the most knowledgeable persons in the country about issues regarding tax-qualified retirement plans. He was clearly the most authoritative about the IRS perspective on those matters.

Dick spent an immense amount of time over the years speaking at conferences with practitioners.

There is no one now at a senior level at the IRS that has the instititional knowledge that Dick possessed. He will be sorely missed.

The scuttlebutt here in Washinton was that one or more higher-ups did not like his management approach. They asked him to leave his post and take on a more technical position without as much management authority. He responded by walking out that day.

If they do get him to come back, it is not clear in what capacity it would be in.

As a pre-ERISA practitioner, I started talking with Dick shortly after the passage of ERISA. I always found him approachable and willing to talk about issues. He would not always give the IRS answers to questions, but was willing to give his opinion on them. No matter what position he held at the Service, his approach to dealing with practitioners didn't change. He will be missed.

I have worked a number of conferences where I have been on panels with Dick. He is one valuable resource and one hard working individual aside from being super intelligent, humorous and an all around good speaker.

I do not think that anyone in the pension community today has the all around knowledge and insight that so easily flows from him, no matter what the issue.

I think we would lose a great resource if he does not come back.

Hey Dave. Has he sent you his resume yet?

I just received the following:

On April 28, Dick Wickersham, Manager of Employee Plans Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance, abruptly retired from the IRS. He reportedly gave two weeks notice and used two weeks of accrued vacation time to satisfy that notice. Sources at the IRS have said that they are trying to woo him back.

I would like everyone to know that (1) Dick Wickersham is not returning to Employee Plans and (2) therefore, we are hosting a retirement party in his honor this coming Thursday, May 22, 2003, at The Exchange, 1719 G Street, Washington, DC. from 3:00 p.m. until... The Exchange is located a couple of doors down from the rear entrance of the 1750 Pennsylvania building (the building that houses TEGE.)

There will be a cash bar available at Happy Hour prices plus lots of Exchange appetizers, bad jokes and surprises.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Joyce Kahn by phone at 202-283-9586, or via e-mail at joyce.i.kahn@irs.gov

A $5.00 contribution for food is appreciated. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for the invitation and its nice (I think) to know that the Manager of Employee Plans Voluntary Compliance sometimes looks at these Boards.

Irreplaceable

I'll be there on Thursday.