"The [IRS] has largely ended its determination letter program by which sponsors of individually designed retirement plans can obtain confirmation that their plan documents are tax-qualified.... Effective January 1, 2017, the IRS will issue determination letters only when a plan is initially established or terminated.... In response to the void created by the IRS, Ballard Spahr has developed a new Retirement Plan Opinion Letter Program. Under the Program, Ballard Spahr will review an individually designed retirement plan document (and any amendments) and issue an opinion letter regarding the plan document's tax-qualified status. For most plan sponsors, we anticipate providing our new service on an annual basis (for a flat fee) to address qualification requirements as they are updated each year."  MORE >>