|
|
Employee Benefits Jobs
|
|
Webcasts and Conferences
|
|
|
|
[Guidance Overview]
The EPCRS Changes and Their Impact on 403(b) and 457(b) Plans
"EPCRS applies to 403(b) plans in a similar fashion to qualified plans, with some variations. Technically, EPCRS does not apply to 457(b) plans at all! However, the last revision of EPCRS before the current update opened the door to governmental 457(b) plan submissions to the IRS outside of the EPCRS program on a provisional basis, utilizing standards that are similar to EPCRS. The door to private tax-exempt 457(b) plans, however, remains closed and no such submissions are permitted at all."
(National Tax-Deferred Savings Association [NTSA])
|
Two Year Window for Adopting Restated Preapproved Defined Contribution Plans Is Still Open
"Employers adopting preapproved plans still must be cognizant of potential issues, such as inconsistencies between the plan document, existing plan operations, established/written plan procedures, and participant communications. Documentation errors could arise when converting from an individually designed plan document to a preapproved document, but also could surface when moving between two preapproved documents sponsored by different vendors. [Certain] plan materials, in particular, require critical review before execution[.]"
(Ogletree Deakins)
|
Automatic Enrollment for 401(k) Plans
"The 'traditional' 401(k) plan is set up so that those who wish to enroll can and those who do not...do not. But, the default is that an employee does not make contributions until he or she takes the affirmative step to actually sign up for the plan. Automatic enrollment turns that arrangement on its head.... There are several flavors of automatic enrollment. The underlying concept is essentially the same but each one has some unique bells and whistles."
(RPG Consultants)
|
Vendor Monitoring: Going Beyond the Determination of Reasonableness
"Going beyond the determination of reasonableness of your service providers will further demonstrate your desire and efforts to act prudently and solely in the interest of your plan's participants and beneficiaries. [In this article] are some questions you will want to ask your recordkeeper to help you make informed decisions about the services they provide to your plan[.]"
(Pension Consultants Inc.)
|
|
|
ACA Turns Out to Be a Plus for 401(k)s
"Forty-four percent of respondents said the law has created an even greater need to provide employee benefits, while 43 percent said they've already boosted their contributions to employee retirement plans as a result of the reforms. There are, of course, those who are diverging from the pack. Among businesses with fewer than 50 employees, 27 percent said they already have, or will need to, drop retirement benefits."
(BenefitsPro)
|
Age 69-1/2: The IRA Owner's Most Important Year?
"In the year you reach age 69-1/2: [1] If you're still working, this is your final chance to make a traditional IRA regular contribution. [2] And it's your final year to roll your traditional IRA into your workplace plan (if you are still working) to totally avoid taking any required minimum distributions from the IRA. [3] Now's the time to consider other ways to reduce future RMDs too, such as Roth conversions and purchase of a QLAC."
(Natalie Choate, in Morningstar Advisor)
|
[Opinion]
Don't Mess with the G Fund
"The G Fund aims to deliver a rate of return higher than inflation while avoiding exposure to default risk and market price fluctuations.... [A] House Budget Committee report takes issue with how the interest rate on the G Fund is calculated, arguing that 'those who participate in the G Fund are rewarded with a long-term rate on what is essentially a short-term security.'... The House Budget Committee says basing the G Fund on a three-month average yield instead of a four-year average would save $32 billion over 10 years.... So how might this affect your retirement planning?"
(Government Executive)
|
[Opinion]
Defined Benefit Plans Are the Cornerstone of Retirement Security
"Defined benefit plans have proven time and again to be the cornerstone of retirement security and they are extraordinarily cost-effective, delivering retirement income at 50 percent of the cost of defined contribution accounts like 401(k)s. For employees that means a predictable income and peace of mind in retirement. For employers, they are important for recruiting and retaining their workforces."
(CalPERS)
|
|
Press Releases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional useful links:
BenefitsLink.com, Inc.
1298 Minnesota Avenue, Suite H
Winter Park, Florida 32789
Phone (407) 644-4146
Fax (407) 644-2151
Lois Baker, J.D., President
David Rhett Baker, J.D., Editor and Publisher
Holly Horton, Business Manager
Copyright 2015
BenefitsLink.com, Inc. — but feel free to forward this
newsletter without further permission from us, if you do not
modify the newsletter in any way (including this lower
portion).
All materials contained in this newsletter are
protected by United States copyright law and may not be
reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed,
published or broadcast without the prior written
permission of BenefitsLink.com, Inc., or in the case of
third party materials, the owner of that content. You
may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or
other notice from copies of the content.
Links to websites other than those owned by
BenefitsLink.com, Inc. are offered as a service to
readers. The editorial staff of BenefitsLink.com, Inc.
was not involved in their production and is not
responsible for their content.
We are proud of our
Privacy Policy.
Thanks for reading this newsletter!
|
