"This notice provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates ... and the 24-month average segment rates ... [as well as] the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities ... as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008 and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate[.]"  MORE >>

"On September 6, Missouri Governor Mike Parsons signed SB 20, one of whose provisions makes permanent a law enacted in 2016 that provides a 50% reduction in state capital gains taxes for business owners selling to an ESOP as long as the ESOP owns at least 30% of the company after the sale. The law was originally set to sunset in 2023, but this new law removes the sunset provision, making it permanent. Iowa passed a very similar law in 2012."  MORE >>

"[1] Recommendations within pension plans ... [2] Federal pensions law ... [3] Current investment advice regulations ... [4] Recent regulatory actions." [IF12492 Sep. 15, 2023]  MORE >>

"Regulations and guidance over the past decades have expanded and shrunk the definition of an ERISA investment advice fiduciary."  MORE >>

"Created in 1977 and amended several times over the years, PTE 84-24 allows producers to receive commissions when retirement plans and IRAs purchase insurance and annuity contracts. So there is plenty of consternation afoot over what the [DOL] plans to do with the popular exemption within its fiduciary rule rewrite."  MORE >>

14 pages. "This issue brief explores two alternative approaches to enhancing retirement plan designs. First, the brief examines potential modifications to DB plans that would mitigate some of their most significant shortcomings and make them more appealing to employers. The second approach explores potential ways to incorporate some of the more desirable attributes of DB plans into DC plans."  MORE >>

"[1] Checking for unconscious bias ... [2] Leveraging employee resource groups ... [3] Utilizing employee segments ... [4] Examining the diversity of asset management ... [5] Expanding participation and savings opportunities."  MORE >>

"The Milliman 100 PFI funding ratio dropped from 103.6% at the end of July to 103.3% as of August 31, ending the month with a $43 billion surplus for these plans.... The market value of PFI plan assets decreased by $27 billion because of August's -1.55% investment return, while the monthly discount rate climbed from 5.25% in July to 5.41% for August."  MORE >>

"If you're a company looking to uncover the tax benefits of ESOPs, [this] calculator provides a quick snapshot of the advantages you stand to gain.... If you're an advisor navigating the intricacies of ESOPs, [the] tool offers a more detailed analysis.... Calculating ESOP benefits on your own can be daunting due to various variables and assumptions. The ESOP Tax Advantage Calculator streamlines the process by requiring just ten input variables."  MORE >>

"The extended compliance date for obtaining Login.gov credentials is welcome relief to affected plan sponsors that could not meet, or did not know about, the September 1, 2023, deadline. Note that filers that transmit their filings using third-party software approved by the DOL for use under EFAST2 generally do not need to log into the EFAST2 website"  MORE >>