"By February 19, 2025, the terms of three of the Advisory Committee members, two representing employers who maintain pension plans and one representing the general public, will have expired. Therefore, PBGC is seeking nominations for three seats."  MORE >>

"Guidance in [Notice 2024-63] applies for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024 ... [This article provides] selected highlights of QSLP match guidance focusing on what type of loans are covered, whether employers can limit categories of eligible employees or eligible loans, and whether employees can self-certify that the loan payments satisfy the requirements under SECURE 2.0."  MORE >>

"The effective date of the DOL's new expansive fiduciary rule and the amendments to [PTE 2020-02] has been stayed pending the outcome of the lawsuits challenging the rule and the amended PTE. However, broker-dealers and their registered representatives (advisors) may still ... need to comply with the current version of PTE 2020-02 to receive the management fee that results from the rollover recommendation. This blog post describes circumstances when compliance with the PTE may be needed and the PTE conditions that apply now."  MORE >>

"The update to the QPAM exemption requires action on the part of investment managers (banks, etc.), for example, filing the QPAM notice with the DOL. More importantly, the update provides an opportunity ... to review and reevaluate ... practices and processes, which may have been adopted years ago, to assure they are consistent with their current business environment as well as the updated QPAM exemption."  MORE >>

"Some providers are proposing insurance separate accounts as less expensive alternatives to popular mutual funds used in retirement plans. This blog will explore the benefits and risks associated with these accounts, as well as the regulatory and compliance issues that fiduciaries need to consider."  MORE >>

20 pages. "To stay relevant through these disruptive times, many recordkeepers will need to reinvent their business models at a fundamental level.... [T]his paper [explores] strategic recordkeeping models that will compete in the future landscape and those that may face extinction. [It also explores] the evolving revenue pools offering an opportunity for retirement recordkeepers to reinvent and expand their business models if they are to exist profitably in this space."  MORE >>

"This issue brief suggests critical information that would help members compare the value of the lifetime benefits to the buyout amount offered. Members should always receive an explanation of how the buyout amount is calculated, showing, if applicable, the present value calculated by the plan and the percentage of that present value used to determine the buyout amount."  MORE >>

"The ERISA Advisory Council's 2023 report ... uncovers a lack of clarity about legal requirements for safeguarding retirement plan records. A series of eight council recommendations aim to enhance plan sponsors' and fiduciaries' understanding of applicable record-retention periods and improve oversight of vendors that create and maintain plan data. The report also provides insights about the challenges plan officials face when changing vendors or navigating corporate mergers and acquisitions."  MORE >>

"13% of retired seniors say they're likely to start working again next year. Top reason for retirees returning to work is increased cost of living. 22% of seniors are currently working. 38% of working seniors don't plan to retire for 5 or more years. 4 in 10 working seniors were once retired."  MORE >>

"With the noncompete rule set aside for all employers, the company that lost its injunction bid in Pennsylvania asked the federal judge to stay its lawsuit rather than decide it on summary judgment ... [T]he FTC believes it would harm the public interest to delay proceedings because staying the case may 'deprive other courts and the judicial system of the benefits that would flow from [the Pennsylvania court's] consider views' on whether the FTC rule is lawful." [ATS Tree Services, LLC v. Federal Trade Commission, No. 24-1743 (E.D. Penn. Jul. 23, 2024; defendant's brief opposing motion to stay Sep. 11, 2024)]  MORE >>

"[1] Relying on antivirus software alone ... [2] 3rd party risk assessments ... [3] Over-reliance on IT departments ... [4] Not seeing cybersecurity as an investment ... [5] Falling for cyber scams ... [6] Not updating networks and software ... [7] Inadequate employee training ... [8] Lack of multi-factor authentication ... [9] Reusing passwords ... 10. Underestimating AI-deep fakes."  MORE >>

10 pages. "[This paper explores] what service excellence means today in the world of benefits administration and engagement. [It also walks] you through the features and services you should expect from a benefits administration partner, what the current market landscape looks like and how to select the right partner for your company's -- and your employees' -- needs."  MORE >>