71 pages; Dec. 19, 2024. "What's New: [1] Distributions to victims of domestic abuse.... [2] Distributions for emergency personal expenses.... [3] Transfers and rollovers of assets and the substantially equal payment method."  MORE >>

"Quarterly meetings with the recordkeeper are still the most frequent, but only done by 37.0 percent of organizations, followed closely by annual meetings at 30 percent of companies, while 20 percent of retirement plan committees are meeting with their plan recordkeepers semi-annually."  MORE >>

"Originally developed in the 1990s ... the rule suggests that retirees can safely withdraw 4% of their retirement portfolio each year, adjusted for inflation, without running out of money over a 30-year period. While this strategy provides a straightforward approach to retirement spending, it has significant drawbacks that may lead retirees to leave substantial sums of money unspent -- funds that could have been enjoyed earlier in life."  MORE >>

" 'Retirement managed accounts' could potentially grow the number of households with enough savings to need advisors' help. These services could also boost advisors' visibility and create rollover opportunities.... 63% of plan sponsors surveyed would be interested in using managed accounts if, or when, they get cheaper."  MORE >>

"While private equity firms are increasingly looking to penetrate the defined contribution plan market ... new research from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School questions if private equity -- specifically leveraged buyout funds -- is suitable for workplace retirement plans. The report argued that ... because of the high fees often associated with private equity funds, their failure to 'frequently beat the stock market' and their lack of liquidity, they are not suitable for many defined contribution plans."  MORE >>

"In 2025, the COLA was 2.5%; resulting in an average monthly benefit increase of approximately $49. The increase for 2026 isn't shaping up to be much larger. The latest projection is for an increase of 2.2% year-over-year, a figure 0.1% lower than last month's rate."  MORE >>

"While, over the entire period, the 'arbitrage' strategy 'works out,' the sponsor suffered a substantial loss in 2022. On the other hand, as designed, the market-based cash balance plan remains fully 'hedged' (that is, assets always equal liabilities). The 6% profit the sponsor makes by the end of the period -- the traditional cash balance 'arbitrage' -- simply comes out of the participant's benefit.... [T]he sponsor -- in return for a bank-deposit like interest rate promise -- is simply taking the risk (and reward) that a participant takes in a 401(k) plan."  MORE >>

"Traditional pensions became an expensive proposition for employers, which is largely what led to their demise ... Still, the following occupations are known for offering pensions. [1] Finance professionals; [2] Firefighters; [3] Government workers; [4] Lineworkers; [5] Military members; [6] Police officers; [7] Teachers; [8] Truck drivers; [9] Unionized employees."  MORE >>

"[T]he chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee called for the Secretary to 'rescind or withdraw' the fiduciary rule finalized under the Biden administration.... Chairman Walberg's letter to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer also urged her [to] rescind or withdraw the requirements under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act ... He said the Committee also strongly supports the creation of association health plans (AHPs) through the enactment of the Association Health Plans Act and DOL's rulemaking on AHPs."  MORE >>

"The New York State Senate passed the No Severance Ultimatums Act on March 4, 2025. If enacted, the Act would amend New York Labor Law to prohibit 'coercive ultimatums' in employment severance agreements and would require employers to give all New York employees time to review and revoke severance agreements."  MORE >>

"You have received this form because [1] your employer (or its transfer agent) has recorded a first transfer of legal title of stock you acquired pursuant to your exercise of an option granted under an employee stock purchase plan, and [2] the exercise price was less than 100% of the value of the stock on the date shown in box 1 or was not fixed or determinable on that date.... [Y]ou must recognize (report) gain or loss on your tax return for the year in which you sell or otherwise dispose of the stock. Keep this form and use it to figure the gain or loss."  MORE >>