"[SECURE] 2.0 mandated, for the very first time, a special automatic enrollment arrangement be added to all new 401(k) and 403(b) plans established on or after the enactment of SECURE 2.0 ... The Proposed Regulations provide important preliminary guidance on how to implement the mandate and what plans are impacted by the new law."  MORE >>

19 pages. "This article summarizes state retirement initiatives for private-sector workers and rounds up relevant ... resources. This listing is updated periodically [.]"  MORE >>

"The order in which the partial withdrawal liability credit is applied can have a significant impact on the amount an employer owes in withdrawal liability upon a complete withdrawal. The few decisions to have considered the issue have held that the credit should be applied as part of the statutory waterfall of exceptions. The ruling in Consumers Concrete Corp. means that, at least in one jurisdiction, a different rule may apply." [Consumers Concrete Corp. v. Central States, S.E. and S.W. Areas Pension Fund, Nos. 23-2695. 23-3005 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 3, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[T]he Third Circuit determined: [1] The settlement agreement constituted a 'revised' assessment for withdrawal liability; [2] The Fund's letters to the affiliated companies constituted a new demand for withdrawal liability; and [3] Since the affiliated dairy companies did not arbitrate the revised assessment and demand for withdrawal liability, the Fund could bring an action to enforce the settlement agreement." [Central States, SE & SW Areas Pension Fund v. Laguna Dairy, S. de R.L. de C.V., No. 23-3206 (3d Cir. 2025 Mar. 27, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[T]he Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Janet Dhillon to serve as the Director of the [PBGC] by a vote of 12-11.... [Chairman Sen. Cassidy said,] 'We need a fresh perspective leading PBGC. Someone who will reform the agency to better serve the American people. Ms. Dhillon is committed to this mission.... Ms. Dhillon's experience and strong vision make her the right person to get PBGC back on track.' "  MORE >>

"In its current form, the tax bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to apply a 21% excise tax on a tax-exempt organization or 'any related person or governmental entity' with respect to all employees earning wages over $1 million. A related person includes any company that controls the tax-exempt organization, the council noted in its letter. A qualified retirement plan generally has a tax-exempt trust that is treated as a tax-exempt organization for purposes of the excise tax, the council said."  MORE >>

"A more complete appreciation of the full range of investor fiduciary duties is essential to inform policy and court decisions that affect the future financial security and economic stability of America.  This article offers a guide to essential investment fiduciary concepts that have been missing from recent policy debates and court decisions."  MORE >>

"Annuity purchase interest rates have experienced a modest increase as we near mid-2025.... [T]he recent uptick -- bringing the average duration 7 rate to 4.79% and the average duration 15 rate to 4.92% -- offers plan sponsors a renewed opportunities to take strategic action."  MORE >>

"While the 2026 Social Security COLA could still change significantly over the coming months, the latest inflation data suggests that it could be the lowest adjustment since 2021.... According to estimates by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) ... the 2026 COLA may be 2.4% ... Last month, TSCL had predicted -- based on March data -- that the 2026 COLA would be 2.3%."  MORE >>

"[T]he Employee Ownership Representation Act [S 1728], would add two new ESOP company board members to ... the ERISA Advisory Council.... The Employee Ownership Fairness Act [S 1727] codifies and expands existing IRS private letter rulings that allow C corporation ESOPs to apply the Internal Revenue Code Section 404 contribution limit separately for [1] employer contributions to repay ESOP loan principal and [2] employer contributions to other defined contribution plans or a nonleveraged component of an ESOP. "  MORE >>

"Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5357 (ESSB 5357) ... raises the long-term investment return assumption from 7% to 7.25% for every plan in the state ... [N]othing about the pensions' actual investments has changed to warrant this rosier assumption.... From 2030 onward, Washington will have to fund not only the normal pension costs of current workers, but also the delayed debt service from this maneuver -- effectively paying double for past obligations."  MORE >>