"SCC-eligible sponsors can now officially use the DOL calculator to compute lost earnings, but the new SCC added an online submission and other paperwork to employers who used to self-correct without telling the government. However, for employers who filed under VFCP and are now eligible for SCC, the Department estimates that the SCC will streamline the process for 73 percent of small and large VFC cases involving Lost Earnings less than or equal to $1,000."  MORE >>

"Common mistakes: ... [1] Seller cannot locate key plan documents, including all required amendments. [2] Seller previously acquired companies with 401(k) plans, but did not properly deal with these plans ... [3] Seller provides incomplete non-discrimination test results ... [4] Seller's 401(k) plan trustees or other authorized decision makers for the plan will not be around post-closing. [5] Seller's 401(k) plan has operational or other compliance problems ... but these issues cannot be fixed pre-closing."  MORE >>

"[T]ucked inside the massive tax package is the creation of a different kind of investment savings account that promotes financial security for American children.... The Money Account for Growth and Advancement accounts, often shortened to MAGA accounts ... would allow parents to open, starting in 2026, special trust accounts for children under the age of 8."  MORE >>

"[E]ach state differs in the requirements of a valid POA ... Even if a POA appears validly executed and currently effective, because POAs vary widely in scope and authority, the POA may not necessarily grant an agent powers over retirement plans.... Although a POA may validly grant the agent authority over retirement plans, these powers are not without limits."  MORE >>

"[T]hree key gaps that exist when it comes to retirement expectations ... [1] People tend to retire early (about three years, on average). [2] Retirement tends to happen more suddenly than expected (more like a waterfall than a glide path). [3] The actual odds of working during retirement are a lot lower than expected (75% expect to work, but only about 30% do so) Collectively, these three gaps can have significant (negative) financial implications on retirement outcomes if they aren't considered[.]"  MORE >>

"While most companies completed policy adoption and disclosures in 2023-2024, Rule 10D-1 now enters its enforcement phase. This makes 2025 a critical juncture for governance readiness and ensuring that compensation committees, legal, finance, and human resources teams are fully prepared to implement clawback policies in the event of a financial restatement."  MORE >>

"This article discusses what constitutes an ERISA-governed executive severance plan, what an ERISA-governed severance plan requires from the plan administrator, and why you may want your plan to be governed by ERISA."  MORE >>

"Many companies that offer NQDC plans for their highly compensated employees choose to fund these plans with COLI to hedge their deferred compensation liability and to reduce some of the statement volatility associated with other funding vehicles, including mutual funds. Over the long-term, COLI programs can help increase benefit security and help reduce overall plan costs, potentially delivering more value to participants."  MORE >>

"New research ... finds that relative total shareholder return is lower and compensation higher among S&P 1500 firms that award performance share units (PSUs) versus time-based equity awards, i.e., restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options."  MORE >>