"There is only one limit -- currently $23,500 (not including any eligible catch-up contributions) -- that applies to the combination of employer contributions and employee elective deferrals to a 457(b) plan, meaning that employer contributions limit the amount available for employee elective deferrals."  MORE >>

"Choosing a new retirement plan for your employees is a massive undertaking. When you are moving millions of dollars in a retirement plan, it is important to consider the many facets of a of any relationship that will support the organization in both the long and short term."  MORE >>

"[T]echnology [is available] to record and transcribe our meetings, ... but there are associated risks, starting with whether you really want all of your clients' meetings to be recorded and available to be included as an exhibit in future litigation or disclosed to a regulatory agency.... [E]nsure you understand which tools your firm allows you to leverage and which information will be kept forever.... [D]epending on the AI tool or capability, many of these tools are publicly available. If you add your client's non-public personal information and hit 'summarize for me,' that may be a violation of the confidentiality provisions of the agreement with the plan sponsor or the participant. "  MORE >>

"While recent traction is evident, alternative investments are not yet widely adopted. With many anticipating an executive order directing government agencies to provide guidance for including such investments in retirement plans, it appears plan sponsors have already begun to increase their use."  MORE >>

"During the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, the funded status of Segal's model pension plan ... rose by 7 percentage points, to 105 percent, ... This increase in funded status is attributable to a 9 percent increase in assets, partially offset by a 1 percent increase in liabilities."  MORE >>

"The aggregate funded ratio for U.S. corporate pension plans is estimated to have increased by 0.5 percentage points in July, ending the month at 101.1% ... Although the aggregate funded ratio is estimated to have decreased by 0.8% over the trailing twelve months, it is estimated to have increased by 3.3% year to date."  MORE >>

"Here are five types of content you should be producing: [1] The 'Are we doing this right?' checklist ... [2] Short videos or posts on fiduciary duties ... [3] Quarterly 'What's new in 401(k)' updates ... [4] Case studies ... [5] Participant-facing tools they can share ... [P]lan sponsors are busy, confused, and terrified of doing something wrong. Your content should solve problems, reduce fear, and make you the provider they trust to keep them out of trouble."  MORE >>

"[T]oo many plan sponsors who are considering or have included in-plan annuities as an investment option within their plan have either overlooked or have not properly assessed the potential fiduciary liability risks presented by the inclusion of the 'and their beneficiaries' language.... There is no legal foundation for the suggestion that plan sponsors have any legal obligation with regard to assisting in the decumulation of a plan account, whether by providing products or advice. In fact, providing advice and/or assistance can be grounds for holding that an otherwise non-fiduciary has crossed the line and is legally recognized as a fiduciary."  MORE >>

18 pages. "These proposed regulations would replace a business classification system that has not been updated since 1974 with a much more current classification system that is updated every five years. Under these proposed regulations, the application of the no-additional-cost benefit and employee discount exclusions from employee income under section 132(a)(1) and [2] would be determined under a classification system that more accurately reflects current economic activity than the system used under the existing regulations, thereby reducing burden in applying the exclusions from income under section 132(a)(1) and (2)."  MORE >>

"The court held that while an employer may amend the plan itself, it cannot bind participants to arbitrate ERISA claims without their consent. The decision reaffirms key participant protections under ERISA and underscores limits on employer-driven arbitration mandates." [Platt v. Sodexo, S.A., No. 23-55737 (9th Cir. Aug. 4, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The court held that while Live Nation validly bound its 401(k) plan to arbitration of ERISA claims through a plan amendment, the plaintiffs -- former plan participants -- must be permitted to assert unconscionability defenses under federal common law. The court remanded the case for further proceedings on those defenses." [Avecilla v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., No. 23-55725 (9th Cir. Aug. 4, 2025; unpub.)]  MORE >>

"Most ERISA class actions, and in fact most ERISA cases, have a few outcome determinative issues in them that will determine liability ... There is no reason ... to litigate all of the other issues in that type of a case all the way through discovery and to summary judgment motions before that discrete issue -- one that might moot everything else -- is decided.... [P]lan fiduciaries and their lawyers should affirmatively and constantly pursue these types of opportunities to reduce the scale of the litigation to solely the outcome determinative issues that they have identified, before the case is ever allowed to expand into broad discovery and litigation of the remainder of the case."  MORE >>

"The new Share Holder Allocation for Rewards to Employees Plan Act, or the SHARE Plan Act [HR 2332] ... provides a 3% tax rate reduction for US-domiciled companies that establish and maintain a SHARE plan, which is defined as a corporate program that grants common stock to employees periodically at no cost.... A key issue would be whether the tax benefit is enough to get companies to do this."  MORE >>

"At issue in Milligan is whether the deferred compensation award programs offered by Merrill Lynch qualify as 'employee benefit pension plans' under ERISA. The district court held that these widely used programs are not ERISA pension plans. This decision aligns with the text of the statute, reflects longstanding [DOL] guidance exempting 'bonus' incentive programs, and is consistent with other judicial decisions." [Milligan v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., No. 24-0440 (W.D. N.C. Mar. 11, 2025; appeal to 4th Cir. filed Apr. 9, 2025)]  MORE >>