"The directive [will instruct] federal regulators -- including the [DOL], the [SEC], and the Treasury Department -- to revise existing guidance under [ERISA] and create new pathways for defined contribution plans to include alternative assets.... Under the new framework, fiduciaries will no longer be subject to a more restrictive standard when evaluating crypto or private assets. Instead, they will be required to apply the same prudence standard to all investments, aligning with ERISA's principles-based approach . This shift is expected to lower legal barriers and encourage more plan administrators to include alternative assets in their offerings."  MORE >>

"[T]he Plan Administrator only needs to enter the Plan Sponsor's taxpayer EIN and the Plan Number.... [T]he program will pull up ALL potentially late filings for the Plan (and the potential penalty), and the Plan Administrator can indicate which are being filed under DFVCP.... [The tool] also reports all filings that were previously corrected through DFVCP.... The bad part of this new enhancement is that the DFVCP payment screen will reflect filings as 'late' that were actually filed on time."  MORE >>

"ERISA fiduciary breach defendant Parker-Hannifin filed a petition for a writ of certiorari ... that, if granted, could settle a circuit split ... regarding the correct pleading standard for ERISA class actions challenging defined contribution plan investment performance.... [T]he Court invited the Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the views of the United States on the case." [Johnson v. Parker-Hannifin Corp., No. 24-3014 (6th Cir. Nov. 20, 2024; cert. pet. filed Mar. 26, 2025, No. 24-1030)]  MORE >>

"The decision underscores the fiduciary-like obligations ERISA places on actuaries and rejects manipulative assumptions designed to serve policy goals rather than actuarial integrity." [Ace-Saginaw Paving Co. v. Operating Eng'rs Loc. 324 Pension Fund, Nos. 24-1288, 24-1305 (6th Cir. Aug. 6, 2025)]  MORE >>

"While describing the Fund's position as 'undoubtedly weak,' Judge Durkin noted the two arbitration awards in the Fund's favor (subsequently rejected in federal court) as well as a lack of controlling precedent. Judge Durkin concluded that the legal positions taken by the Fund were not 'so baseless that they call out for an award of attorneys' fees.' " [Central States SE and SW Pension Fund v. Steelcase, Nos. 24-663, 24-677 (N.D. Ill. Jul. 31, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The Cunningham decision should prompt plan sponsors to review how fiduciary actions are being carried out and recorded.... Are key fiduciary processes and decisions being documented with sufficient detail?.... Is there a robust, documented process for benchmarking services? ... Are service provider relationships being re-evaluated regularly? ... How well are fiduciary committee minutes and governance documentation being maintained?" [Cunningham v. Cornell Univ., No. 23-1007 (S.Ct. Apr. 17, 2025)]  MORE >>

"At the heart of what a retirement plan professional does to serve clients, their plans, and their participants is the ability to address immediate priorities and anticipate needs. Some recent analyses offer concrete tips for achieving that level of service.... Compliance ... Data management ... Controlling costs."  MORE >>

"This whitepaper explores investment menu design and contemplates the evolution and future trajectory of core menu design in defined contribution (DC) plans."  MORE >>

"Plan fiduciaries may consider these principles when evaluating and implementing private market investment strategies within PIOs.... [1] Fiduciary process ... [2] Value for money ... [3] Asset class distinctions ... [4] Operations ... [5] Participant communication."  MORE >>

"If you're considering taking a hands-on approach to managing your 401(k) portfolio, or you are already doing so, here are some of the key questions to ask. [1] Do you have the right qualifications? ... [2] How good are your raw materials? ... [3] What's your asset-allocation plan? ... [4] Is fine-tuning in order? ... [5] What's your oversight strategy?"  MORE >>

"The funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans improved by $4 billion during July  ... As of July 31, the funded ratio rose to 105.7%, from 105.3% at the end of June."  MORE >>

"Although some of the OBBB's benefits provisions simply make permanent existing temporary suspensions in the Code, others will provide opportunities for enhancement or expansion of employee benefit programs.... Conversely, the OBBB also presents some challenges for employers, who must now revise how they monitor certain executive compensation amounts, and make operational changes to their payroll administration systems for certain wages such as overtime pay."  MORE >>