"[T]he Department has determined that amendments adopted by qualified retirement plan sponsors in Puerto Rico to adopt the provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0, whether optional or mandatory ... will not be considered part of the definition of the term 'Qualification Amendments'. Therefore, if a qualified retirement plan in Puerto Rico is amended to adopt the provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0, the plan does not have to be resubmitted to the Department to request a new Letter of Qualification. Any amendments adopted by qualified retirement plan sponsors under the Code, in parallel with the approval of amendments to adopt the provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0, are outside the scope of this Determination; therefore, they must be analyzed in light of CC PC 16-08 to determine whether they should be submitted to the Department for plan qualification."  MORE >>

"Although Executive Order 14330 makes no immediate changes ... this initiative could touch nearly every corner of retirement investing: how fiduciaries assess risk, the scope of permissible asset classes, and the way participants are informed about complex and often costly investment options. The changes under discussion are not immediate, but they have the potential to alter both regulatory expectations and the practical decisions plan sponsors will need to make."  MORE >>

"DOL has until Feb. 3, 2026, to re-evaluate existing ERISA guidance on asset allocation funds that include these investments and clarify the agency’s views. The order instructs DOL to prioritize actions that will deter private plaintiffs from bringing ERISA lawsuits. While there is no immediate action for sponsors or fiduciaries to take, this article provides an overview of the order and key questions DOL may address in future guidance."  MORE >>

"[T]he Second Circuit agreed with the district court that plaintiffs lacked constitutional and class standing to assert several of their claims because they did not adequately plead that they had suffered individual harm caused by defendants' imprudence or disloyal management.... The Second Circuit also rejected plaintiffs' argument that because they had made allegations supporting a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to some plan processes, the court should conclude that defendants employed a flawed process in general." [Collins v. Northeast Grocery, Inc., No. 24-2339 (2d Cir. Aug. 18, 2025)]  MORE >>

"Plan sponsors and administrators should closely monitor the Hutchins appeal because the decision should clarify the extent of discretion plan administrators may wield regarding the use of forfeited funds, and the decision may shape new practices for retirement plan design and administration." [Hutchins v. HP Inc., No. 23-5875 (N.D. Calif. Feb. 5, 2025; on appeal to 9th Cir. No. 25-826)]  MORE >>

"Senate Republicans urged Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to implement President Donald Trump's executive order on private market investments in defined contribution plans 'expeditiously' ... The senators noted that pensions already invest in alts, and it is unfair for 401(k) investors to lack access to those same investments. They requested 'that the process be done expeditiously through a formal rulemaking that establishes essential critical safe harbor protections.' "  MORE >>

"[The authors] look beyond the retirement plan budget to uncover broader funding strategies. Delaying automated features may cost participants potential savings. From rethinking total rewards to leveraging tax incentives, organizations can find ways to implement these plan features without significantly increasing overall costs."  MORE >>

"Many employees feel overwhelmed when selecting their benefits. Visual imagery can help simplify these complex choices at a glance.... Tailoring imagery to match behavioral tendencies and known barriers can help improve engagement and lead to smarter financial decisions.... By understanding what truly drives action, we can reshape engagement efforts to eliminate barriers and promote better financial and benefits decisions."  MORE >>

"[A]ctively trading in a retirement account comes with different considerations than trading in a general account, and it's important for investors to ensure the moves they make today aren't likely to risk putting their retirement income in jeopardy. If a trader decides to trade individual stocks or options within their retirement account, there are a few considerations to keep in mind."  MORE >>

"[T]he competitive bidding process is estimated to save plan sponsors on average around 4.0% as of July 31. Second, retirees can be annuitized for an estimated 100.1% of accounting liabilities (accumulated benefit obligation)."  MORE >>

"[1] Spend smarter by targeting root causes of cost ... [2] Design benefits based on actual needs vs. assumptions ... [3] Go beyond financial literacy to Financial Care ... [4] Deliver flexibility, with guidance ... [5] Tie benefits to organizational purpose."  MORE >>

"Affirming the Northern District of Georgia's summary judgment for participants, the court held that NCR's lump-sum payments 'adversely affected' the accrued benefits of at least some participants in violation of the plans' unambiguous terms and that the district court's make-whole remedy was appropriate." [Hoak v. NCR Corp., No. 24-12148 (11th Cir. Aug. 26, 2025)]  MORE >>

"As investor expectations shift, regulatory pressure mounts, and business models evolve, compensation committees are moving away from short-term incentive plans that rely solely on a single financial performance measure.... [This article] outlines how public company boards and compensation committees are responding by adopting annual bonus structures that incorporate multiple performance factors, strategic goals, and clearly governed discretion frameworks."  MORE >>