"The OBBBA requires custodians to maintain a clear separation between the investment in the contract (basis) and taxable amounts for a Trump account.... Custodians that do not offer 529s or ESAs need to decide whether to invest in building tracking systems or to opt out of offering Trump accounts.... The IRS can ease the transition to these by permitting trustee-to-trustee transfers to traditional IRAs at age 18, ensuring accurate basis reporting and preventing tax errors."  MORE >>

"The first step in your correction playbook should always be to assess the damage.... After damage has been assessed, the next step in your playbook should be to make appropriate corrections.... [T]he last step of your playbook will remind you to document all corrections, including the steps that have been taken to ensure the error does not continue to occur in the future. "  MORE >>

"It's time to get smart on fees and benchmarking. This guide will help you understand the rules, how to compare your plan, and what pitfalls to avoid.... [It will] highlight the most common mistakes that can undermine your efforts, and ... help you recognize the warning signs that indicate your current advisor may not be providing the level of service your plan requires."  MORE >>

"[Recent] developments create appealing opportunities for plan sponsors and participants; however, they require careful consideration from many dimensions.... [1] How will participants evaluate contribution options? [2] If automatic enrollment or escalation features are added, what is the forecasted impact on company costs? [3] Will new matching provisions, such as matching student loan payments, affect nondiscrimination testing? [4] Can payroll systems handle the Roth catch-up requirement? [5] Is an emergency savings account appropriate within your 401(k) plan? [6] Can your recordkeeper effectively administer and communicate new features?"  MORE >>

"[L]egislative support from the SECURE Act and continued interest in retirement innovation have delivered new opportunities for organizations to provide guaranteed lifetime income options.... [1] 401(k) with annuity option ... [2] A modern defined benefit plan ... [3] Pension risk transfers."  MORE >>

"PBGC premiums can create a major headwind for ongoing pension finance, but there are ways to manage and reduce these costs. [1] Increasing (or simply accelerating) contributions ... [2] Reduce total plan participants ... [3] Splitting plans."  MORE >>

"With one month of consumer price data left to go, it appears that the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will increase from its 2025 level ... The Senior Citizen's League (TSCL) predicts that the 2026 COLA will be 2.7%, while Mary Johnson, who is a retired Social Security and Medicare policy analyst, predicts that it will be 2.8%. This is compared to last year's adjustment of 2.5% and a 2024 adjustment of 3.2%."  MORE >>