"Even if not yet required, plan sponsors may wish to amend their plans this year for certain changes that are already in effect, or to reflect changes that will take effect in 2026. Plan sponsors that wait until the legal deadline to amend their plans for SECURE Act, CARES Act, and SECURE 2.0 changes should keep a running list of the effective dates for any optional provisions, as they may have gone into effect several years before the legal amendment deadline."  MORE >>

"[W]here the PPP appoints the investment manager, the PPP is the fiduciary responsible for the selection and monitoring of the 3(38) investment manager. However, the law says that adopting employers are responsible determining if the 'named fiduciaries' are prudent choices for its participating employees.... That raises the question of the scope of the fiduciary duty of adopting employers related to the investment manager -- since the adopting employers cannot remove and replace an investment manager selected by the PPP."  MORE >>

"Motions to dismiss in most of the cases brought to date have been granted on similar grounds -- a lack of current or impending injury, as well as little beyond mere assertions that the provider selected presents a high risk of risk based solely on its corporate structure. That said ... in what appear to be nearly identical fact situations different judges have drawn different conclusions as to whether the standard of review at the motion to dismiss stage was satisfied." [Schoen v. ATI Inc., No. 24-1109 (W.D. Penn. magistrate judge report Oct. 7, 2025)]  MORE >>

"This year, the 'biggest' action item for plan sponsors is deciding how to handle the mandatory Roth catch-up provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 ... The second biggest consideration ... concerns 401(k) plan forfeitures.... [P]lan sponsors should inventory any mid-year operational changes and confirm with recordkeepers and legal counsel that the corresponding amendments are formally executed by year-end."  MORE >>

93 pages. "[This report] explores the life priorities, health and well-being, work-retirement status, personal finances, retirement expectations and preparedness, and caregiving experience of U.S. residents aged 18 and older in the middle class. The report offers detailed comparisons of people in the middle class by age range including people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and age 70 and older. It also provides recommendations for individuals, employers, and policymakers and a suggested reading list for those who want to learn more about the middle class."  MORE >>

"Shifts in workforce demographics, evolving investment behaviors, and changing participation rates should all play a role in how your plan is designed and managed.... What workforce trends could affect your benefit plans? What are some steps you can take to address those changes?  ... Participants are getting older ... Employees are investing at a younger age ... Participants want decisions to be easy."  MORE >>

"September was the sixth straight month of funding improvement for the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans ... During the month, the plans' estimated funded status continued to climb, rising from 84.2% as of August 31, 2025, to 85.4% as of September 30, 2025 ... [T]he gap between estimated plan assets and liabilities narrowed to $971 billion as of September 30, 2025. The last time this deficit fell below $1 trillion was also at the end of 2021, when the funding gap was $833 billion."  MORE >>

"The [IRS] has provided reporting relief from the requirement to include a code 'Y' on a 2025 Form 1099-R when reporting qualified charitable distributions from an IRA."  MORE >>

"Outdated return assumptions can distort your 401(k) projections, leaving you underprepared for retirement. Market forecasts for a 60/40 portfolio are lower than many tools assume as a default, often in the 4% to 6% range, not 8% or more. Recalibrating your plan now -- by saving more or adjusting your retirement age -- can dramatically improve your long-term outlook."  MORE >>

"A 'Scenario of Least Regret,' presents a little-by-little approach that can balance the competing interests of ambition and anxiety. Dollar-cost averaging is an effective way to inch out of a concentrated stock position. Check your overconfidence level by considering what you have to lose. Reframe your thinking out of tunnel vision on the stock price and consider the things you actually want to accomplish in your life with your stock wealth.... Form a plan with an advisor just one stage at a time if necessary. Focus on what percentage of company stock you want to keep, i.e. your 'legacy anchor position.' "  MORE >>