"The IRS Employee Plans recently digitalized Form 15315 to allow you to electronically report the actuarial certification of a multiemployer defined benefit plan's funding status. The Mobile Friendly Forms webpage has a glitch that won't allow you to enter a date beyond Dec. 31, 2025, or plan numbers beginning with 0; for example, 002. Note: The IRS is now accepting Form 15315 certifications by mail, fax or email."  MORE >>

"[T]his year's list includes changes to the rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) made by the [SECURE Act] of 2019 (SECURE 1.0) and certain RMD changes made by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. These provisions now have a plan amendment deadline that is one year later than the deadline that applies to most other SECURE 1.0 and 2.0 provisions."  MORE >>

"[T]he Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's judgment finding that the ERISA plan administrator properly interpreted a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) and correctly calculated the participant's monthly annuity. The court also upheld the denial of statutory penalties for the delayed production of plan documents." [Gasper v. EIDP, Inc., No. 24-1959 (4th Cir. Dec. 8, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The plaintiffs contended that the plan documents stated that forfeiture funds should be used to restore participants' accounts or pay down plan expenses before being used to reduce company contributions.... [The judge] wrote that the plan document did not require the company to use forfeiture funds in any specific order. Instead, the employer had discretion to allocate the funds among the three listed purposes as it saw fit." [Garner v. Northrop Grumman Corp., No. 25-0439 (E.D. Va. Dec. 4, 2025)]  MORE >>

"The Fifth Circuit's dismissal of DOL's appeal does not ... make all the problems created by DOL's decades long attempt to change the 1975 rule go away. There remains a set of issues under Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02 Improving Investment Advice for Workers & Retirees, issued in 2020 and subject to litigation in at least two separate district courts."  MORE >>

"More lawsuits will survive motions to dismiss. They'll get past the gate. That means discovery. That means costs. That means plan sponsors and fiduciaries need to be sharper than ever.... [1] Audit all your service-provider contracts.... [2] Ask your advisor: 'When was the last competitive bid?' ... [3] Review your committee and fiduciary process.... [4] Update your disclosures and communications.... [5] Don't ignore the cost. Litigation is expensive.... [6] Consider monitoring litigation risk as part of your fiduciary oversight."  MORE >>

"[A] section of your plan document or adoption agreement [should] specifically addresses whether or not catch-up contributions are matched ... [D]epending on your plan design, whether or not you match catch-up contributions may be a moot point, as employees in many plans are able to max out their matching contributions without making catch-up contributions to the plan."  MORE >>

"83% of employees are confident in the financial advice they receive from their employer, and 76% would like their companies to simplify paycheck and benefits choices. This includes 88% of respondents who want to navigate payroll tools as simple as their favorite apps, and 95% who want guidance that integrates debt, savings, benefits, insurance, and retirement planning."  MORE >>

"Bilbo lives a quiet, comfortable life in the Shire. He owns a farm and employs several workers ... One day, wanting to show his appreciation for his beloved employees, Bilbo sets up the Bilbo Baggins’s Benefits 401(k) plan (BBB 401(k)). He includes an employer match ... Before Bilbo can dive into the nuts and bolts of plan administration, however, the wizard Gandalf shows up to his house with a rowdy band of dwarves. Before Bilbo knows it, he is whisked away on an epic adventure. Bilbo, a homebody to the core, worries about what will happen to him, his employees, and the BBB 401(k)."  MORE >>

"Six in ten non-retired Gen X investors say they didn't feel their retirement was an urgent priority, rather a distant milestone, until age 50 or older.... After realizing retirement was nearing, 40% of Gen X investors cut discretionary spending, 34% increased their contributions to retirement accounts, 23% sought out professional financial advice, and 19% shifted their investment strategy to reduce risk.... A quarter of Gen X investors say they are concerned their savings won't last more than 14 years, and more than one in ten say their savings are already dwindling."  MORE >>

"Morningstar's latest 'safe' spending analysis finds people starting retirement in 2026 can spend 3.9% of the portfolio annually. If they embrace flexible spending strategies, the safe rate is as high as 6%. Experts say the latter approach is likely more appealing and appropriate for most retirees."  MORE >>

"Total U.S. annuity sales increased 5% to $121.2 billion in the third quarter of 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of $100+ billion in sales and setting a new sales record. Year to date (YTD), annuity sales totaled $347.0 billion, up 4% year-over-year, according to LIMRA's U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey, which represents 92% of the total U.S. annuity market."  MORE >>

"[Notice 2025-68] provides Q&As addressing the various Trump account requirements, along with a number of important clarifications regarding: [1] how the accounts are established, [2] available contribution sources (including the pilot program and employer programs), [3] distribution and investment restrictions, [4] reporting requirements, [and] [5] the (in)applicability of ERISA for employer programs."  MORE >>

"Beyond accepting the free $1,000 deposit from the government, advisors generally see more upside from existing UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) accounts and 529 plans designed to fund education. Both options have higher contributions limits than Trump Accounts and come with different tax structures."  MORE >>

"Medicare beneficiaries with Part B and/or Part D prescription drug coverage may face additional monthly surcharges known as the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). These surcharges ... are based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior ... If you're navigating Medicare costs or planning for retirement, this overview can help you understand the impact of IRMAA and the steps you can take to effectively manage your premiums."  MORE >>