"For purposes of determining covered compensation for the 2026 year, the taxable wage base is $184,500. ... [T]ables provide covered compensation for 2026."  MORE >>

"[T]wo foreign-owned proxy advisors, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. and Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC, play a significant role in shaping the policies and priorities of America's largest companies through the shareholder voting process.... The Chairman of the [SEC] shall review all rules, regulations, guidance, bulletins, and memoranda relating to proxy advisors.... The Secretary of Labor shall, consistent with the APA, take steps to revise all regulations and guidance regarding the fiduciary status of individuals who manage, or, like proxy advisors, advise those who manage, the rights appurtenant to shares held by plans covered under [ERISA], including proxy votes and corporate engagement, consistent with the policy of this order.... The Secretary of Labor shall take all appropriate action to strengthen the fiduciary standards of pension and retirement plans covered under ERISA. Such action shall include assessing whether proxy advisors act solely in the financial interests of plan participants and the extent to which any of their practices undermine the pecuniary value of the assets of ERISA plans."  MORE >>

"Complete Form W-4P to have payers withhold the correct amount of federal income tax from your periodic pension, annuity (including commercial annuities), profit-sharing and stock bonus plan, or IRA payments.... Don't use Form W-4P for a nonperiodic payment ... or an eligible rollover distribution ... Instead, use Form W-4R, Withholding Certificate for Nonperiodic Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions, for these payments/distributions. "  MORE >>

Dec. 10, 2025. "Use Form 8955-SSA to report information relating to each participant who separated from service covered by the plan and is entitled to a deferred vested benefit under the plan but is not paid this retirement benefit.... The SSA no longer processes nonstandard pages 2. Report information about separated participants only on page 2 of Form 8955-SSA. If additional space is needed for separated participants, use additional pages 2 only."  MORE >>

"[T]he burden of requesting affirmative elections from all catch-up eligible participants will exceed the burden of sending a deemed election notice ... Assuming that service providers will take care of administering the Roth catch-up mandate will almost certainly land employers in correction-land.  ... Collaboration with payroll companies, bundled recordkeepers, and third-party administrators, as applicable, will be instrumental to the success of the Roth catch-up mandate administration."  MORE >>

"Many 401(k) plans likely need to be amended to reflect the RMD applicable age change. Whether a plan needs to be amended to reflect the changes to post-death distributions will depend on the terms of the plan -- some may already provide for distribution of a participant's benefit earlier than required under this provision."  MORE >>

"The [Solicitor General (SG)] asked the Court to review [two pending] cases and resolve them by adopting legal standards that are more favorable to ERISA plan fiduciaries. The SG's recommendation ... shows an increasing willingness by DOL to take action to help curb abusive ERISA litigation targeting plan sponsors, which has driven up the costs of administering plans." 
[Johnson v. Parker-Hannifin Corp., No. 24-3014 (6th Cir. Nov. 20, 2024; cert. pet filed Mar. 26, 2025, No. 24-1030; DOL amicus brief filed Dec. 9, 2025); Pizarro v. Home Depot, No. 22-13643 (11th Cir. Aug. 2, 2024; cert. pet. filed Dec. 3, 2024; DOL amicus brief filed Dec. 9, 2025) ]   MORE >>

"The [DOL] is now backing fiduciaries in a case involving criteria for a 'meaningful' benchmark ... 'As Judge Murphy pointed out in dissent, the majority's reasoning departs from the consensus in other courts of appeals,' the [DOL] began. 'In the view of the United States, this Court should grant review and restore uniformity to ERISA pleading standards.' " 
[Johnson v. Parker-Hannifin Corp., No. 24-3014 (6th Cir. Nov. 20, 2024; cert. pet filed Mar. 26, 2025, No. 24-1030; DOL amicus brief filed Dec. 9, 2025)]  MORE >>

"A growing chorus of government and employer voices has lined up behind Lockheed Martin Corp. in its high-profile appeal backing the legality of a pension risk transfer challenged by retirees. The case ... could shape the future of the PRT market, which has continued to grow in recent years." 
[Konya v. Lockheed Martin Corp., No. 24-0750 (D. Md. Mar. 28, 2025; on appeal to 4th Cir. No. 25-180)]  MORE >>

"[P]lan provisions and benefits that should be considered as part of the protected benefits analysis when merging from the old plan into the new merged plan: [1] Top paid group election for highly compensated employees ... [2] Vesting schedules ... [3] Distribution events ... [4] Optional forms of benefit."  MORE >>

"[S]trategic investments in AI-powered support, enhanced planning tools, and improved security features are helping providers differentiate their digital experiences."  MORE >>

"The full House voted 302-123 to approve the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation Act of 2025 [HR 3383], which includes a provision to amend securities laws to allow 403(b) plans to invest in collective investment trusts (CITs), aligning them more closely with 401(k) plans."  MORE >>

"In 2025, the consulting industry has quietly transformed into the single most important distribution channel for private equity. This shift cuts across every ownership model ... [T]he economic incentives all point in the same direction: Push pensions and retirement plans into higher-fee private equity and private credit -- regardless of long-term risk to beneficiaries."  MORE >>

"We look forward to working with the administration on reforms that strengthen the proxy voting system to better serve retail investors and support the health of US capital markets. A fair and efficient proxy process empowers millions of Americans to shape the long-term success of their investments and the broader economy."  MORE >>

"The department's Employee Benefits Security Administration [EBSA] ... will execute the President's goal of restoring order to financial markets, including retirement investing, by curbing politicized corporate voting patterns pushed by proxy advisory firms.... 'I applaud the President's action to protect American investors by bringing transparency, competition, and accountability to the proxy services market,' said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. 'This bold directive will benefit millions of American workers and retirees who have unknowingly had their investment decisions hijacked by foreign actors with misguided motivations."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses ... affected by severe storms and straight-line winds that began on June 21, 2025 ... now have until Feb.2, 2026, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"Employers may make contributions of up to $2,500 (subject to cost-of-living adjustments after 2027) per calendar year to the Trump account of an employee (or the employee's dependent) that will be excluded from the employee's gross income. An employer must make contributions under a 'Trump account contribution program,' which is a separate written plan maintained by the employer for the exclusive benefits of its employees that meets requirements regarding discrimination, eligibility, notification, statements and benefits similar to the requirements of a dependent care assistance program under Section 129 of the Internal Revenue Code."  MORE >>

"Financial institutions that currently offer IRAs will want to consider whether they want to add this new account option. Although the rules are similar to IRAs, there are a number of nuanced differences that will require careful set-up.... Employers should consider whether they want to add Trump Account contributions to their employee benefit line-up. Employers who do so will need to establish a Section 128(c) Trump Account contribution program."  MORE >>

"Employers who wish to make contributions to Trump Accounts starting next year will be required to establish a separate written plan (and, if applicable, may be required update its Code Section 125 cafeteria plan document to enable employee pre-tax contributions). Employers may also consider other steps that may be required to operationalize contributions."  MORE >>

"Traditional excessive fee lawsuits remain a major share of ERISA filings, but the contours of those claims are shifting.... One of the most notable developments of 2025 is the surge in lawsuits challenging how employers use 401(k) forfeitures ... To date, more than 80 cases have been filed since the wave began back in 2023, with over 30 cases having been filed just since May of this year.... Recent years have seen new lawsuits challenging what ERISA group health plans pay for prescription drugs. These cases have faced major obstacles[.]"  MORE >>