5-page chart includes: [1] An overview on all the key dates in calendar form. [2] More detailed descriptions and action needed to be taken for each item. [3] Relevant IRS forms you"ll need.  MORE >>

6-page chart includes: [1] An overview on all the key dates in calendar form. [2] More detailed descriptions and action needed to be taken for each item. [3] Relevant IRS forms you"ll need.  MORE >>

"Safe harbor contributions can be used to: [1] Satisfy the ADP test ... [2] Satisfy the ACP test ... or [3] Satisfy both the ADP and the ACP tests. The employer can choose either, or both, of two safe harbor contribution options (either a nonelective contribution or a matching contribution). The contribution must apply to all eligible non-HCEs and may be allocated to HCEs as well, but that is not required."  MORE >>

"Defined contribution plan participants most value account balance information, security settings and privacy preferences among recordkeeping website features ... [R]ecordkeepers that have already invested in 'core features' desired by participants now have the 'freedom to innovate' with advanced features. Meanwhile, recordkeepers who have not invested in the basics now face pressure to step up their game."  MORE >>

"[As] they dip their toes into Roth contributions, these participants may be more interested in making additional Roth contributions or consider converting existing pre-tax accounts to Roth. Affected participants will likely continue making catch-up contributions, either because they are behind and saving a relatively large percentage of their income or because they are high earners limited by the base deferral rate[.]"  MORE >>

"In general, lower interest rates may increase DB plan costs.... [A]ctions by the U.S. Federal Reserve affect short-term borrowing costs, while pension plans have a longer investing horizon and are more concerned with long-term discount rates.... Plan sponsors may not always see a direct correlation between the Fed's actions and the discount rates that affect plan calculations."  MORE >>

"Without the income and liquidity from an all-asset combination, the allocation to stocks in the 'without' strategy will be conservative and follow the usual model of 100 minus age, or an allocation of 30% (rounded) to stocks.... With the benefit of income and liquid savings provided by an all-asset plan, however, the allocation to stocks can be slightly more aggressive."  MORE >>

"The three primary doctrinal sources of fiduciary duty -- trust law, equity law, and agency law -- are fully consistent with, and in fact require application of, the three economic principles of: [1] commensurate return, [2] breakeven analysis, and [3] breakeven en point relative to participant life expectancy, particularly in the 401(k) context.... Commensurate return is the substantive expression of loyalty and prudence. Breakeven analysis is the analytical method by which commensurate return is tested. Breakeven en point relative to life expectancy is the temporal constraint imposed by fiduciary law when mortality risk and forfeiture are present. A fiduciary who ignores these principles acts inconsistently with all three foundational bodies of fiduciary law, even if formal disclosures are made or statutory safe harbors are invoked."  MORE >>

"The first problem is fiduciary risk.... Second, participant comprehension is a real hurdle.... Third, portability remains a challenge.... Finally, lifetime income arrives at a time when sponsors are already risk-averse due to litigation trends."  MORE >>

"[The authors] draw on New Zealand as an example for a more predictable government retirement design that provides a flat, universal benefit to alleviate poverty in old age, while empowering Kiwis to save for their own financial security. Rather than treating Social Security's financing gap as a narrow revenue problem, [they ask] more fundamental questions about the program's purpose, its distributional design, and the political incentives that shape reform proposals."  MORE >>

"The new year could see multiple circuits release first-of-their-kind opinions in [ERISA] cases. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is poised to be the first appellate court to address the explosion of litigation centering on 401(k) contributions forfeited by departing workers. The First Circuit has the chance to hand down the initial appellate ruling in a recent series of cases targeting employers that charge higher health-care plan fees to employees who smoke. The Fourth Circuit is also primed to weigh in on an emerging legal theory targeting employers that remove workers from their pension plans by purchasing annuities from a controversial insurance company."  MORE >>

"[1] Understand the vesting schedule of your restricted stock units (RSUs).... [2] Know how your company will withhold the taxes on your RSU shares.... [3] Have a plan for the RSU shares you will receive at vesting."  MORE >>