Rev. Dec. 2025. For excise taxes under sections 4965, 4971, 4972, 4973(a)(3), 4975, 4976, 4977, 4978, 4979, 4979A, 4980, and 4980F of the Internal Revenue Code.   MORE >>

"[K]ey changes for 2026 include ... [1] Elimination of the paper check payment option.... [2] Elimination of paper checks for refunds.... [3] Due dates.... [4] Changes in premium rates and caps.... The PBGC says in the new instructions that if a pension plan is covered, its administrator must submit a premium filing even [if] ... no premium is owed; the plan year is less than 12 months; or the plan was not covered by the PBGC for the entire plan year.... The new filing instructions outline what the PBGC has found to be the most common mistakes it sees and what can be done if a mistake is made."  MORE >>

"This article walks through the amendment process employers should expect in 2026 to help clarify what decisions matter, which ones don’t, and when action is required."  MORE >>

"The court ruled that 'the plain text of the [MPPAA] entertainment exception unambiguously covers individuals performing any amount of entertainment work.' ... The statute did not state that a person's work had to be 'substantially' or 'primarily' in the entertainment industry to qualify; 'any amount of entertainment work suffices.' " [Nevada Resort Ass'n-Int'l Alliance of Theatrical Stage Emps. & Moving Picture Mach. Operators of the US & Canada Loc. 720 Pension Tr. v. JB Viva Vegas, LP, No. 24-2791 (9th Cir. Jan. 6, 2026)]  MORE >>

"[1] Forfeiture lawsuits ... [2] Prohibited transaction claims challenging service provider arrangements ... [3] US Supreme Court may address the pleading standard for investment challenges ... [4] Arbitration of ERISA class actions."  MORE >>

"With a deadline ticking, the [DOL] has submitted for review a proposed rule that would clarify its position on alternative assets and the appropriate fiduciary process. The DOL submitted the proposal to the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Jan. 13.... [OMB] typically has up to 90 days to review rules; however, that period could be shorter. With the 180-day deadline ticking, it seems possible that the OMB will move quickly in its review."  MORE >>

Jan. 14 meeting. "The Board will consider whether to add a project to its technical agenda to address the discount rate used to measure the projected benefit obligation under Topic 715, Compensation -- Retirement Benefits, for market-return cash balance plans. The Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) discussed this issue and developed recommendations."  MORE >>

"[T]he court held that the committee satisfied its fiduciary obligations in selecting and retaining Russell and granted summary judgment in the committee's favor. By contrast, the court found that genuine issues of material fact remained as to whether Russell, acting as a 3(38) investment manager, breached its fiduciary duties by favoring its proprietary funds. As a result, Russell is left defending against the claims." [Wanek v. Russell Investments Trust Co., No. 21-0961 (D. Nev. Sep. 25, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[1] Speak in plain language ... [2] Focus on financial wellness ... [3] Make enrollment simple ... [4] Personalize education and support ... [5] Use technology to connect ... [6] Provide educational resources."  MORE >>

"PSCA asked about the student loan match ... in Jan. 2025.... 2.6% answered that they had implemented the feature or definitely would, and 74.7% responded that they will not be adding the feature at all. ... [R]espondents answered that they didn't want to deal with the admin, they didn't have a match, or they didn't have a sizeable employee population with student loans."  MORE >>

"51% have either stopped or reduced their retirement savings in the past six months due to the current economic environment. 59% are prioritizing saving for healthcare expenses over other financial goals due to anticipated premium hikes."  MORE >>

"[1] Retirement plans now create risk for employers and advisors.... [2] Employee financial wellbeing plays a larger role in retirement plan participation.... [3] Benefits decisions are increasingly interdependent."  MORE >>

"[Continental Army] Commander: We're fighting for freedom. And part of that freedom ... is the freedom to retire with dignity. So we're going to start accounts called 401(k)s. Soldier 1: What's a 401(k)?"  MORE >>

"Recently finalized rules from the United States Postal Service seek to clarify that the date on a postmark does not 'necessarily represent either the place at which, or the date on which, the Postal Service first accepted possession of the mailpiece' ... [T]axpayers filing tax returns and other tax documents by traditional first-class mail, and to which a filing deadline applies, should adjust by mailing the document earlier, requesting and obtaining a manual postmark at a retail counter at the time of mailing, and/or obtaining a certificate of mailing at such time. Failing to do so runs the risk that a return, payment, or other document that is timely turned over to USPS will be postmarked after the filing or due date, with associated and sometimes significant financial consequences. "  MORE >>

"For ISO exercises and ESPP transfers occurring in the 2024 calendar year, employers should file Copy A of the applicable forms with the IRS no later than February 28, 2025, for paper filers (March 31, 2025, for electronic filers). Copy B of the forms should be distributed to affected individuals no later than January 31, 2025."  MORE >>