"Plan sponsors should take this ruling as an opportunity to review and strengthen their beneficiary designation procedures ... First, ensure that plan documents clearly articulate the methods by which participants may designate or change beneficiaries ... Second, train HR personnel to recognize informal beneficiary change requests ... Third, consider implementing confirmation systems that notify participants when beneficiary changes have been successfully processed ... Fourth, consider conducting a beneficiary designation review and audit." [Packaging Corp. of Am. Thrift Plan for Hourly Emps. v. Langdon, No. 25-1859 (7th Cir. Feb. 2, 2026)]  MORE >>

"In all four of its amicus curia briefs, the DOL has explained its position that, where a plan allows forfeitures to be used to offset employer contributions or pay plan expenses, there is no breach of fiduciary duty where a plan fiduciary decides to use forfeitures to offset employer contributions."  MORE >>

"By shifting many administrative and fiduciary duties to a pooled plan provider (PPP), employers can spend less time managing plan mechanics and more time focusing on their business and employees. That said, a PEP does not eliminate employer responsibility entirely ... [It] creates a clearer, more efficient division of responsibilities that often offers employers greater peace of mind."  MORE >>

"[A]rtificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are seen as major catalysts in plan administration and participant experience. AI is anticipated to enhance personalized financial guidance, predictive modeling, and customized communications."  MORE >>

"The net financial position of the single-employer insurance program is projected to increase significantly over the next 10 years ... The net financial position of the multiemployer insurance program is likely to remain positive for more than 40 years."  MORE >>

"[T]he confidence boost tied to having an advisor is actually most pronounced among lower-balance savers. In other words, professional guidance may be especially impactful for younger employees who are still in the early stages of building wealth. That matters, because Gen Z is already engaging with retirement saving."  MORE >>

"The risk that receives the least amount of attention is likely a cognitive decline ... Studies have shown that financial literacy peaks in the mid-50s and declines steadily thereafter, even among those without diagnosed cognitive impairment. The ability to evaluate complex financial investment decisions, recognize fraud, and manage tax-efficient withdrawals diminishes exactly when the stakes are the highest."  MORE >>

"[T]he main advantage of delaying until later in the year is a bit of extra tax-deferred compounding.... The big benefit to taking RMDs as soon as possible is to ensure that you don't forget and risk a penalty.  ... Taking distributions semiannually, quarterly, or monthly, with those distributions equaling the full-year RMD amount, helps ensure that you receive a range of prices for the assets that you sell."  MORE >>

"[It] is not necessary to garner comprehensive familiarity with everything that's involved in these programs in order to provide the support clients need.... [T]hese three stacks are shaping up ... Each of these stacks seems to be developing their own dialect and focus.... Each of these stacks seems to be developing their own dialect and focus."  MORE >>

"By expanding their allegations against ERISA plans, plaintiff firms unlocked the ability to sue individual plan sponsors, and sometimes individual plans, multiple times.... [O]ver a dozen companies ... faced multiple class ERISA lawsuits over the past two years, some by the same plaintiff firm. [This article provides an] analysis of ERISA litigation ... to highlight its unfairness to the plan sponsor community, and its impact on the fiduciary liability insurance market."  MORE >>

"As the 20‑year mark approaches, now is the perfect moment for a quick compliance check. Over time, plan administration often drifts from what the written document actually says. And with Code Section 409A's unforgiving rules, even small mismatches can trigger significant tax implications for the participant, including immediate income inclusion, a 20% penalty tax on the amount involved, and additional penalties and interest. Worse yet, Code Section 409A often limits an employer's ability to fix problems simply by amending the written plan document."  MORE >>

"[1] You sold any or all of the shares at the time of RSU vesting, option exercise, or ESPP purchase ... [2] You report a stock sale with the unadjusted cost basis shown on Form 1099-B from your broker ... [3] You report W-2 income received from equity compensation ... [4] You exercised incentive stock options and held the shares ... [5] You triggered the AMT from an ISO exercise/hold in an earlier tax year."  MORE >>