"[T]he only participants who default to electronic disclosure of all participant statements are those who are wired-at-work and have received the required 2002 Safe Harbor Notice or those who have affirmatively elected ... to receive electronic statements.... [It] may be reasonable to just give paper statements to everyone (and, if you want, you can also provide duplicate electronic delivery to all). If you choose this option, however, remember to consider that one of the advantages to electronic delivery is the security it provides."  MORE >>

"[T]he increase in life expectancy may make retirement age even more flexible than it already is. Across advanced and emerging economies alike, healthier aging and evolving labor markets are gradually extending working lives through later-career participation, phased retirement and nontraditional employment."  MORE >>

"As 2025 bonuses are paid and higher-compensated employees begin to hit the catch-up contribution limit, payroll and recordkeeping systems are being tested in real time.... For many plans, the first catch-up contributions may occur in February or March, often triggered by bonus payments. That is when errors are most likely to surface if systems are not correctly configured."  MORE >>

"To avoid unintentionally favoring current or former highly compensated employees (HCEs), plan sponsors must navigate the nondiscrimination rules with care so the plan does not risk disqualification. A lump-sum window could be considered discriminatory if specific provisions in the design or operation disproportionately favor HCEs."  MORE >>

"The decline of defined benefit plans means fiduciaries need to give lifetime income products greater consideration.... The accumulation of assets in TDFs provides an opportunity to allow participants to annuitize, partially or fully, and the growth of the retail market shows a level of demand that would probably be better off if it were directed to in-plan options."  MORE >>

"Nearly all of the largest plans -- more than 95% of large 401(k) plans with 5,000 participants or more -- had employer contributions as of 2023. Yet employer contributions are also common even among smaller 401(k) plans -- 92% of 401(k) plans in the sample with 100 to 499 participants had them in 2023.... In 2023, $181 billion, or 35% of employer and employee contributions into large 401(k) plans, was from employer contributions."  MORE >>

"Medical professionals face some of the most complex financial planning challenges of any profession. Between high income, demanding schedules, private practice ownership, and advanced retirement plan opportunities, physicians and healthcare providers often require specialized retirement planning strategies that go beyond traditional financial advice."  MORE >>

"Building upon predecessor guidance in Notice 2025-68, the proposed rules provide clarity around account eligibility, who is authorized to establish a TA, and how the establishment process works -- information employers who plan to offer a Trump Account Contribution Program (TACP) will need to successfully draft eligibility guidelines and determine what to include in their benefit communications to employees."  MORE >>

"If the aggregate sales price or amount of securities sold by a company in reliance on Rule 701 during any consecutive 12-month period exceeds $10 million, before the date of sale the company must provide employees with 'enhanced disclosure' ... The new CDIs (271.26 and 271.27) clarify when enhanced disclosure must be provided and the consequence of not doing so."  MORE >>

"An excess benefit transaction occurs when an applicable tax-exempt organization [ATEO] provides a disqualified person with compensation that exceeds what the IRS views as 'reasonable' compensation.... To avoid triggering potential sanctions, ATEOs must ensure that compensation arrangements with any disqualified person meet IRS requirements for 'reasonable compensation.' "  MORE >>