"[T]he proposed amendments would, for plan years beginning after December 31, 2025... [1] Require defined contribution plans to furnish at least one paper pension benefit statement to participants each calendar year ... [2] Require defined benefit plans to furnish at least one paper pension benefit statement to participants every three calendar years ... [3] Require paper pension benefit statements to explain how participants may affirmatively elect electronic delivery of future statements."  MORE >>

"Retirement plan administrators who rely on DOL's 2002 e-disclosure safe harbor would need to take the following actions for employees who first become eligible to participate after December 31, 2025 ... [1] Deliver a new one-time paper notice to new participants before delivering the required benefit statement electronically instead of on paper. [2] Give new participants the ability to opt out of e-delivery of all required ERISA disclosures."  MORE >>

"If finalized as proposed, most participants and beneficiaries will continue to receive their retirement plan disclosures electronically, but plans will need to [1] Ensure at least one paper statement is sent on the required schedule unless the participant or beneficiary meets an electronic delivery exception, [2] Build or update processes for the new one-time paper notice for newly eligible individuals when using the 2002 safe harbor, and [3] Confirm that no participant-level fees are being charged for paper pension benefit statements under the 2020 safe harbor."  MORE >>

"The case arose from a multiemployer pension plan’s investments in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). The plan alleged that mortgage servicers and related entities mismanaged the underlying loans, engaged in self-dealing, and caused losses to the plan. Whether those claims could proceed depended on a threshold question—whether the underlying mortgage loans themselves, rather than just the RMBS instruments, constituted plan assets under ERISA." [Powell as Tr. of United Food & Com. Workers Union & Emps. Midwest Pension Fund v. Ocwen Fin. Corp., No. 23-999 (2d Cir. Mar. 26, 2026)]  MORE >>

"[T]hese cases show that courts (and particularly the Sixth Circuit) are willing to scrutinize dated actuarial assumptions used by defined benefit pension plans.... [T]he tables in these cases ... are by no means outliers. Mortality tables of this vintage are used by the majority of plans nationwide. While this has been an accepted industry practice for decades, this Sixth Circuit ruling demonstrates that it is not without risk." [Reichert v. Kellogg, No. 24-1442, consol. Watt v. FedEx, No. 24-5945 (6th Cir. Mar. 16, 2026)]  MORE >>

"The case ... centers on allegations that Southwest failed for years to remove the Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund ... from the Southwest Airlines Co. Retirement Savings Plan ... despite persistent underperformance against its benchmark and peer funds, which plaintiffs argue cost employees millions in retirement savings. The ruling addresses whether allegations tied to even a single imprudent investment option are sufficient to proceed past the pleading stage." [Anderson v. Southwest Airlines Co., No. 25-0214 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 25, 2026)]  MORE >>

"Because payroll determines how contributions are coded and reported, it remains the foundation of compliance.... Clear communication can prevent confusion. Sponsors should explain who is affected, how the income threshold works, and what the change means for both current taxes and long-term retirement planning.... Don't overlook the enhanced catch-up limit."  MORE >>

"[M]ost scenarios also show reductions in total plan costs and advisor compensation. The data also underscores a persistent reality: smaller plans continue to pay significantly more than their larger counterparts, and cost variation across providers remains substantial."  MORE >>

4-page chart compares features of 4 types of retirement plans commonly used by small businesses.  MORE >>

"Agreeing to indemnify others in a transaction would impose additional liabilities and financial risks on the ESOP without providing any participant benefit. That kind of risk assumption would be inconsistent with the trustee's fiduciary duties and would almost certainly constitute a breach under ERISA."  MORE >>

"Apollo wants you to believe Athene is the safest part of the machine. The reality is the opposite. Apollo's Private Credit and Private Mortgages, many worth 70 cents on the dollar, can hide their losses on the Athene balance sheet. If those loans are mispriced -- or deteriorate -- Athene absorbs the damage."  MORE >>

34 pages; Mar. 19, 2026. "What's New ... [1] New box 10, 'Family leave benefits,' was added to Form 1099-G to facilitate the reporting of family leave benefits paid by state paid family and medical leave programs.... [2] Form 1099-R ... was revised to include new check boxes 7b for IRA, SEP, and SIMPLE plans, check box 7c for Trump Account reporting, and new box 7d for reporting earnings on excess contributions.... [3] Form 5498-TA, Trump Account Contribution Information, and Form 1099-LPS, Long-Term Care Premiums Paid Statement, are currently under development and projected to be released in mid-2026 for tax year 2026/filing season 2027."  MORE >>

"Advisers’ deep knowledge of the fiduciary process can aid employers making sense of new disclosures from pharmacy benefit managers."  MORE >>

"Under the bill, if an employee subject to a non-compete is fired without cause, the agreement is unenforceable unless the employer provides severance pay or another form of monetary compensation. However, if the employee is fired 'for cause', the non-compete agreement is enforceable. The proposed law also requires employers to disclose any severance benefits or payments at the time the non-compete agreement is executed."  MORE >>

"The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for an employer after finding that a former employee's severance release was knowing and voluntary under all five factors the court applies, rejecting her claims of racial discrimination, gender discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment. The decision is a practical checklist for any employer that uses severance releases." [West v. Dow Chemical Co., No. 25-1681 (6th Cir. Mar. 10, 2026; unpub.)  MORE >>