"This final rule ... prescribe[s] the spreads component of the interest assumption under the asset allocation regulation for plans with valuation dates of April 30, 2026 - July 30, 2026. These interest assumptions are used for valuing benefits under terminating single-employer plans and for other purposes."  MORE >>

"The Proposed Rule is process‑based and asset‑neutral. It neither mandates nor prohibits any asset class, including alternative investments.... Asset‑allocation vehicles, including target‑date funds, are expressly within the rule's scope. The Proposed Rule underscores the importance of documenting the fiduciary decision making process, the appropriate use of expert advisors, and ongoing monitoring."  MORE >>

"A new safe harbor process framework does not eliminate the practical issue that alternative assets often involve more limited transparency, different fee structures, liquidity constraints, and valuation methodologies that can be harder to benchmark that can be more difficult to benchmark and defend. It is likely that plaintiffs' counsel would focus heavily on benchmarking, valuation practices, and fee reasonableness relative to documented expected benefits."  MORE >>

"If finalized as proposed and upheld by the courts, the Proposed Regulation would potentially ... [1] Reduce litigation risk for fiduciaries that document a prudent selection process. [2] Encourage innovation in plan menus, particularly within professionally managed vehicles such as target-date funds and managed accounts. [3] Reaffirm fiduciary flexibility to consider alternative assets thoughtfully."  MORE >>

"[The SEC has] issued an Interpretative Release related to how federal securities laws will be applied to many cryptocurrency assets and related transactions. This release clarifies the SEC's approach in an area otherwise historically challenged with much uncertainty, especially with respect to the fundamental regulatory question of which crypto assets are considered securities and which aren't."  MORE >>

"[1] What do you want for your employees? ... [2] What kind of plan is right for you? ... [3] Are you eligible for a 'church plan'? ... [4] What legal or administrative issues might arise? ... [5] Where you can you get help?"  MORE >>

"Generation X means people born between 1965 and 1980.... This group is the first to mostly depend on 401(k) savings instead of old-style ... Gen X is the least confident generation about retirement readiness. One in five Gen Xers has already delayed retirement due to financial concerns.... Around 25.8% of Gen X has an outstanding 401(k) loan, the highest among all generations."  MORE >>

"The Working Group has asked for input on how to ensure that indexed annuity illustrations give consumers reasonable expectations, after regulators observed materials suggesting annual returns of 10-25% for multiple years. The comment record -- including responses from industry trades, actuarial bodies, consumer advocates, and vendors -- strongly suggests that current practices around indexed annuity illustrations and disclosures will be revisited. The Working Group is considering short-term and long-term approaches designed to ensure consumers receive reasonable expectations for indexed annuity returns at the point of sale."  MORE >>

"From 2010 to 2024, the amount of assets in private sector DC plans increased by 94.4% and in federal government DC plans increased by 145.3%, while the amount in private sector DB plans decreased by 22.3% and in federal government DB plans decreased by 5.5%." [Also available: CRS In Focus 13193: U.S. Retirement Assets, Data in Brief]  MORE >>

"The proposed rule gives individuals the freedom to diversify their assets, choose a more aggressive investment approach if desired, and to pool assets, giving individuals access to invest in vehicles that have been reserved for institutional and accredited investors for decades.... If finalized after the public comment period, the proposal could open the door to broader diversification, potentially stronger long-term returns, and a retirement system that elevates middle-class savers instead of permanently limiting them to a narrow set of public market funds."  MORE >>

"Given how much most plan sponsors worry about litigation risk, many will need more clarification before they take the plunge. While the proposed rule aims to provide clarity, the questions it raises around fees, liquidity, valuation, and complexity are significant. They are precisely the areas of greatest fiduciary risk and where plan sponsors will need clear guidance before they can act with confidence."  MORE >>

"Employers interested in making contributions to Trump Accounts or facilitating employee contributions to Trump Accounts may wish to begin planning now to identify open questions as well as internal resources and assistance that may be needed from service providers, in particular if there is a desire to have a program in place under a cafeteria plan in time for open enrollment near the end of 2026."  MORE >>

"Nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) don't have that many issues, assuming the Form W-2 accurately includes the income from the spread at exercise. At sale, the basis adjustment for ordinary income relating to the stock sold from the NQSO is sometimes missed.... Taxpayers who are unfamiliar with the alternative minimum tax (AMT) might miss the adjustments relating to ISOs.... For AMT reporting, the special beneficial tax rules for ISO don't apply. Instead the spread at exercise is part of AMT income."  MORE >>

"[EO 14372] may require underperforming contractors to implement 'remediation plans' ... and calls for new contract terms restricting stock buybacks and executive compensation paid by some defense contractors.... [T]he EO does not define many of the terms used, raising numerous questions as to the potential scope of its application, as well as the authority for the U.S. Department of Defense/ War to take some of the actions called for in the EO."  MORE >>