"An annuity buyout for active participants that will remain employed is not the type of event that the statute or regulation were designed to capture. Though the annuitized individuals will cease to be participants in the Plan, the change in status does not result because of a workforce reduction event of the type contemplated by PBGC's regulations, such as 'a reorganization or restructuring, the discontinuance of an operation or business, a natural disaster, a mass layoff, or an early retirement incentive program.' "  MORE >>

"This notice provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates ... and the 24-month average segment rates ... [as well as] the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities ... as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008 and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate[.]"  MORE >>

"This article summarizes the statutory provisions on qualified long-term care distributions and notes where Notice 2026-33 provides clarifying guidance for sponsors, plan administrators, and insurers."  MORE >>

"For plan sponsors, the proposal is less about introducing entirely new requirements and more about reinforcing how decisions should be documented and communicated. In practice, that means: [1] Make sure the plan's investment process is documented -- not just the conclusion. [2] Ensure committee minutes reflect the evaluation and discussion. [3] Be clear on how advisors are being used in the decision-making process. [4] Continue to monitor investments after selection."  MORE >>

"Consistent with existing ERISA principles and Supreme Court guidance, the proposed rule confirms that the same fiduciary standards apply to all investment options, regardless of whether they invest in public or private markets. As always, fiduciaries must maintain a prudent process that considers all relevant facts and circumstances when evaluating plan investments."  MORE >>

"Rising postage costs, delivery slowdowns at the postal service and an increasingly digital workforce have accelerated the use of electronic communications. But even as email, mobile apps and text alerts become the industry norm, employers and regulators are grappling with a difficult balancing act: how to modernize disclosures without increasing cybersecurity risks, excluding participants who still rely on paper, or running afoul of SECURE 2.0’s requirements."  MORE >>

"The rapid advancement of AI creates new fiduciary, operational, and governance risks for pension systems. Outright bans are not realistic. Developing a dynamic, principle-based AI governance is essential to protecting beneficiaries' data, while safely streamlining efficiencies and enhancing returns."  MORE >>

40 pages. "This issue brief provides an analysis of how lifetime retirement income features are currently used in public sector DC plans and identifies the rationale for why providing these features is an advantageous policy. It outlines a best-practices framework for public sector DC plan sponsors to evaluate and select annuity options.... The framework addresses common objections, compares product types, and provides a structured due-diligence process to prioritize adequate lifetime income while considering costs, participant needs, and administrative feasibility. "  MORE >>

"FAB 2026-01  rests upon an assumption fundamentally at odds with ERISA’s fiduciary framework. The FAB repeatedly suggests that fiduciaries may satisfy their obligations through process-oriented reliance upon service providers, consultants, product manufacturers, and other market participants. Yet ERISA §404(a) imposes a duty far more demanding. A fiduciary must engage in an independent investigation and objective evaluation sufficient to determine whether an investment is prudent and in the best interests of participants."  MORE >>

"In deciding whether to distribute the SMM versus an updated SPD, plan administrators should consider the number of modifications that need to be described and whether the use of the SMM alone would sufficiently apprise covered persons of their benefits, rights, and obligations under the plan."  MORE >>

"RSUs, bonuses, and raises can contribute to long-term financial progress, but only when you pair them with intentional planning. High-income earners face a unique combination of high marginal tax rates, variable cash flow, and complex decision-making."  MORE >>