Rev. Jun. 12, 2026. "The information on Form 5498 is submitted to the IRS by the trustee or issuer of your individual retirement arrangement (IRA) to report contributions, including any catch-up contributions, rollovers, repayments, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and the fair market value (FMV) of the account."  MORE >>

"PBGC runs two distinct insurance programs: one for single-employer pensions and a second for multiemployer plans.... PBGC maintains separate reserve funds for each program." [CRS 95-118 updated Jun. 18, 2026; also available: CRS IF10492, PBGC: an Overview]  MORE >>

"This guidance provides welcome relief for employers that are considering adopting an Employer Contribution Program and should result in additional uptake by employers. If employers only fund Trump Accounts established for the benefit of employees’ dependents, then this will function as a straightforward safe harbor for ERISA exemption."  MORE >>

"[T]he Third Circuit affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment to Quest Diagnostics and its plan committees, holding that the fiduciaries of Quest's 401(k) plan did not breach their duty of prudence under ERISA by continuing to offer two underperforming investment options.... The court grounded its analysis in the principle that ERISA fiduciary duties derive from the common law of trusts and that the statute is concerned principally with process rather than outcomes, emphasizing that a fund's poor performance alone does not mandate drastic or sudden action." [In re Quest Diagnostics ERISA Litigation, No. 24-2866 (3d Cir. June 22, 2026)]  MORE >>

"The three-judge appellate panel found that although ERISA lacks an explicit reasonableness requirement, the 'plain meaning of the words in 'actuarial equivalence' suggests reasonable, realistic actuarial assumptions.' The decision cited professional standards requiring actuaries to use reasonable assumptions and produce reasonable results, as well as literature suggesting that in many circumstances actuaries must ensure that previously selected assumptions remain reasonable." [Drummond v. Southern Company, No. 24-12773 (11th Cir. May 26, 2026)]  MORE >>

"One of the trickiest parts when you've discovered an error may have been made is how to communicate with your client about it.... [If] the client is wrong, there's no reason to apologize. More importantly, most E&O policies provide that coverage can be denied if the insured admits fault without the consent of the insurer.... Every TPA owner should instruct all client-facing employees that, if the client claims an error was made, they should ... ask for an opportunity to investigate and report back. Do not admit fault."  MORE >>

"The traditional definition of a missing participant centers on failed outreach, including returned mail, inactive accounts, outdated contact details, or uncashed checks. But that definition assumes the individual is still living. In reality, that is not always the case."  MORE >>

"This article examines how common investment adviser compensation structures can create conflicts of interest that undermine retirement outcomes and increase fiduciary risk for plan sponsors. It outlines key conflict areas and explains how these arrangements can influence recommendations. The paper provides practical guidance for identifying and mitigating conflicts, emphasizing the importance of fee transparency, independent advice, and compensation models that align with participants' best interests."  MORE >>

"But if one had either the inclination or the incentive to think about what is going on here they would notice that HCE is getting his money in 2031 while NHCE is getting his in 2056 with that time value of money difference ignored. In any case, these age weighted Profit Sharing plans are not going away even if younger lower-paid employees were ever to wise up.... [B]ased on 2024 5500-SF filings, 30% of all Defined Contribution plans (212,662 out of 720,335) use age weighting in their allocations."  MORE >>

"The litigation risk around Pension Risk Transfer annuities is increasing, not decreasing.... The new PBGC opinion letter is especially important.... The very reason PBGC says it no longer needs early warning is the same reason retirees suffer a present legal and economic injury."  MORE >>

"[A] healthy 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need to save on average: [1] $418,000 under Original Medicare with Medigap Plan G plus Part D coverage, an increase of $30,000 (+7.7%) from 2025. The couple is projected to spend an average of $637,000 on healthcare expenses over the course of their remaining lifetime. [2] $211,000 with Medicare Advantage plus Part D (MAPD), an increase of $28,000 (+15.3%) from 2025. The couple is projected to spend an average of $320,000 on healthcare expenses over the course of their remaining lifetime."  MORE >>

"An ongoing dispute about a [DOL] advisory opinion published last September raises a basic but unanswered question under the ERISA: What is a bonus? The answer to this simple question is surprisingly unclear, leaving uncertainty about whether ERISA applies to a variety of common compensation arrangements."  MORE >>

Topics: [1] Should you sell RSU shares at vesting or hold them? [2] Strategies to reduce the tax impact of RSU vesting. [3] Withhold-to-cover vs. sell-to-cover for taxes at RSU vesting. [4] Tools for financial and tax planning with restricted stock and RSUs.  MORE >>