Retirement plans, post-employment health plan benefits, and self-insured business financial and liability reporting requirements continually evolve and change over time. Retirement and health plan regulatory parties must consequently update terms, conditions, and reporting obligations regularly. Keep your business up-to-date and compliant by connecting with the latest retirement and health plan news on the Watkins Ross blog. From 401(k) rules and pension benefit specifics to deferrals, distributions, and incurred liability considerations, Watkins Ross breaks down the latest news and important retirement and health plan updates so you can ensure your business provides the best possible benefits for your employees at the least amount of regulatory reporting risk. Interested in obtaining an expert look into your business’s current benefits and exploring how they fit within an ever-changing regulatory climate? Contact the Watkins Ross actuaries and retirement and health plan teams to obtain an in-depth assessment of your plan positioning, reporting liabilities, and cost-saving opportunities.
There is overwhelming evidence that ESOP Companies are more productive, more profitable and more sustainable by providing locally controlled Jobs. The Pro-Private ESOP Company Tax Bill introduced in House and Senate would expand the availability of ESOPs in S...
The Highly Ranked Profession that Almost No One Understands You know the scene. It happens at every party or barbecue you’ve ever attended. You meet someone new and chat for a while. Eventually the conversation runs dry so you turn to those tried and true small talk...
As many of you know, we moved to our new location (200 Ottawa NW Suite 600) in late October 2014. It was a very exciting challenge and certainly a learning experience, since you never know how much you have until you have to move it! Watkins Ross is...
Watkins Ross is 100% employee owned – we believe in ESOPs – we believe that ESOP laws should be continued and expanded. ESOP’s are in the law and Congress can take them away. It is important to keep advocating laws that encourage the creation and operation of...
2I – 2O – 2P – 2Q – 3I, Bingo! Entering incorrect information on the return or report, or leaving a field blank when there should be an entry increases the likelihood that you’ll be selected for an Employee Plans Compliance Unit compliance check. Plan characteristic...
Watkins Ross has been named a Silver ESOP Award winner by The ESOP Association. The Silver ESOP Awards recognize companies for their work in sustaining their ESOP for 25 years or more. Watkins Ross is one of 48 corporate members of the Association to be honored in...
Single employer defined benefit pension plans that have a lump sum distribution option must keep the plan at least 80% funded in order to continue to offer the full lump sum payment to their participants. This requirement was added by the Pension Protection Act...
The IRS recently published guidelines for Plan Sponsors to adhere to regarding the documentation of hardship distributions and participant loans. Generally speaking, plan participants sign a distribution form certifying that they qualify for a hardship...
The IRS requires a defined benefit plan pay a distribution to a participant in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution.
Section 401(a)(17) provides an annual compensation limit for each employee under a qualified plan.