How the 2019 government shut down affected lump sump payments from defined benefit pension plans due to the timing of the interest rates.
Government Regulation
Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 impacts hardship distributions from defined contribution plans.
OMB Completes Review of the Presidential Executive Order on Increasing Retirement Security in America
As outlined in our recent article, Executive Order on Increasing Retirement Security in America, President Trump executed this order to make it easier for businesses to join together to offer multiple employer plans, which are referred to as Association Retirement...
Executive Order on Strengthening Retirement Security in America
The goal of President Trump’s executive order is to expand access to retirement plans for American workers at small to mid-sized companies.
Michigan Now Requires More Disclosure from Local Governments Regarding their Pension and Retiree Health Systems
Michigan Public Act 202 requires more disclosure from local governments regarding their pension and retiree health systems.
Changes To The 402(f) Special Tax Notice
The 402(f) Special Tax Notice was revised as a result of the tax reform legislation known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”
Old Mortality Rates Survive Another Year
The IRS published the 2016 required mortality rates for purposes of minimum funding in defined benefit plans via Notice 2015-53. The 2016 rates will NOT be based on the newly published Society of Actuaries (SOA) RP2014 rates along with the improvement scale...
Push for Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor H.R.2096 and S.1212
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...
Watkins Ross Advocates Pro-ESOP Bills by Seeking a Congressional Visit
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...
The GreatBanc and DOL Settlement Agreement
The DOL recently reached a settlement of its lawsuit alleging violations of ERISA against GreatBanc. As part of the settlement, GreatBanc was required to enter into a “Fiduciary Process Agreement.” The agreement applies only to GreatBanc and is not a Regulation, Field...