The ERISA consultants at the Learning Center Resource Desk, which is available through Columbia Threadneedle Investments, regularly receive calls from financial advisors on a broad array of technical topics related to IRAs and qualified retirement plans.
A recent call with a financial advisor in Ohio is representative of a common question related to DOL investigations. The advisor asked:
“Are there specific guidelines the DOL follows when investigating an employer-sponsored retirement plan for fiduciary violations?”
Highlights of Discussion
Yes, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) division of the DOL has a very detailed Enforcement Manual, which the public may access through the DOL’s website. Chapter 48 of the manual pertains specifically to the Fiduciary Investigation Program (Program 48), applicable to employee benefit plans such as 401(k) plans.
Program 48 includes several DOL checklists — referred to as Figures in the text — that the DOL auditor completes as part of an investigation. For example:
The DOL clarifies that the Investigation Guidelines (Figure 6) should not be considered as either mandatory or all-inclusive, but should be used to the extent deemed appropriate for the plan.
The Investigation Guidelines are arranged in two parts:
The investigator may apply additional investigative steps if deemed necessary.
Conclusion
Plan sponsors can use Chapter 48 of the Enforcement Manual as a guide for conducting their own fiduciary reviews to uncover any potential deficiencies in their plans and implement remedies before the DOL targets them for formal investigations. For plan sponsors who have already been notified of a pending investigation, Chapter 48 can give them an idea of what to expect.
The Learning Center Resource Desk is staffed by the Retirement Learning Center, LLC (RLC), a third-party industry consultant that is not affiliated with Columbia Threadneedle. Any information provided is for informational purposes only. It cannot be used for the purposes of avoiding penalties and taxes. Columbia Threadneedle does not provide tax or legal advice. Consumers consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.
Information and opinions provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Columbia Threadneedle.
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