Recordkeepers have acted quickly to incorporate social distancing and follow stay-at-home orders in response to the Coronavirus pandemic—including a whopping 98% of staffers working at home—a new survey finds. That’s a huge jump from the 20% reported three months ago, according to a summary of the... READ MORE

The American Retirement Association (ARA) on March 30 requested relief from the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) on certain ERISA notice and disclosure requirements. The ARA made the request in a March 30 letter to the Honorable Preston Rutledge, DOL Assistant... READ MORE

The spread of the Coroinavirus, and the measures to keep it under control, have caused dramatic changes in the financial environment underpinning retirement plans. A recent Plan Sponsor Council of America webinar discussed what it means for plans and participants.  In “COVID-19 Market Impact... READ MORE

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would make it possible for 403(b) plans to invest in a broader array of forms of investment than they can currently.  The Public Service Retirement Fairness Act, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), would allow 403(b)s to... READ MORE

The American Retirement Association (ARA) is pressing the IRS to extend the remedial amendment period for 403(b) plans by one year. The ARA made the recommendation in a March 16 letter to Cathy Jones, Director of the IRS Office of Employee Plans, in which it comments on the 403(b) plan remedial... READ MORE

The IRS announced on March 11 that high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) can pay for Coronavirus (COVID-19)-related testing and treatment without jeopardizing their qualified status. This also means that an individual with an HDHP that covers these costs may continue to contribute to a health... READ MORE

The IRS and the Department of Labor should strengthen their oversight of executive retirement plans, the Government Accountability Office says in a recently released report. In “Private Pensions: IRS and DOL Should Strengthen Oversight of Executive Retirement Plans,” the GAO notes that executive... READ MORE

The impact of the SECURE Act—the most significant retirement-related legislation in more than a decade—is well-known in many respects. Among the lesser-known impacts of the new law are those on 403(b) plans. A recent webinar from the National Tax-Deferred Savings Association (NTSA) discussed them... READ MORE

The Security and Exchange Commission is putting sales of 403(b) plans to teachers under its scrutiny. Where did this come from? And what does it mean? In June 2019, the SEC announced two new initiatives that it said built on its ongoing efforts to protect retail investors: The Teachers’ Initiative... READ MORE