When Good Loans Go Bad

Posted on April 3, 2013 by maggie

April 2013 Newsletter When Good Loans Go Bad In this           issue: Introduction Background Going to the Dark Side Default Cure Period Deemed Distribution Offset Examples of Good Loans Gone Bad Loans Not Permitted Refinancing Not Permitted Loan Term Too Long … Continue reading →

Don’t Let Missing Participants and Small Balances Become a Big Problem

Posted on February 4, 2013 by admin

February 2013 Newsletter Don’t Let Missing Participants and Small Balances Become a Big Problem In this issue: Introduction Forcing Distribution of Small Balances What if the Participant’s Account Balance includes Rollovers? Check the Plan Document What about Large Balances? What … Continue reading →

The IRS Meets Letterman

Posted on December 3, 2012 by maggie

December 2012 Newsletter The IRS Meets Letterman In this issue: Introduction 1. Failure to timely adopt amendments required by tax law changes 2. Failure to follow the plan’s definition of compensation when determining benefits 3. Failure to include eligible employees … Continue reading →

How to Survive a Visit from the IRS or DOL

Posted on October 2, 2012 by admin

October 2012 Newsletter   How to Survive a Visit from the IRS or DOL In this issue: Introduction What Are They Looking for, Anyway? Department of Labor Internal Revenue Service Why Me? What Should You Do When You Receive an … Continue reading →

Top Heavy Impact on 401(k) Plans

Posted on August 1, 2012 by admin

August 2012 Newsletter Top Heavy Impact on 401(k) Plans In this issue: Introduction What is a Top Heavy Plan? How is Top Heavy Calculated? Consequences of Being Top Heavy Impact on 401(k) Plans How to Avoid Top Heavy Contributions in … Continue reading →

Fiduciary Fact or Fiction

Posted on June 4, 2012 by admin

June 2012 Newsletter Fiduciary Fact or Fiction In this issue: Introduction Fidelity Bond Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (QDIAs) Co-Fiduciaries Participant Investment Direction and 404(c) Compliance Service Providers Fees Summary The rules that govern the behavior of retirement plan fiduciaries are … Continue reading →

The Final Fee Disclosure Regulations Have Arrived

Posted on April 3, 2012 by admin

In this issue: Introduction Why is Fee Disclosure such a Big Deal? What is the Solution? Are all Service Providers Required to Comply? Investment Professionals Platform Providers Third Party Administrators Other Providers What must be Disclosed? When must the Information … Continue reading →

At Your Service

Posted on February 28, 2012 by admin

In this issue: Introduction Methods of Counting Service Elapsed Time Method Actual Hours Method Equivalency Method Reasons for Counting Service Initial Plan Eligibility Vesting Other Reasons to Count Service Conclusion One of the most fundamental requirements in managing a qualified … Continue reading →

Increasing 401(k) Plan Participation

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

In this issue: Introduction Advantages of Increased Participation Methods of Increasing Participation Relaxed Eligibility Requirements Automatic Enrollment Matching Contributions Regular Employee Communications Enhanced Withdrawal Opportunities Frequent Election Periods Adequate Investment Options Conclusion IRS and Social Security Annual Limits Cash or … Continue reading →

Participant Fee Disclosure Requirements for Individual Account Plans

Posted on October 26, 2011 by admin

In this issue: Introduction Plans Subject to the Disclosure Requirements Compliance Dates Who Must Provide the Disclosures? Designated Investment Alternatives Plan-Related Information Investment-Related Information Variable Rate of Return Investments Fixed or Stated Rate of Return Investments Website and Glossary Requirements … Continue reading →