BPP401k.com Newsletter
September 17, 2008
|
AUDIO: ERISA Fiduciaries: Ways to Avoid Costly Litigation - Summary: David Levin with Gallagher Benefit Services hosted this webinar that focused on litigation under ERISA brought against employee benefit plan sponsors, administrators and fiduciaries and how it is more important than ever for plan fiduciaries to formulate and adopt strategies to avoid benefit plan litigation. Located at: Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Click on headline for full article.
Justifying 401k Fees: A Challenge for Fiduciaries - Summary: Underlying the current spate of lawsuits over 401k fiduciary misconduct (particularly fee levels, revenue sharing, self-dealing, and active versus passive management) is a simple question: Are participants getting their money's worth for the fees they pay? That seemingly simple question gives rise to a multitude of other questions which are anything but simple. Located at: Investment Horizons (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.
GAO: 401k Service Providers Should Disclose Compensation - Summary: The Government Accountability Office, following an examination of common 401k plan features and the fiduciary obligations they entail under ERISA, recommends an expansion of service provider disclosure and liability obligations. Located at: CCH. Click on headline for full article.
Pros and Cons of Offering 401k Loans - Summary: When drafting or amending a plan, the employer determines whether to include a loan feature or not. Employers should carefully examine their 401k plans and determine whether they want to make loans available to participants. Located at: CNY Business Journal. Click on headline for full article.
401k Retirees, Take an Annuity for a Test-Drive - Summary: For a number of reasons including trust, annuities as a distribution option have not taken hold. To increase understanding and ramp up the level of trust, participants have to become more familiar with this form of payment. Located at: 401khelpcenter.com. Click on headline for full article.
'Two' Works for 403(b) Plans - Summary: At long last, a DOL official has spoken publicly about what constitutes a reasonable choice under its 403(b) safe harbor. Located at: Benefits Biz Blog. Click on headline for full article.
Enhanced Fee Disclosure by ERISA Plan Sponsors Required - Summary: Under several pending and final regulations, the Department of Labor will require more and enhanced disclosure of the fees that service providers receive in connection with the services that they render to certain employee benefit plans subject to the ERISA or to the prohibited transaction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This article examines these regulations as well as the impact they may have on ERISA plan sponsors. Located at: Dechert LLP (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.
DOL's 401k Rule Would Give Workers Key Information - Summary: The Department of Labor's proposed rules for 401k plan disclosure will significantly improve the quality of the information that workers are provided to make crucial decisions about retirement savings, and has the strong support of the fund industry, according to the Investment Company Institute. Located at: Investment Company Institute. Click on headline for full article.
IRS Provides 2007 Form 5500 Filing Tips - Summary: The IRS has provided some 2007 Form 5500 series filing tips for small and one-participant pension plans and welfare plans that are non-calendar year plans or have filed for an extension. Located at: CCH. Click on headline for full article.
Labor Department Sues Fiduciary to Recover 401k Assets
Labor Department Obtains Settlement With Business Owner to Restore 401k Funds
Upcoming Audio Conferences
McKay Hochman: 403(b) Plan Design Concepts
Did you know an employer could establish a safe harbor 403(b) arrangement? They can. How about an automatic enrollment arrangement? Sure. This plan design concept class will provide you with the wide array of options that may be built into a 403(b) plan today. October 16, 2008. For more information, click here.
McKay Hochman: QDIA and 401k Disclosures
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) enhanced disclosure requirements more than any law since ERISA. In addition, to promote the automatic enrollment plan, in PPA, Congress created the qualified default investment alternative and directed the DOL to provide guidance. This audio conference will cover the QDIA rules and the disclosure requirements created by PPA. December 11, 2008. For more information, click here.
This eNewsletter is published as a service to our clients. BSW Benefit Plans Plus, L.L.C. is not the author of the material unless specifically noted. We review each article to ensure that it is related to the interests of our clients, but BSW Benefit Plans Plus, L.L.C. does not endorse and disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the material. All articles are copyrighted to their publishers.
This eNewsletter is prepared in partnership with 401khelpcenter.com, LLC. and is copyright (c) 2008 by 401khelpcenter.com, LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction without prior authorization.
THIS ENEWSLETTER IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL, TAX OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.