403(b) Prototype to Allow for Vesting Schedules The Internal Revenue Service is working on a final revenue procedure for Section 403(b) prototype plans that takes into account comments received, James Flannery, a tax law specialist at IRS, said at the annual conference of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), according to BNA. Source: PlanSponsor

Specific Corporate Compliance Challenges: ERISA Provides a general overview of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and discusses best practices for fiduciary compliance, ERISA litigation and risk management, and ERISA reporting and disclosure requirements. Source: Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Effective Communication Can Drive Employee Engagement In a business environment that remains tumultuous, companies with highly effective internal communication programs are better placed to keep employees engaged and retain key talent, according to a new survey by Watson Wyatt. Source: 401khelpcenter.com

Retirement Income: The Axiomatic Case for Annuities This is the second in a series of articles on the broad issue of retirement income. In this article JP Morgan lays out the "axiomatic" case for annuities as the investment instrument for providing retirement income. Source: JP Morgan

Retirement is Biggest Investing Goal Nearly 70% of men and women in a recent poll said they are in the markets as a way to save for their retirement, while about half of both genders said they are more generally trying to build a financial nest egg. Source: Plansponsor.com

403(b) Plan Compliance Checklist This is a checklist to help determine if your ERISA-covered 403(b) plan is in compliance, and where your exposure may lie in the event of an audit. Source: Diversified Investment Advisors

Approaching 403(b) Plan Document Deadline Employers that allow employees to contribute to 403(b) plans and arrangements need to adopt a plan document by December 31, 2009 if they have not already done so. Those with a plan should contact their retirement providers to ensure their 403(b) plan documents comply with the plan document requirement and changes in the law. Source: Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Fees and Trading Costs of Equity Mutual Funds in 401k Plans and Potential Savings from ETFS and Commingled Trusts As the role of 401k and similar defined-contribution plans continues to expand in our retirement system, participants in these plans are paying more of the cost of financing their retirement income. This study examines the fees and trading costs for domestic equity mutual funds held in DC plans and compares them to ETFs or commingled trusts that hold ETFs. Source: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College

A Study of 401k Savings Disparities Across Racial and Ethnic Groups Significant differences can be found across race and ethnicity in the way U.S. employees save and invest in their 401k plans, according to this study -- the largest, most comprehensive examination of 401k saving and investing behaviors of African-American, Hispanic, Asian and white employees. Source: Ariel Investments

The DOL Issues New FAQ on Credentials; EFAST2 The article revisits the issue of filing signer credentials. The issue continues to provoke discussion among 5500 preparers because of their concerns regarding the employer's ability to navigate the process for obtaining filing signer credentials. Source: Sungard/Relius

EFAST2 PIN for Form 5500 Electronic Filing Is Plan Administrator's Signature and Must Not Be Shared The DOL has been asked whether a plan administrator can give its PIN to a TPA or other Form 5500 preparer, who can then use it to sign the filing before submitting it. The answer is no. The DOL acknowledges that it might be convenient for both the signer and submitter if this sharing could occur. Source: Employee Benefits Institute of America

Solving The Expatriate/Inpatriate Tax Puzzle U.S. taxpayers living in a foreign country, as well as foreign nationals working in the United States, face many puzzling tax issues. In these situations, it’s often difficult to understand your international tax liability. Source: St. Louis Small Business Monthly (Nauman Mian, Brown Smith Wallace)