DOL Proposed Rule Urges Caution Regarding the Use of ESG Factors for ERISA Plans
Latest from Benefits & Compensation Blog
IRS Provides Temporary Relief from Physical Presence Requirement
Many plan administrators and participants have struggled with how to satisfy certain qualified plan spousal consent rules while social distancing guidelines have been in effect. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided much-needed relief on that topic in Notice 2020-42, published on June 3, 2020 (the Notice).
By way of background, IRS regulations require that in the case of a participant election that is required to be witnessed by a plan representative or a notary…
The DOL Embraces Wider Use of Electronic Notices for ERISA Disclosures
DOL Issues Guidance about Private Equity Investments in 401(k) Plans
The Department of Labor’s recent pronouncement on the permissibility of investing 401(k) and other defined contribution plan assets in private equity has gotten wide-spread attention. Yet the guidance, which was issued in the form of an information letter, does not establish any new fiduciary principles, or provide any exemptions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Nevertheless, the guidance is of great significance to the industry and this blog discusses why.…
Flexibility for Flexible Spending Accounts in Light of COVID-19
The IRS and the Treasury Department, acknowledging the widespread impact of COVID-19, have issued Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33, granting much-sought flexibility for flexible spending accounts (“FSAs”) and health plans. Though the Section 125 cafeteria plan rules applicable to FSAs and health plans already permitted some limited election changes in the case of changes in status (for example, in the event of significant cost or coverage changes), they did not address the wide array…
Reducing or Suspending Matching or Nonelective Contributions Under a Safe Harbor Plan
DOL Issues COVID-Related Deadline Relief
The Department of Labor (together with the Treasury Department) has issued helpful deadline relief for participants and beneficiaries in health, disability, other welfare and pension plans, as well as for plan sponsors and administrators of such plans, during the COVID-19 National Emergency. The guidance came just in time for plan administrators at risk of missing the deadline for distributing annual funding notices, which was April 29 this year.…
COVID-19-Executive Compensation Considerations
In addition to addressing the benefit and compensation provisions of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) for their general employee population, most company boards of directors (or applicable board committees) are also grappling with the unique issues relating to compensation and benefits of their executive employees at an uncertain time when such employees are critical to the company’s ability to weather the storm. See our blog post on Mayer Brown’s …
CARES Act – Employment, Compensation, Payroll Tax and Paid Leave Provisions
In the third and final of a series, our employment and benefits teams take an in depth look at the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act” or the “Act”) affecting employment, compensation, payroll taxes and paid leave. Read more on the Mayer Brown COVID-19 Blog.…
CARES Act – Changes for Retirement Plans
In the second of a series, our benefits team takes an in depth look at the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) affecting retirement plans. Changes include new coronavirus-related distributions, modified plan loan rules, and a temporary waiver of required minimum distributions. Read more on the Mayer Brown COVID-19 blog.…