Employers who sponsor 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans in which participants may direct the investments of their accounts now have a deadline to provide lifetime income illustrations in those plans’ benefit statements. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently
Employee Benefits Law Report
Reporting on recent legal developments and trends affecting employee benefits
The Employee Benefits Law Report, published by Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP, focuses on legal and regulatory issues related to employee benefit plans. It covers topics such as compliance with Department of Labor (DOL) guidance, ERISA requirements, summary plan descriptions, plan documents, and fiduciary responsibilities. The blog addresses practical concerns for plan sponsors and fiduciaries, including annual funding notices, ESOP transaction regulations, and best practices for plan administration. It also provides explanations of key employee benefits concepts and helps employers navigate complex regulatory frameworks affecting retirement and welfare benefit plans.
Latest from Employee Benefits Law Report - Page 2
IRS updates Nonqualified Plan Audit Technique Guide—Is a new enforcement initiative on the horizon?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Audit Techniques Guide (NQDC). It released Publication 5528 (NQDC guide) on June 1, 2021. The IRS last updated the NQDC Guide in 2015. Interestingly, the 2015 NQDC Guide was…
DOL confirms cyber security is an ERISA fiduciary issue and issues guidance for retirement plan sponsors, service providers and participants
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced new guidance for plan sponsors, fiduciaries, record keepers and participants on best practices for maintaining cyber security. This is the first time the DOL has issued such guidance, and it comes in…
For public companies, the time to update executive compensation practices is now: Final regulations issued under IRC Section 162(m) and American Rescue Plan Act further expands class of covered employees
By Dave Tumen & Greg Daugherty
At long last, the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service published final regulations to explain how changes to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) affect the deductibility (or lack…
Public companies may need to amend nonqualified and incentive compensation plans by Dec. 31, 2020
By Greg Daugherty & Dave Tumen
Public company nonqualified plans and incentive plans may need to be amended to avoid a potential violation of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 409A as a result of changes to IRC Section 162(m) under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.…
New IRS guidance reminds employers about new long-term part-time employee eligibility rules for 401(k) plans
Much of the employee benefits news this year has related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, particularly with respect to the greater flexibility it provided 401(k) plan participants with respect to requesting in-service distributions and loans.…
Process matters: IRS issues guidance on recognition of income and FICA taxes for stock-settled awards
By Greg Daugherty & Dave Tumen
On May 22, 2020, the IRS released an Office of Chief Counsel Memorandum that addresses (i) the date that fair market value is determined and when gross income and federal income tax withholding liability arises for stock-settled awards and (ii)…
Aug. 31 deadline to rollover 2020 RMDs is quickly approaching
Once a taxpayer reaches age 72 (or age 70 ½ if the taxpayer reached age 70 ½ prior to 2020), the Internal Revenue Code requires owners of most retirement accounts to withdraw minimum distributions (RMDs) from those accounts. To provide…
ESOPs from the seller’s perspective
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can be a great option for small business owners looking for a tax-advantaged way to sell their business. My colleague, Greg Daugherty, recently appeared on an episode of the podcast, “The ESOP Guy:…
Wage withholding in a remote working environment
Employers generally must withhold income taxes on behalf of employees based on where the employee works. Typically this determination is simplified by the location of the employer’s offices. The COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding stay-at-home orders have altered the working situations…