Carol Buckmann Talks Private Equity in 401(k)s and Trump Administration Impact with InvestmentNews

Private equity in 401(k) plans presents valuation, liquidity, and fee challenges, requiring careful evaluation, says expert Carol Buckmann.

Firm News, Qualified Retirement PlanSandra CohenJanuary 10, 2025fiduciary advice

Why Your Employee Benefit Plan Needs a Cybersecurity Policy

A written cybersecurity policy sets out the framework for fulfilling ERISA fiduciary responsibilities.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannJanuary 5, 2025ERISA, cybersecurity

A Benefits Wish List for 2025

Here’s a list of changes we’d like to see in 2025.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannDecember 8, 2024benefits wish list, ERISA, SECURE 2.0

The ABCs of RMDs: A Guide to Required Minimum Distributions

RMDs generally were established to ensure that individuals begin withdrawing funds from their retirement plans, like 401(k)s, and IRAs, at a specific age. This policy helps the government collect taxes on these savings, which were initially tax-deferred. With people living longer, the age for RMDs was recently pushed back, giving your savings more time to grow before you dip in.

SECURE 2.0, Qualified Retirement Plan, Individual Retirement AccountGretchen HardersOctober 6, 2024

Takeaways from Dismissal of Anti-ESG Lawsuit Against New York City Pension Funds

Lawsuits brought on behalf of anti-ESG activists have been dismissed, demonstrating that politically-motivated lawsuits may face obstacles.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanJeff MamorskyJuly 18, 2024ESG, pensionplans, standing

The Supreme Court’s Rejection of Chevron Deference Could Upend Employee Plan Compliance

The Supreme Court’s recent decision ending deference to administrative agency interpretations of the law doesn’t mention ERISA, but it will have a big impact on employee benefit plans.

Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannJuly 5, 2024Chevron, regulations, compliance

Chevron's Demise Creates Special Challenges for Defined Contribution Plans

The end of Chevron deference will make it difficult to tell which regulations are binding.

How Will Chevron's Demise Affect Employee Benefits?

Prepare for even more uncertainty about the status of ERISA regulations.

ERISA at 50: The Development of New Rights and Protections and Where ERISA Has Fallen Short

Happy 50th Birthday, ERISA!. When ERISA was enactedin 1974, it provided new federal protections for plan participants. These protections have increased over the years, and spouses have gained greater rights. There have also been changes not foreseen by ERISA’s drafters such as the decline of single employer defined benefit plans. Though much progress has been made, this is also an appropriate time to consider where ERISA has fallen short.

Use of 401(k) Plan Forfeitures Continues to be Scrutinized in Litigation

A series of lawsuits have challenged how plan sponsors have used plan forfeitures to reduce employer contributions. In this interview, Carol Buckmann discusses the issues

In Defense of the 401(k) Plan

Critics have called the 401(k) plan a “failed experiment” and maintain that it does not provide retirement security to low and middle income employees. Does the 401(k) plan really deserve a failing grade? Recent developments suggest otherwise.

Qualified Retirement Plan, SECURE 2.0Carol BuckmannMay 27, 2024401k

Who Owns Plan Forfeitures? New Cases Challenge IRS Guidance

401(k) sponsors routinely use forfeitures to reduce employer contributions. New lawsuits say this is an ERISA violation. Who will win?.

How Self-Auditing the Retirement Plan Prevents Compliance Issues Down the Line

The Department of Labor found many violations in retirement plan audits last year, likely because plan sponsors were not regularly self-auditing plan operations.

Firm News, Qualified Retirement PlanSandra CohenMay 9, 2024