SECURE 2.0 Creates Life Preservers for Plan Participants in Crisis

Plan sponsors who want to help participants facing personal emergencies have many new options under SECURE 2.0.

Here is a reference guide on the most comprehensive pension reform legislation since the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

SECURE 2.0, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannFebruary 23, 2023secureact, compliance, pensionreform

Special Rules for Special Plans-How SECURE 2.0 Impacts 403(b) Plans, MEPs and ESOPs

SECURE 2.0’s general changes apply to 403(b) plans, MEPs and ESOPs. However, there are also specific provisions targeted at these specialized plans and intended to solve their unique problems.

SECURE 2.0, Qualified Retirement Plan, SECURE ActCarol BuckmannFebruary 15, 2023SECURE Act, ESOP, MEP, PEP, 403(b)

How SECURE 2.0 Helps Employees Save for Non-Retirement Needs

SECURE 2.0 gives plan sponsors new tools to help participants with emergency needs and student debt.

SECURE 2.0 – Defined Contribution Plan and IRA Distributions Reconsidered

SECURE 2.0 contains big changes to the required minimum distribution rules, including changes that could encourage annuitization of 401(k) plan benefits. Here are the important takeaways.

PLANSPONSOR Magazine Features Carol Buckmann's Advice on Compliance Reviews

Plan compliance reviews help manage audit and litigation risk.

Qualified Retirement PlanSandra CohenJanuary 30, 2023compliancereview, riskprotection, audits

SECURE 2.0 Creates New Opportunities for IRAs, SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs

Several provisions of SECURE 2.0 ease penalties for IRA violations and provide new options for employers sponsoring SIMPLE-IRAs and SEPs.

SECURE 2.0 Impacts Defined Benefit Plans, Too--Tracking the Changes

SECURE 2.0 doesn’t impact only 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. Here are the big changes that affect defined benefit plans.

What to Keep on Your Radar and Some Predictions for 2023

There were many important developments affecting plan sponsors and benefits professionals in 2022, and there is reason to expect more in 2023. Here is what to keep on your radar.

SECURE 2.0 Is Finally Passed with Gifts for Everyone

SECURE 2.0 takes aim at the retirement savings gap and contains major changes affecting all types of plans. Some of them are effective in 2023. Here are some key takeaways.

The Pendulum Swings Back: Final ESG Regulations Give Fiduciaries More Flexibility

New regulations make ESG investing easier, but can’t close the political divide.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanCarol BuckmannDecember 19, 2022ESG, fiduciaryresponsibility

Is Cryptocurrency Too Risky for 401(k) Plans? The Controversy Continues

Several new developments mean that the debate over whether cryptocurrency belongs in retirement plans isn’t going away.

In the News-Carol Buckmann Quoted on Need for Cybersecurity Liability Standards

Carol tells Bloomberg Law why we need more guidance on liability when participant benefits are stolen by internet thieves.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanSandra CohenAugust 19, 2022cybersecurity, 401k, pensions

Good News for Plan Sponsors! IRS Extends SECURE, CARES Act Amendments Deadline.

The IRS has extended the deadline for finalizing qualified plan amendments, although plan sponsors might want to amend their plans sooner rather than later. Attorney Ben Josselsohn explains why.

Qualified Retirement Plan, SECURE ActBen JosselsohnAugust 5, 2022