Are All ESG Investments Imprudent? A Plaintiff Suing American Airlines Says Yes

ESG investments are a minefield in the current political environment. A new lawsuit filed against American Airlines and its fiduciaries tries to target all ESG investments as imprudent.

In the Room Where it Happened . . .

Take a peak in the room where it happened. Our partner Jeff Mamorsky describes the origins of ERISA, and his early career events.

Sandra CohenJune 6, 2023

The New Roth Catch-up Requirement Needs Clarification-What Are Plan Sponsors to Do?

A short provision of SECURE 2.0 raises a long list of compliance questions. Here are some of them.

Law 360 Article: Fiduciaries Must Revisit ERISA Origins

In this article published May 24, 2023 by Law360, ERISA attorney Jeff Mamorsky explores the history of ERISA and why the underpinnings of ERISA are more important than ever.

Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanJeff MamorskyMay 24, 2023

Cohen & Buckmann Expands; Adds Mamorsky and Moore to ERISA Team

Cohen & Buckmann’s ERISA and tax qualified plan offerings are expanded with the addition of prominent duo from Greenberg Traurig, Jeff Mamorsky and Terry Moore.

Firm News, Fiduciary Advice, Qualified Retirement PlanSandra CohenApril 29, 2023

Speaker's Corner: Negotiating Executive Contracts

Sandra Cohen to speak at PLI’s Cool Compensation conference April 27, 2023 in New York City

Sandra CohenApril 25, 2023

Avoiding ERISA Coverage for HSAs-What Are the Dos and Don'ts?

HSAs aren’t subject to ERISA if you follow the Department of Labor’s roadmap.

Welfare BenefitsCarol BuckmannApril 25, 2023HSAs, ERISA, planadministration

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.

Cohen & Buckmann's Guide to 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

Plan Committee Turnover Creates Risks

Plan committee turnover increases the likelihood of inadvertent errors. Inexperienced committee members may not make the best decisions. What can plan sponsors do?

Fiduciary AdviceSandra CohenFebruary 20, 2023plancommittee, greatresignation, plangoverance, fiduciaryeducation

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.

Carol Buckmann Contributes to Bloomberg Article on SECURE 2.0 and Plan Leakage

SECURE 2.0 directs the Department of Labor to establish a national participant lost & found database. While this is step forward in trying to unite former participants with their benefits, Carol explains why plan fiduciaries won’t be able to rely completely on this new tool.

Fiduciary Advice, SECURE 2.0Sandra CohenFebruary 5, 2023SECURE2.0, Lost&Found, lostandfound, missingparticipants