Category Archives: Retirement Plans

IRS should clarify the merged MEP/PEP automatic enrollment rule

The rules are the rules and I believe that rules should be consistent and rational. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) disagrees with that notion when it comes to automatic enrollment and merged plans into MEPs and PEPs. SECURE 2.0 requires … Continue reading

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2023 Account Balances were up

Bank of America’s research found that 401(k) account balances rose 15% to an average of $86,280 in 2023 because of higher contributions and a strong stock market. Bank of America’s Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions conducted their research information on … Continue reading

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DOL gets TRO against TPA

The Department of Labor was issued an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against RiversEdge Advanced Retirement Solutions LLC, and owner Paul Palguta. According to the DOL, RiversEdge is a … Continue reading

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4 large plans add matching benefit for student loans

According to PlanSponsor, LVMH, News Corp., Sephora and Walt Disney Co. are among the large employers, that have tapped Fidelity to offer their 401(k) plan participants a student loan debt repayment matching benefit. This is no surprise. Large employers can … Continue reading

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Bitcoin ETFs in 401(k) plans is a matter of when

As I write this, the greatest investment I’ve ever owned, Bitcoin is over $65,000 a coin. Until the Department of Labor (DOL) says yes, it has no space in a 401(k) plan. The DOL’s reservations and concerns are clear, but … Continue reading

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Revised DOL VFCP program to be announced soon

The Department of Labor (DOL) should be finalizing its proposed update to the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program in “the next few months,” according to a representative of the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA). The DOL previously proposed last fall, to … Continue reading

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401(k) dangers? It doesn’t have to be this way

Thalidomide was supposed to be the wonder drug that helped women manage morning sickness until they discovered it caused birth defects. Asbestos was supposed to be the ultimate fire-resistant material that was later found to cause mesothelioma when produced or … Continue reading

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Buying a business? What is with the 401(k) plan?

If you own a business, expanding by buying a competitor goes a long way. Mergers and acquisitions are a huge part of growing a business. The problem with corporate transactions is dealing with the retirement plan for the company you’re … Continue reading

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Fiduciary Liability Insurance is really worth it

The warranty in the electronics business is gravy for the retailers who sell it. You’ll be surprised how many people pay $20 to get a warranty on a $100 Blu-Ray player. When Best Buy was going national, they advertised how … Continue reading

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The audit isn’t as random as you think

A small plan received an audit inquiry from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Upon further review, it appears that the plan didn’t have an ERISA bond and admitted under penalties of perjury, that they didn’t. I assure you that the … Continue reading

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