Monthly Archives: September 2011

It’s All About Competent Plan Administration

While I know my discussions about payroll provider and bundled third party administration firms (TPAs) have hit nerves (especially those that work for those firms). We can all debate whether there is a link between running payroll and running 401(k) … Continue reading

Posted in 401(k) Plans, Retirement Plans | 2 Comments

401(k) Participant Guidance: Half Empty and Half Full

Aon (proud sponsors of my Manchester United) and Financial Engines released a report on 401(k) participants and the use of financial help in their plan.  The study found that workers who used financial help between 2006 and 2010 experienced annual … Continue reading

Posted in 401(k) Plans, Retirement Plans | 1 Comment

Safe Harbor 401(k) Deadline Looms for Small Business

My comments on Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are included in a Business News Daily article, which can be found here.

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The ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) Gold Rush

We all remember the story of the California Gold Rush when gold was discovered in Sutter’s Mill in 1848. This discovery spurred the Forty Niners (not the Joe Montana-Roger Craig (special thanks to Lawrence Taylor for stripping the ball Craig … Continue reading

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Why You Should Avoid Using Your Payroll Provider as Your 401(k) Provider

My latest JDsupra.com article can be found here.

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Plan “Symptoms” that it’s time for a Review

As many of you know, I offer a Retirement Plan Tune-Up, a legal review for $750 that reviews the documentation, administration, costs, and the fiduciary process of a retirement plan. Regardless of whether you would use my review or hire … Continue reading

Posted in 401(k) Plans, Retirement Plans | 1 Comment

Retirement Plan Answers for Questions Many Ask

As an ERISA attorney, I always have an open phone policy with plan sponsors, financial advisors, accountants, TPAs, and other attorneys from around the country on questions they may have about their plan or a client’s retirement plan. I never … Continue reading

Posted in 401(k) Plans, Retirement Plans | 3 Comments

The DOL blinks on the Fiduciary Rule… for now

Ariel Sharon was one the most polarizing and most loved political and military figures in Israeli history. One of his confidantes, the Israeli journalist Uri Dan summed it up best. Dan said that the Israelis that did not want Sharon … Continue reading

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Hidden Dangers Of A Retirement Plan That A Plan Sponsor Needs To Prevent

My latest JDSupra.com article can be found here.

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Small 401(k) Plan Litigation and the Nuisance Value

When I write about the needs for plan sponsors to understand their responsibilities as plan fiduciaries and their potential liability if they ignore their duties, I hear the same complaints about my ideas. The complaint which was even leveled by … Continue reading

Posted in 401(k) Plans, Retirement Plans | 1 Comment