Author Archives: admin

Why the USPS “Postmark” Rule Change Matters for Your Mail Deadlines

If you’re the kind of person who waits until April 15 to drop off your federal tax return in a blue mailbox, or who trusts a mailed check will always be dated the day you dropped it in the slot, … Continue reading

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DOL Backs JPMorgan in 401(k) Forfeiture Fight: What It Means for Plan Sponsors

If you’ve been paying attention to the growing wave of 401(k) forfeiture litigation, the Department of Labor’s latest move is a big deal — even if it didn’t come with fireworks and fanfare. In a recent development, the U.S. Department … Continue reading

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IRS Letter-Procedure Update for 2026: Bigger Fees, Electronic-First, and Beware of Refund Risks

If you ever thought IRS procedural updates were boring, buckle up — because the latest IRS guidance for 2026 determination letters, opinion letters, and private letter rulings actually matters. A lot. Especially if you live in the retirement-plan, ERISA, and … Continue reading

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You Don’t Have a Bad 401(k) — You Have a Bad Process

Most plan sponsors don’t wake up thinking, “Let’s mismanage the 401(k) today.” Yet bad outcomes happen all the time — excessive fees, underperforming investments, compliance failures, and, eventually, fiduciary exposure. In my experience, the problem usually isn’t the plan. It’s … Continue reading

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What I’d Fix First If I Took Over Your 401(k) Tomorrow

If I walked into your office tomorrow and you handed me responsibility for your 401(k), I wouldn’t start by changing investments, firing vendors, or chasing the latest industry trend. I’d start with the basics — because that’s where most plans … Continue reading

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Why Being “Good at What You Do” Isn’t Enough Anymore

For years, plan providers survived on a simple premise: do solid work, keep clients happy, and the business will come. That world doesn’t exist anymore. Being “good at what you do” is now table stakes. Every recordkeeper claims strong technology. … Continue reading

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When the Loudest Committee Member Is the Least Informed

Every plan sponsor committee has one. The loudest person in the room. The one with the strongest opinions. The one who “has experience” — usually from a prior employer, a cousin’s plan, or something they once read on LinkedIn. And … Continue reading

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401(k) Changes in 2026: What Every Saver and Sponsor Needs to Understand

Every year brings incremental changes to retirement plans, but 2026 is different. This isn’t just about higher contribution limits. It’s about a fundamental shift in how catch-up contributions are taxed — one that will directly affect higher-income workers and quietly … Continue reading

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The Quiet Disappearance of 401kHelpCenter.com

At some point, without much notice, 401kHelpCenter.com disappeared. No announcement. No farewell post. No “we’re shutting down” explanation. One day it was there — the next day it wasn’t. And that’s a shame, because it was one of the best … Continue reading

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Recordkeeper, TPA, Advisor: Who Owns the Mistake When Something Breaks?

When a retirement plan error surfaces, the first reaction is almost always the same: finger-pointing. The sponsor looks to the advisor. The advisor looks to the TPA. The TPA looks to the recordkeeper. And somewhere in the background, everyone is … Continue reading

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