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18 results

April 15, 2025

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6 min read

Pension Risk Transfer Litigation Targets Multiply and Courts Finally Weigh In

Amid a recent resurgence in litigation targeting pension risk transfer (PRT) transactions, plan sponsors and fiduciaries should take extra care in selecting
annuity providers to ensure compliance with fiduciary duties. Read on for a summary of recent developments and insights.   
...Read more

March 4, 2025

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3 min read

DOL Announces New Self-Correction Component of Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program: What Plans and Sponsors Should Know

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced updates to the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP), which are set to take effect March
17, 2025. As an alternative to the more onerous VFCP Application Process, certain common plan errors will soon be eligible for a streamlined self-correction
process, known as the Self-Correction Component (SCC). In addition, the DOL amended the associated Prohibited Transaction Exemption, PTE 20...Read more
...Read more

August 4, 2023

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8 min read

Departments Release Proposed Mental Health Parity Regulations: Key Changes for Employers

On July 25, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (the Departments) released a Proposed Rule under the Mental Health
Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).
...Read more

February 4, 2022

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3 min read

Benefits Bulletin: Health & Welfare Plans – February 2022

The Benefits Bulletin provides timely and consistent updates on industry hot topics....Read more

February 2, 2022

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2 min read

DOL Letter Clarifies 2020 Letter on Private Equity in Defined Contribution Plans

In a June 2020 Information Letter, the Department of Labor opened the window slightly for defined contribution retirement plans to offer indirect investment
in private equity funds.
...Read more

November 10, 2021

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5 min read

The DOL’s Latest ESG and Proxy Voting Proposals

The Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued another set of proposed regulations seeking to address the perceived “artificial impediments” imposed by
its two sets of final regulations finalized in late 2020.
...Read more

April 9, 2021

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8 min read

DOL Issues Guidance on COBRA Subsidy Provision under the American Rescue Plan Act

On April 7, 2021, the Department of Labor (the DOL) issued guidance (the Guidance) and model notices and forms for the COBRA subsidy provision of the
American Rescue Plan Act (the Act). 
...Read more

February 18, 2021

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4 min read

Recent DOL Guidance on Missing Participants

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued three guidance documents addressing a plan fiduciary’s obligations when participants or beneficiaries do not
apply for retirement benefits because they cannot be located (or do not respond to critical plan communications). 
...Read more

March 12, 2020

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5 min read

Traps for the Unwary: Common Mistakes in Applying Compensation Definitions Under Retirement Plans

Most retirement plans calculate benefits on the basis of a participant’s pay or compensation. For example, in a profit-sharing plan, an employer typically
contributes a percentage of the employee’s pay each year, or, in a defined benefit pension plan, the employee’s benefit will be based on his or her final
average pay or career average pay.
...Read more

August 28, 2019

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less than 1 min read

New Guidance from the Department on USERRA

Recently, the United States Department of Labor (the Department) published a Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994
(USERRA) fact sheet called the USERRA Fact Sheet 1. 
...Read more

August 19, 2019

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1 min read

Department of Labor Issues Updated CHIP Notice

Earlier this month, the Department of Labor (Department) issued an updated model notice for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)....Read more

May 16, 2019

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2 min read

Department of Labor Announces Statement of Temporary Non-Enforcement Following AHP Ruling

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) has released a policy statement and a Questions and Answers – Part Two (FAQ) in reaction to the district court
for the District of Columbia’s ruling in State of New York v. U.S. DOL of Labor, which vacated a key part of the Department’s final regulations expanding the
availability of association health plans (AHPs).
...Read more

March 1, 2019

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2 min read

DOL Enforcement Initiative: The Law on Benefit Plan Expenses

Questions constantly arise as to whether certain expenses incurred by an employee benefit plan can be paid from the assets of the plan or by the plan
sponsor. Expenses incurred by an employee benefit plan fall into two broad categories: settlor expenses and fiduciary expenses. Fiduciary expenses can be
paid from plan assets; however, settlor expenses cannot be paid from plan assets. Improperly paying expenses with plan assets could constitute ...Read more
...Read more

February 14, 2019

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2 min read

Department of Labor Reaffirms ERISA Preemption of State Wage Withholding Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently made available an information letter that confirms general preemption under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), of state civil laws that require employers to obtain written consent before withholding amounts from employees’
wages for contribution to a benefit plan subject to ERISA. 
...Read more

August 31, 2018

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1 min read

DOL Issues Association Health Plan Compliance Assistance

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an ERISA compliance assistance bulletin for Association Health Plans (AHPs). The guidance highlights the
various rules that apply under ERISA for managing and operating a group health plan.
...Read more

March 26, 2018

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less than 1 min read

DOL’s Fiduciary Rule Remains in Limbo

On March 23, 2018, the National Association for Fixed Annuities and the U.S. Department of Labor (the “Department”) and Secretary of Labor R. Alexander
Acosta, in Case No. 16-5345, an ongoing legal challenge to the Department’s fiduciary rule, have stipulated and agreed to voluntarily dismiss the case. 
...Read more

December 17, 2013

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1 min read

Can Employers Prevent ERISA Class Action Suits?

December 11, 2013

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2 min read

Best Practices for ERISA Plan Revenue-Sharing Account Arrangements

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Benefits Blast provides timely updates, alerts, and reminders on a full spectrum of employee benefits-related topics.

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