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Industry & Regulatory News

Understanding the CARES Act: Expanded Health and Dependent Care Options

Understanding the CARES Act: Expanded Health and Dependent Care Options

July 16 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Washington Pulse: The DOL’s New Proposal to Regulate Investment Advice

Few aspects of retirement plan governance have been as controversial as regulating investment advice. Exactly what obligation—if any—does an investment professional have to provide impartial, conflict-free advice to savers and retirees?  When do financial professionals step over the boundary that can make them a fiduciary, with the ethical and legal obligations that come with this duty?

July 10 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

State of Savings: June 2020

Our proprietary data reveals how Americans changed their savings behaviors over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak as business and travel restrictions disrupted the U.S. economy. These insights serve as an early baseline for the evolution of savings plan contribution and withdrawal behaviors in response to the pandemic and subsequent passage of the CARES Act. We expect to see new trends emerge as financial markets continue to rebound and stabilize and as states across the nation gradually reopen their economies.

June 26 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

More Details on CARES Act Eligibility and Plan Loan Guidance

The retirement industry eagerly received the IRS guidance on applying provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with the issuance of Notice 2020-50 on June 19. It has provided important details on compliance with this legislation—which offers financial and tax relief to millions of Americans affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

June 24 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

DOL Seeks Comments for Future PEP/MEP Guidance with Request-for-Information

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has released a pre-publication version of a request-for-information (RFI) seeking public comments on issues pertinent to pooled employer plans (PEPs) and multiple employer plan (MEPs).

June 17 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Paycheck Protection Program Revised Interim Final Rule Issued

Scheduled for publication in next Tuesday’s Federal Register is a Small Business Administration (SBA) interim final rule on the agency’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This guidance is being issued in response to enactment on June 5 of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, legislation that made enhancements to this SBA loan program intended to help small employers meet payroll and other expenses as they deal with the economic effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

June 12 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Understanding the CARES Act: Contribution Deadline and Defined Benefit Funding Relief

Understanding the CARES Act: Contribution Deadline and Defined Benefit Funding Relief

June 08 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

President Signs Paycheck Protection Program Extension Legislation

President Trump signed into law Friday, June 5, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, legislation that the Senate approved Wednesday night. The legislation extends elements of and makes certain other adjustments to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This Small Business Administration lending program was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to help small employers meet payroll and other expenses as businesses and the nation deal with the economic effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

June 05 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Relief for Certain Retirement Plan Consent Requirements

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today issued Notice 2020-42, in which the IRS provides temporary relief from the physical presence requirements for certain elections that are made by participants and beneficiaries in qualified retirement plans and other tax-favored retirement arrangements. This includes signatures of those making an election that ordinarily would need to be witnessed in the physical presence of a plan representative or notary public, including spousal consent and certain forms of distribution from retirement plans.

June 05 2020

Industry & Regulatory News

Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program Extension, Legislation Awaits President’s Signature

On Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate approved by voice vote H.R. 7010, the House-passed Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. The legislation extends elements of and makes certain other adjustments to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This Small Business Administration lending program was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, to help small employers meet payroll and other expenses as businesses and the nation deal with the economic effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

June 04 2020