TriStar Pension Consulting presents changes to Retirement plans like 401(k)'s in the year 2015 along with pending legislation. Find out what is happening in Washington and how it will affect your Retirement Plan.
High Net Worth Webinar Series - Estate Planning Strategies and UpdatesCitrin Cooperman
There’s much uncertainty in the world of estate planning for high net worth individuals and their families. With numerous legislative proposals that would drastically alter the current estate planning landscape, listen in as our Trust and Estate Services Practice team discusses: various proposals, including those in Congress and the Biden Administration’s Green Book, estate and gift planning strategies for the remainder of tax year 2021, and more.
CARES Act Update - What you Need to Know Heading into 2021Citrin Cooperman
During this webinar we focused on the interplay between the different CARES Act provisions, in particular PPP loans, Provider Relief Funds, and Medicare Advanced Payments, and how they may impact 2020 year-end planning and 2021 forecasting.
In this podcast, Bob Keebler covers Revenue Procedure 2014-18, which provides a simplified method for certain taxpayers to obtain an extension of time to make a portability election. Rev. Proc. 2014-18 provides an automatic extension for certain estates of decedents dying in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to elect portability. The extension applies to estates that would otherwise not have had a filing requirement, and allows the estates to file a return to elect portability until December 31. It includes the estates of same-sex decedents who were not eligible to elect portability until after the Windsor decision. Access more resources in the Planning After ATRA and NIIT Toolkit, including more podcasts, new charts by Bob Keebler as well as webcast recordings and Forefield Advisor alerts/videos, and the complete four-volume set of The CPA’s Guide to Financial & Estate Planning, recently updated for ATRA and NIIT, and much more.
Proactive Year-end Financial and Tax Planning StrategiesAICPA
In the third webcast in the AICPA Insights Live webcast series, Beth Gamel, CPA/PFS, Robert S. Keebler, CPA, Ted Sarenski, CPA/PFS and Scott Sprinkle, CPA/PFS, CGMA came together to discuss year-end financial and tax planning strategies, specifically to address the American Taxpayer Relief Act and the Net Investment Income Tax. Below you can find an audio recording from the webcast, as well as the accompanying presentation. Be sure to explore the other webcasts in the AICPA Insights Live webcast series.
High Net Worth Webinar Series - Estate Planning Strategies and UpdatesCitrin Cooperman
There’s much uncertainty in the world of estate planning for high net worth individuals and their families. With numerous legislative proposals that would drastically alter the current estate planning landscape, listen in as our Trust and Estate Services Practice team discusses: various proposals, including those in Congress and the Biden Administration’s Green Book, estate and gift planning strategies for the remainder of tax year 2021, and more.
CARES Act Update - What you Need to Know Heading into 2021Citrin Cooperman
During this webinar we focused on the interplay between the different CARES Act provisions, in particular PPP loans, Provider Relief Funds, and Medicare Advanced Payments, and how they may impact 2020 year-end planning and 2021 forecasting.
In this podcast, Bob Keebler covers Revenue Procedure 2014-18, which provides a simplified method for certain taxpayers to obtain an extension of time to make a portability election. Rev. Proc. 2014-18 provides an automatic extension for certain estates of decedents dying in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to elect portability. The extension applies to estates that would otherwise not have had a filing requirement, and allows the estates to file a return to elect portability until December 31. It includes the estates of same-sex decedents who were not eligible to elect portability until after the Windsor decision. Access more resources in the Planning After ATRA and NIIT Toolkit, including more podcasts, new charts by Bob Keebler as well as webcast recordings and Forefield Advisor alerts/videos, and the complete four-volume set of The CPA’s Guide to Financial & Estate Planning, recently updated for ATRA and NIIT, and much more.
Proactive Year-end Financial and Tax Planning StrategiesAICPA
In the third webcast in the AICPA Insights Live webcast series, Beth Gamel, CPA/PFS, Robert S. Keebler, CPA, Ted Sarenski, CPA/PFS and Scott Sprinkle, CPA/PFS, CGMA came together to discuss year-end financial and tax planning strategies, specifically to address the American Taxpayer Relief Act and the Net Investment Income Tax. Below you can find an audio recording from the webcast, as well as the accompanying presentation. Be sure to explore the other webcasts in the AICPA Insights Live webcast series.
In this webinar, CARES Act Funding and Single Audit Update, Withum’s Devin Desmond and Jennifer Stewart discuss recent developments related to Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in addition to revisions to Uniform Guidance and Single Audit implications. Viewers are able to identify recent developments related to CARES Act funding and better understand revisions to Uniform Guidance and impact on Single Audits.
In June 2015, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) approved two new statements that call for more prominence and accuracy when displaying Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) liabilities, such as health insurance for retirees. This webinar will focus on the changes coming to the industry -- from implementing these statements, to strategies for explaining these changes to media and taxpayers.
2020 Year-End Tax Planning for Law Firms and AttorneysWithum
Tax planning can be a difficult strategic process; this tax planning season is further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the uncertainties surrounding the Presidential Election. This session will shed light on a number of significant considerations regarding NJ BAIT, nexus issues related to remote working, and PPP loan forgiveness as it relates to general high net worth planning.
PPP Loan Forgiveness and Tax Considerations For the Construction IndustryWithum
Withum’s Construction Services Team is partnered up with New Jersey Subcontractors Association and New Jersey Land Improvement Contractors of America to host a forum regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness and Tax Considerations for the Construction Industry.
The purpose of Roth IRA conversions as it relates to NIIT is to lower modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below the threshold amount over the long-term. Some benefits of Roth conversions include lower overall taxable income, tax-free compounding, no required minimum distributions at age 70 ½, tax-free withdrawals for beneficiaries, and more effective funding of the “bypass trust”. Converting to a Roth IRA creates opportunities to reduce the overall size of the estate and to take advantage of greater tax-free yields and favorable tax attributes. Bob Keebler walks you through the mathematics of conversion through examples, tactical considerations, and a four-step process for Roth conversion planning.
Single Audit Webinar Presentation - November 6, 2015Sikich LLP
In late 2013, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced comprehensive grant reform rules titled “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).”
The new Uniform Guidance that is effective for years ending on or after December 26, 2014 have replaced the audit and reporting requirements under the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. No early implementation is permitted.
The most well known change the Uniform Guidance implemented was the increase in the Single Audit threshold from $500,000 to $750,000, however, there are many other changes that will impact the amount of Single Audit testing and reporting which affect both the auditee and auditor.
C-Suite Snacks Webinar Series: There’s No Vaccine for This - State and Local ...Citrin Cooperman
Sign up for our weekly C-Suite Snacks webinars here: https://www.citrincooperman.com/infocus/c-suite-snacks
Our C-Suite Snacks webinar series provides the middle market with brief, strategic, and tactical business improvement information for 30 minutes every week. Join Citrin Cooperman live every Thursday at noon for snack-sized insights for business executives.
The pandemic has affected everything in our lives, all the way down to how we run our businesses and our personal finances. In this session, State and Local Tax Partner Eugene Ruvere covered business and personal income tax considerations connected to the pandemic.
The legislative landscape in which retirement plans must operate is constantly evolving to meet the need for an appropriate level of industry regulation. Legislative and regulatory activity during 2013 to date has created numerous opportunities and challenges that retirement plan sponsors must address. In this program, Erik Daley, CFA, will provide an overview of this year's legislative and regulatory developments and focus on practical, consultative tips on how they might apply to your retirement plan.
COVID-19: The Impact on Retirement PlansCBIZ, Inc.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the stock market and organizations around the world, we understand that you have concerns about how recent market fluctuations may affect your retirement plan. What you should know is that there are options you may have to minimize these effects on your business and your employees. We’ve developed a summary of these complex issues in this whitepaper. You will learn about:
- Impacts to both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans
- Potential options for your organization to minimize negative effects on your business and your employees
- Legislative updates from the CARES Act
- Important considerations and actions to take next
In this webinar, CARES Act Funding and Single Audit Update, Withum’s Devin Desmond and Jennifer Stewart discuss recent developments related to Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding in addition to revisions to Uniform Guidance and Single Audit implications. Viewers are able to identify recent developments related to CARES Act funding and better understand revisions to Uniform Guidance and impact on Single Audits.
In June 2015, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) approved two new statements that call for more prominence and accuracy when displaying Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) liabilities, such as health insurance for retirees. This webinar will focus on the changes coming to the industry -- from implementing these statements, to strategies for explaining these changes to media and taxpayers.
2020 Year-End Tax Planning for Law Firms and AttorneysWithum
Tax planning can be a difficult strategic process; this tax planning season is further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the uncertainties surrounding the Presidential Election. This session will shed light on a number of significant considerations regarding NJ BAIT, nexus issues related to remote working, and PPP loan forgiveness as it relates to general high net worth planning.
PPP Loan Forgiveness and Tax Considerations For the Construction IndustryWithum
Withum’s Construction Services Team is partnered up with New Jersey Subcontractors Association and New Jersey Land Improvement Contractors of America to host a forum regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness and Tax Considerations for the Construction Industry.
The purpose of Roth IRA conversions as it relates to NIIT is to lower modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below the threshold amount over the long-term. Some benefits of Roth conversions include lower overall taxable income, tax-free compounding, no required minimum distributions at age 70 ½, tax-free withdrawals for beneficiaries, and more effective funding of the “bypass trust”. Converting to a Roth IRA creates opportunities to reduce the overall size of the estate and to take advantage of greater tax-free yields and favorable tax attributes. Bob Keebler walks you through the mathematics of conversion through examples, tactical considerations, and a four-step process for Roth conversion planning.
Single Audit Webinar Presentation - November 6, 2015Sikich LLP
In late 2013, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced comprehensive grant reform rules titled “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).”
The new Uniform Guidance that is effective for years ending on or after December 26, 2014 have replaced the audit and reporting requirements under the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133. No early implementation is permitted.
The most well known change the Uniform Guidance implemented was the increase in the Single Audit threshold from $500,000 to $750,000, however, there are many other changes that will impact the amount of Single Audit testing and reporting which affect both the auditee and auditor.
C-Suite Snacks Webinar Series: There’s No Vaccine for This - State and Local ...Citrin Cooperman
Sign up for our weekly C-Suite Snacks webinars here: https://www.citrincooperman.com/infocus/c-suite-snacks
Our C-Suite Snacks webinar series provides the middle market with brief, strategic, and tactical business improvement information for 30 minutes every week. Join Citrin Cooperman live every Thursday at noon for snack-sized insights for business executives.
The pandemic has affected everything in our lives, all the way down to how we run our businesses and our personal finances. In this session, State and Local Tax Partner Eugene Ruvere covered business and personal income tax considerations connected to the pandemic.
The legislative landscape in which retirement plans must operate is constantly evolving to meet the need for an appropriate level of industry regulation. Legislative and regulatory activity during 2013 to date has created numerous opportunities and challenges that retirement plan sponsors must address. In this program, Erik Daley, CFA, will provide an overview of this year's legislative and regulatory developments and focus on practical, consultative tips on how they might apply to your retirement plan.
COVID-19: The Impact on Retirement PlansCBIZ, Inc.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the stock market and organizations around the world, we understand that you have concerns about how recent market fluctuations may affect your retirement plan. What you should know is that there are options you may have to minimize these effects on your business and your employees. We’ve developed a summary of these complex issues in this whitepaper. You will learn about:
- Impacts to both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans
- Potential options for your organization to minimize negative effects on your business and your employees
- Legislative updates from the CARES Act
- Important considerations and actions to take next
PPP Loan Forgiveness and Tax Considerations for the Construction IndustryWithum
Join Withum and CFMA South Jersey Chapter for the latest update on PPP loan forgiveness for the construction industry.
As the SBA continues to release guidance, many questions remain surrounding PPP Loan forgiveness. Presented by Withum’s Daniel Mayo, National Lead, Federal Tax Policy, Frank Boutillette, CPA, CGMA, Ron Martino, CPA, CCIFP, Joe O’Drain , CPA and Kim Hullfish, CCIFP, MBA, CRIS, Controller at C. Abbonizio Contractors Inc. and CFMA South Jersey Chapter Board Member. This webinar will provide guidance on PPP Loan Forgiveness and how you can prepare your construction organization for maximum forgiveness.
Attendees will be able to:
-Interpret the updated PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Forms by the SBA (Standard and EZ applications)
- Assess corporate tax provisions of the CARES act
- Identify Accounting/GAAP treatment of PPP loan forgiveness on year-end financial statements
Health FSA "Use-or-Lose" Rule DisappearsInfinisource
On October 31, 2013 the Department of Treasury modified the longstanding Health FSA Use-or-Lose Rule to allow carryover of FSA funds from one plan year to the next plan year at the employer's discretion. Find out more about this change with this iGuide.
Guidance was recently issues that modified the Health FSA Use-or-Lose Rule to allow carryover of FSA funds from one plan year to the next plan year - at an employer's discretion. What does this mean?
CBIZ Manufacturing & Distribution Quarterly Newsletter - Feb 2020CBIZ, Inc.
Timely articles on topics of interest to manufacturers and distributors including - the expansive SECURE Act (retirement legislation), Benefits Renewal (six questions to ask), Risk (rethinking your profile for the new decade), the Hardening Insurance Market (what to expect, how to prepare) and the NAM Talks Trade - plus quick links to complimentary guides and webinars.
Action Steps for Your Employee Benefits Plan During the Coronavirus PandemicQuarles & Brady
With the enactment of two new Coronavirus-related laws, plan sponsors of retirement, health and welfare plans have several "must-do" items to consider, along with several "optional" items. Join us for this informative webinar where we will discuss the different legal considerations plan sponsors and service providers (such as third party administrators, insurance brokers and pharmacy benefit mangers) should consider for their retirement, health and welfare plans.
We will discuss:
-What coronavirus testing must be covered by health plans
Important changes to "over the counter" drugs and medicine
-Addressing layoffs and furloughs, and how to survive the benefit costs
-Best practices for distribution and loan options for those who have been affected
-Delaying, repaying and fixing 2020 required minimum distributions
-How to treat paid leave under your retirement plans
Common 401(k) Plan Operational DeficienciesSkoda Minotti
This presentation covers some of the most common 401(k) plan deficiencies and errors and how plan sponsors can go about correcting these issues before they escalate.
Congrats on surviving this year of multiple changes in the Employee Benefits industry. With more legal changes anticipated in 2020, we want to help you not only review your compliance readiness for the recently implemented laws, but help you and your team build a solid 2020 Watchlist for the new year.
Both focusing on 2019 year-end and looking ahead to 2020, this webinar will cover:
Multiple-employer plans -- What new guidance means for your business
New correction options under the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, plus the most common 2019 plan errors we saw and how to fix them
Hardship distributions and participant loans -- Imminent deadlines for amendments and updated tips
New health reimbursement options -- How useful are they?
How to treat coupons used by plan participants to help pay for prescription drugs
New Medicare Secondary Payer reporting rules apply January 2020 -- What should you do?
Michael Silver & Company CPAs recently published an article on retirement plans for businesses. Whether you have a small, independent business or a large company, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages for each plan available.
Michael Silver & Company CPAs has recently published an article on the benefits of retirement plans. Whether you have a small, independent business or a large company, we describe the advantages and disadvantages of each possible plan for each possible business.
Why Are Retirement Plans Such a Great Opportunity?
2015 Retirement Plan Updates
1.
2. • Regulatory + Legislative Updates
• What’s Happening in Retirement Plan Designs
• Pending Legislation
• Fiduciary Responsibilities
3.
4. UPDATE: American
Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
In-Plan Roth Rollovers (IRAs)-
Prior to ATRA, a participant was
required to have a distributable
event.
Starting in 2013, no distributable
event is necessary to make such a
taxable conversion (however your
plan must allow for it).
5. Jan. 2015 begins the “One-Per-
Year” IRA Rollover Limit
Aggregate ALL IRA’s and treat them as one
One-Rollover-Per-Year means per 12
month period not per calendar year
Rollover from a traditional IRA to a Roth
IRA is not subject to the one-rollover-per-
year rule
Doesn’t apply to a rollover to or from a
qualified plan
Doesn’t apply to trustee-to-trustee
transfers
7. MyRA
Obama’s 2014 State of the Union
Address introduces new IRA backed by
treasury bonds (executive order)
Treasury created it, and it takes little
time to set up with an investment
partner (MyRa.Treasury.Gov)
Must be a Roth IRA and funded
through payroll deductions
No risk of losing money
8. MyRA
Household income for single persons
must be less than $129,000 and for
couples must be under $191,000
$5,500/$6,500 Max. Annual
Contribution
At $15,000 or 30 years must be rolled
over to a private sector Roth IRA
Free account and after tax automatic
payroll deductions as low as $5
Rate of Return less than inflation
9.
10. MyRA
PROS
Low balance to start $25
Direct Deposit Contributions
No minimum contribution
Free (no startup cost or fees)
Not subject to ERISA
11. MyRA
CONS
Low Earnings, (average return over the
last 10 years is 3.39%)
Invested in government bonds
$15,000 Limit
Employer must agree to cooperate
Payroll burden for employer
Is something better than nothing?
Once people start saving will they begin
to save even more?
12. New Form 5500
Requirements for MEPs
CSEC Cooperative Small Employer
Charity Pension Flexibility Act of 2014
Will require new reporting by Multiple
Employer Plans subject to ERISA
Requires an attachment of:
List of participating employers
A good faith estimate of the % of
total contributions
13. DOMA
U.S. v. Windsor
Found section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional
Did not deal with the issue of “full faith and credit”
i.e. the recognition of marriage performed legally in
one state by another state that does not recognize
same-sex marriages
IRS adopted state of celebration as the rule in Rev.
Rul. 2013-17 which became effective in September
2013
Employers in states that don’t recognize same-sex
marriages must treat same-sex couples as married
with respect to their company-sponsored
retirement plans
14. DOMA’s Effect on Retirement
Plans
If a plan sponsor has a participant
who was married in a state that allows
for same-sex marriage then the plan
sponsor must also recognize the
marriage for plan purposes
Beneficiary Designations
QDRO Qualified Domestic Relations
Orders (how do we know?)
Testing for HCE and Key Employees
15. DOMA-What Do Plan Sponsors
Do?
Check the plan document
Plan documents that directly contradict this
rule i.e. “marriage means between one man
and one woman” needed to be amended by
December 31, 2014
Ambiguous plan documents don’t need to be
amended
Plan sponsors don’t need to notify
participants
Good time to update beneficiary forms
16. Restatements-Happening
Now!
Restatements occur every 5-6 years
depending on the plan document used
The plan document is completely re-written
to integrate new legislation
Great time to amend the plan for
discretionary changes
PPA Preapproved Plan Document
Restatement deadline April 30, 2016
Missed deadlines=disqualified plans
18. PPA Restatement, What’s new?
Will Permanently include:
Final 415 regulations
PPA Pension Protection Act of 2006
HEART Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief
Tax Act
WRERA Worker, Retiree, and Employer
Recovery Act
KETRA Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of
2005
GULF Opportunity Zone Act of 2005
Documents are based on IRS’s 2010
Cumulative List of Changes
19. Defined Benefit Plans
Extended Deadline for Preapproved
DB Plans
For opinion & advisory letter applications
From 1/31/14 to 06/30/2015
Delays 6 year cycle for preapproved DB
plans
Cash Balance Plans Permitted in
Prototypes & Volume Submitter
Documents
Will also allow preapproved ESOPs
Review will be based on 2012
Cumulative List
20.
21. New Emphasis on “internal controls”
Procedures, policies, systems, computer
programs, activities of the plan administrator and
plan sponsor that ensure compliance
Plans with proper internal controls are better
administered
Rev Rul. 2014-9 Plan to Plan Rollover
Safe Harbor (relaxed rules; Code 3C)
Watch out for RMDs
Rev Proc. 2014-32: 5500-EZ Late Filing
(pilot program that ends June 2, 2015)
What’s New at the IRS
22. Notice 2014-35: IRS Relief for late-filed
8955-SSA
Final Regs. issued for DC plans, 403(b),
governmental 457(b) plans, and IRAs in
regards to Qualified Longevity Annuity
Contracts (QLACs)
Notice 2014-54 Changed longstanding
rules giving rise to a lot of interest in
voluntary after tax contributions
What’s New at the IRS
23. The DOL is concerned that the required
408(b)(2) notice is too long and no one
understands it
The DOL is considering requiring a “guide” or
table of contents with page numbers and
weblinks
The DOL is starting a list of service providers
in the industry who have a history of
misconduct (Fiduciary Offender List)
FAB 2014-1 changed the lost participant
standards (IRS & SSA locator services no
longer available)
DOL is still looking at Brokerage Windows
very closely
What is the DOL up to these
days?
24. IRS Issues
Guidance on the use of forfeitures to
reduce Safe Harbor Contributions
Guidance on mid-year amendments to
Safe Harbor Plans
Terminating Plan – PPA Amendments
Document record Retention (forever)
Self Correcting Participant Loan
Failures
What do we need from the IRS
& DOL?
25. DOL Issues
Self correction for late deferrals (can we
use the DOL calculator)
Brokerage Windows in Self Directed Plans
(fiduciary duties; rights and benefits)
Electronic Disclosures (different rules
than IRS; opt in; check valid email)
Benefits Statements(PPA 2006): will
require projections
Windsor Decision (retroactivity? Lawsuits
have started – Bayer denies pension
benefits to gay widower in 2008)
What do we need from the IRS
& DOL?
27. Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans
Great for plans who fail testing
Free Pass on ADP/ACP* and
potentially on Top Heavy Testing
HCEs can defer more
Mandatory Contribution
Full vesting of mandatory
contribution
28. SH 401(k) Mandatory
Contributions
3% non-elective contribution or;
Employee not required to defer
Approximately 4% matching contribution or;
100% match on first 3% contributed by employee
50% match on the next 2% contributed by
employee
Alternatives to minimums
Enhanced matching contribution
100% match of first 4% contributed (minimum 4%)
100% match of first 6% contributed (maximum to
forgo ACP)
Limited to matching deferrals up to 6% but can
match at any amount even more than 100%
30. Before SH
Participant Comp 401(k)
Deferral
% Req. Refund Top Heavy
Contribution
Owner $200,000 17,000 8.5% $11,000 $0
Frank $50,000 $1,500 3.0% $0 $1,500
Dan $30,000 $0 0% $0 $900
TOTAL EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION $2,400
Participant Comp 401(k)
Deferral
% Req. Refund Matching
Contribution
Owner $200,000 17,000 8.5% $0 $8,000
Frank $50,000 $1,500 3.0% $0 $1,500
Dan $30,000 $0 0% $0 $0
TOTAL EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION $9,500 with 84.21% going to owner
With SH
*Owner has to make top heavy contribution even to those not participating in
the plan + refund his excess contributions.
31. Safe Harbor Plans
Exiting a Safe Harbor contribution
mid-year allowed only if:
The employer is operating at a loss for the
plan year, or
The safe harbor notice includes a “maybe
not” notice
Retroactively effective May 19,2009
SH notice must be given to employees
30-90 days before plan year begins
Deadline to establish a new plan is 3
months before the end of the plan year
(October 1st for a calendar year plan)
32. Automatic Contributions &
Auto Increase
Becoming more and more popular
Washington really likes them
Auto Increase and QDIA puts them on
automatic pilot for the participant
Vendors are making it easier on plan
sponsors
Can be Safe Harbor or Non and if Non
can get special deadline for testing
refunds if needed
33. Cash Balance Plans
A defined benefit plan that looks like a
DC plan in many ways
“Theoretical” account balance
Calculated by actuary
Plan assets are pooled + trustee
directed
If the trust performs better than predicted,
the required contribution decreases
If the trust performs worse than predicted,
required contribution increases over time
34. Cash Balance Plans
Higher Limits than a DC plan
$210,000
Larger tax deductions
Flexible Plan Design
Used in conjunction with a DC plan for
even higher limits
$263,000
No investment decisions
Employer funds account each year
Covered by PBGC
Easy for employees to understand
I’m giving you $5,000 V.S. I’m giving you
1% of Final Average Pay times years of
service
35. Cash Balance Plans
PPA confirms they are not discriminatory
IRS Working towards volume submitter
and prototype plans for CB plans
Employer bears the risk + gets the
reward
Can be used in conjunction with a DC
plan
36.
37. Fee Disclosures
Many think their plan is free
Especially bundled plans
Currently fee disclosures are too
complex to understand
DOL is working on a proposed
regulation regarding a 408(b)(2)
“Guide”
If the disclosure is too long or refers to
other document or websites the guide
will be required
It will have to contain specific
references to where to find the
information (page numbers, section
numbers, weblinks)
38. Hardship Distributions
IRS is looking into requiring more
substantiation for hardship distributions
Not all plans allow for hardship
Must be made on account of an immediate
and heavy financial need
“Safe Harbor” Reasons
Have unreimbursed medical expenses
Costs relating to the purchase of a principal
residence
Tuition and related fees and expenses for post-
secondary education
Payments to prevent eviction from or
foreclosure on principal residence
Payment of burial or funeral expenses
Casualty losses to a participant’s principal
resident that would be deductible
39. Conflict of Interest Rule
DOL is working to issue a new
“fiduciary rule”
Protect plan sponsors and individual
participants from advisor conflicts of
interest
Obama gave the DOL the green light for
the redraft of the rule that defines
fiduciary
40. Delinquent 5500-EZ Returns
Coming Soon
IRS is developing a VCP (Voluntary Correction
Program) for delinquent 5500-EZ Filers (owner only
plans)
Presently, 5500-EZ filers can’t use the DOL’s VCP
program and have no way of abating penalties, other
than through reasonable cause.
1 year pilot program released in May 2014 end June
2015
Penalty relief unavailable if plan admin receives
penalty notice
41. IRS Proposes to Require
Electronic Filing
Form 8955-SSA E-Filing Mandate for plan
years beginning January 2014
Form 5500-EZ (owner only plans) for plan
years beginning January 2015
Actuarial Schedules MS/SB for plan years
beginning January 2015
42.
43. Tibble vs. Eddison International
Revenue sharing lawsuit finally got its day
before the US Supreme Court
Supremes focusing on how ERISA’s statue of
limitations was to be applied in challenging
fiduciary actions
Statute of Limitations 6 Years for
investments in plan at that time
Decision expected in June
Victory for the plaintiffs may affect every
qualified plan in the country
44. Tibble vs. Eddison International
Fee Cases – is there an Upshot?
Plaintiff lawyers have gotten smarter about
how to plead and pursue the cases
Plaintiffs must PROVE that fiduciaries breached
their duties
Use of retail funds may or may not be a violation
Use of funds from one family may or may not be a
violation
Revenue sharing is NOT an imprudent method
to pay plan fees but review
Process and documentation are the defining
factor – did the fiduciaries act prudently?
Watch plan procedures (especially Inv Policy
Statement)
45. Clark vs. Rameker
Court unanimously ruled that inherited IRAs
do not have bankruptcy protection
Inherited IRA is a RO IRA by a nonspouse
beneficiary
Not retirement funds for beneficiary
because they can take the money out and
often are required to do so before
retirement
May be better to leave the money in the
qualified plan
Problem: will the plan allow the beneficiary
to do so?
State law may give some protection that
federal law does not based on ruling
46. Tatum v. RJ Reynolds
Procedures are the most important aspect of
fiduciary activities
If the fiduciary can prove that they had reasonable
procedures in place and they followed and
documented them, the courts will turn towards
them
The first word in ERISA stands for EMPLOYEE not
employer; Fiduciaries must look out for the best
interest of the participants
Once breach and loss are proven the presumption
is the fiduciaries are responsible unless they can
prove that a prudent person would have taken the
same actions
It is not whether or not the stock lost money
The issue is whether the decision to sell the
stock was made prudently
47. Forum Clause Cases
Can a plan specify in its terms the Federal
court in which lawsuits can be brought?
The plan is the rule; venue clauses in the plan
document are enforceable and will be
enforced by the courts
Haughton v. Xerox
Smith v. Aegon
Both cases noted that they had previously
enforced arbitration clauses for ERISA
claims
48.
49. Who is a fiduciary?
Anyone who…
Exercises discretionary authority or
control over the plan
Exercises authority or control
regarding the disposition of plan
assets
Renders investment advice for a fee
Has any discretionary authority or
responsibility regarding
administration
50. IRS’s Latest Area of Interest
Emphasis on “Internal Controls”
Procedures, systems, policies that
ensure compliance
Plan Operations Review
Operate the plan according to its
terms
Plan Document Updates
Law Changes
Changes in plan operations
51. DOL Audit Triggers
Late deposits marked on Form 5500
Employee Complaints
Late or Missing deposits
Untimely Distributions
Random Selection
Correspondence from other
government agencies
Late Filings
5500 issues or unusual reporting
Unusual assets reported on Form
5500
52. Common Errors Plan Sponsors
Make
Eligibility
Failure to include eligible employees
Failure to exclude ineligible employees
Distributions & Loans
Age 70 ½ Min. Distribution Rule
Impermissible In-Service Withdrawals
Failure to Follow Loan Provisions
Failure to properly calculate loan limits
Failure to withhold loan payments
53. Common Errors Plan Sponsors
Make
Payroll
Payroll miscalculations
Late Deposits
Missed Matching contributions
Failure to Follow plan’s definition of
compensation
Bonuses, Commission, etc.
54. Common Errors Plan Sponsors
Make
Testing
Failure to pass ADP/ACP Testing
Failure to limit compensation and
contributions
Failure to provide benefit or
contribution to non-key employees
Deferrals
Excessive Deferrals
Failure to satisfy IRC 415 Limits
55. Common Errors Plan Sponsors
Make
Service Providers
Selecting sub-standard service
providers
Investment Provider, Investment
Advisor, Recordkeeper, TPA, CPA,
Auditor, anyone being paid from
plan assets for any service
Failure to benchmark or review
service providers, fees and
investments
56. The #1 Mistake Plan Sponsor Make…
Failure to follow the terms of the plan document!
57.
58. Why 401(k)s Have Failed (Forbes 4/24/13)
A Perfect Failure: Why the 401(k) Has Been a
Flop (Huffington Post 6/7/12)
Why the 401(k) is a “Failed Experiment” (PBS
Frontline 4/23/13)
Study: 401(k) retirement plans failing most
workers (Moneywatch 9/4/13)
President Obama’s State of the Union Address
(1/28/14) “fix an upside-down tax code that
gives big tax breaks to help the wealthy save,
but does little to nothing for middle-class
Americans”
Trends (Bad Rap)
59. Problems with 401(k) Plans:
Only 52% of people have access to a plan at work
Employees can’t afford to save
Participation rates are too low
Part time employees may be excluded
Tax breaks don’t work because the people who
need to save more typically are not those who
benefit from tax incentives
Trends
60. Tax Reform and Pension Reform are
being looked at now
Pension Reform believes the 401(k) is
a failure
Tax Reform views retirement plans as
an expenditure (10 year window)
Dynamic Scoring may help (takes into
account the economic effect of tax
legislation)
Trends in Tax Reform
61. Limit on size of account
Limit on pre-tax vs Roth deferrals
Stretch IRAs (non-spousal inherited IRAs
required to be distributed within 5 years)
Roth Conversions
Raising revenue to pay for specific
expenditures
Highway and Transportation Funding Act of
2014 (allowed higher interest rates to be
used for DB plans lowering the funding
requirements so there were smaller
deductions and more money for highways)
Trends in Tax Reform
63. Trends
Financial Wellness Services
Financial Education Seminars
Programs like Dave Ramsey’s CORE
Wellness
Automation + Auto escalation still
popular
Adoption of Roth accounts
Public Pension Plans moving to
401(k)-style individual accounts
64. For a copy of today’s
slideshow
Text 401K to 66866