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President Trump has signed into law the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act (“Act”). 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued Major Disaster Declarations on July 22, 2025, for disasters in New Mexico, Missouri, West Virginia, Kansas, Indiana, Oregon and Michigan. 

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has released proposed legislation titled the Pensions for All Act. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of New Mexico storms, flooding, and landslides until February 2, 2026. 

Principal Financial Group®, a leader in pooled retirement plan offerings, announced the successful transition of administrative responsibilities for Principal® EASE, the firm’s largest Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) by client count, to FuturePlan. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-15, offering detailed guidance on how to handle federal tax withholding and reporting when retirement plan distribution checks go uncashed and must be reissued.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-14 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for August 2025. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-39, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The Internal Revenue Service has released Notice 2025-40, updating the static mortality tables for defined benefit plans for 2026. 

 The Department of Labor filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief in a case (Hutchins v. HP Inc.). 

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has introduced S. 2217, the Independent Retirement Fairness Act.  

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in Texas until February 2, 2026. 

Determining the right type of 401(k) plan for your small business can be challenging. While a traditional plan may work for you, there are other options that may be a better fit for your employees and your company—including a safe harbor plan.

The Internal Revenue Service has posted an updated draft 2025 Instructions for Form 5329, Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans (Including IRAs) and Other Tax-Favored Accounts. 

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Tim Scott (R-SC), have shared proposals that, according to a press release, would modernize federal labor law to empower 27 million independent contractors to access portable workplace benefits, like health care and retirement.

President Trump signed into law tax legislation known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ on July 4th.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 6, 2025.

Congress passed the tax bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on July 3, 2025.

The Department of Labor has released a prerule item titled “Pooled Employer Plans” (PEPs) to the Office of Management and Budget for review.

The IRS has posted 2025 tax year draft Form 4972.

These interest assumptions are used for valuing benefits under terminating single-employer plans. 

The Senate has passed by a vote of 51-50 its version of the tax reconciliation bill. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding in Missouri. 

The Senate voted to approve the nomination of Ken Kies as the assistant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury by a vote of 53-45. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 19, 2025, for Tennessee severe storms. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-13 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for July 2025. 

The Senate Finance committee released bill text for inclusion in the Senate’s version of the budget reconciliation bill yesterday. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-35, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The IRS may also issue relief related to this disaster for certain tax-related deadlines. 

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and several cosponsors have reintroduced the Improving Disclosure for Investors Act. 

The Department of Labor has announced the launch of its opinion letter program. 

A notice of availability and request for comments on DOL information collection activities has left the Office of Management and Budget. 

The Department of Labor provides an alternative method of compliance with the rules for reporting and disclosing information under Title I of ERISA for 'top hat' plans. 

The Secretary of Labor has announced that the Department of Labor has rescinded a 2022 compliance release that discouraged fiduciaries from including cryptocurrency options in 401(k) retirement plans. 

Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have re-introduced the Auto Reenroll Act. 

The House of Representatives has passed their version of the reconciliation tax bill—H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—by a vote of 215-214. 

H.R. 1013, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act introduced by Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK) and several cosponsors in February was one of several bills advanced out of the House Financial Services Committee. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued several Major Disaster Declarations on May 21, 2025. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-12 which contains the applicable federal rates for June 2025. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-29, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and co-sponsor Tim Kaine (D-VA) have reintroduced the “Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act”. 

The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved their tax package out of committee by a party line vote of 26-19 following a markup hearing. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 8, 2025, for Arkansas severe storms and tornadoes. 

The House Committee on Ways and Means has released draft text of a budget bill and a section by section summary ahead of a full committee markup of the bill scheduled today. 

The Internal Revenue Service has released Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2025-21. 

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) have introduced the Universal Savings Account Act. 

Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Representatives Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) and Terri Sewell (D-AL-7) have introduced the Retirement Savings for Americans Act (RSAA) of 2025. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe winter storms and flooding in Virginia until November 3, 2025. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on April 24, 2025, for Kentucky severe storms. 

Representative Rick Allen (R-GA) has introduced H.R. 2988, the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Tennessee severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding until November 3, 2025. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-10 which contains the applicable federal rates for May 2025. 

Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) has introduced H.R. 2748, the First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act as part of a suite of proposals aimed at addressing housing costs for families. 

Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) have introduced the IRA Charitable Rollover Facilitation and Enhancement Act. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-21, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Arkansas storms until November 3, 2025. 

Effective April 1, 2025, the maximum aggregate bankruptcy exemption amount for IRAs increased from $1,512,350 to $1,711,975. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on April 4, 2025, for Virginia severe winter storms and flooding. 

Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced H.R. 2544, the Financial Freedom Act. 

FuturePlan by Ascensus has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vice President, Sales Consultant, Troy Testa, to the FuturePlan team.

The Department of Labor has issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2025-02 and accompanying single employer and multiemployer model notices updating notice requirements for defined benefit plans pursuant to Section 343 of SECURE 2.0. 

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation has issued a final rule updating interest assumptions. 

Representatives David Kustoff (R-TN) and Judy Chu (D-CA) previously introduced H.R. 517 the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act. 

A Department of Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network interim final rule has narrowed the requirements for who must file beneficial ownership information pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act.

Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and several co-sponsors have reintroduced the Women's Retirement Protection Act. 

Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI) has introduced H. R. 2067, the Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings (PARSA) Act. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on March 18, 2025, for Oklahoma Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of West Virginia severe storms, straight-lined winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides until November 3, 2025. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-08 which contains the applicable federal rates for April 2025. 

FuturePlan by Ascensus has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vice President, Sales Consultant, Michael Butler, to the FuturePlan team.

Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Patty Murray (D-WA) along with several other co-sponsors have reintroduced the Women's Retirement Protection Act in the Senate. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-17, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The Treasury Department has announced that it will not enforce penalties or fines associated with the beneficial ownership information reporting rule under existing regulatory deadlines pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act. 

The Senate on Monday confirmed former Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor by a vote of 67-32. 

The Department of Labor recently issued a final amendment to the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, incorporating a Self-Correction Component for eligible transactions under the program. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on February 26, 2025, for West Virginia severe storm, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on February 24, 2025.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Kentucky severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides until November 3, 2025.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto along with several cosponsors has introduced S. 132, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued proposed regulations providing guidance for employers regarding new provisions on catch-up contributions as permitted by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-06 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for March 2025. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2025-14, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Gary Peters (D-MI), have introduced S.424, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a proposed regulation, providing guidance for employers that are required to include an automatic enrollment provision with their 401(k) or 403(b) plan. 

A proposed rule and class exemption issued by the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration providing guidance on ESOP transactions has been withdrawn from publication. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-05, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for February 2025.

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued a proposed rule and class exemption for shares to be acquired by an ESOP pursuant to SECURE 2.0.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on January 15, 2025, for Alaska severe storm and flooding.

The Department of Labor has released Field Assistance Bulletin 2025-01 providing guidance regarding the treatment of small balances of retirement plan missing participants and beneficiaries.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a proposed rule under IRC Sec.162(m) to identify “covered employees” and nondeductible compensation. 

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-13, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The Internal Revenue Service has released proposed catch-up regulations that apply to certain retirement plans as provided by Sections 109, 117, and 603 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.

The Internal Revenue Service has released proposed automatic enrollment regulations that apply to certain retirement plans as provided by Sections 101 and 341 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on January 8, 2025, for California wildfires and straight-line winds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on January 1, 2025, for the following disasters for the period indicated.

The Department of Labor has published in the Federal Register several inflation-adjusted penalty amounts for certain failures associated with qualified retirement plans.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has published in the Federal Register inflation-adjusted penalty amounts for failure to provide certain notices or other material information and for failure to provide certain multiemployer notices.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has issued Technical Update 25-1 that provides guidance on the timing of premium payments for plan years beginning in 2025.

Department of Labor guidance titled “Adoption of Amended and Restated Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program” has left the Office of Management and Budget.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on December 24, 2024, for North Dakota.

The Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Ruling 2025-2, containing the covered compensation tables for the 2025 plan year.

The Internal Revenue Service released Announcement 2025-2, delaying the anticipated applicability date for future final regulations relating to required minimum distributions.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has released a final rule updating the table for determining expected retirement ages for participants in pension plans undergoing distress or involuntary termination to reflect valuation dates falling in 2025.

Effective December 18, 2024, the prime interest rate decreased to 7.50 percent.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) has released draft legislation titled Protecting Proper Life Insurance from Abuse Act.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Post-Tropical Storm Helene in West Virginia until May 1, 2025.

Cash balance retirement plans are one of the most powerful tax strategies available to business owners today.

These regulations address a payor’s obligation to withhold income taxes when those payments or distributions are made to payees outside of the United States.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2025-1, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2025-1, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for January 2025.

Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act, certain employees will have more deferral opportunities beginning in 2025. Read on to learn how much employees can contribute to their retirement plan and about the types of deferrals that may be available. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on December 9, 2024, for West Virginia Post-tropical Storm Helene.

The Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2024-82, 2024 Required Amendments List for Qualified and Section 403(b) Plans.

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued Notice 2024-77, providing interim guidance on the treatment of “inadvertent benefit overpayments” from defined benefit and defined contribution plans as provided by Section 301 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued Major Disaster Declarations on November 26, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on November 27, 2024.  

FuturePlan by Ascensus has announced the appointment of two members to the national sales team: Brittany Evans and Nick Xinopoulos.

The Office of Management and Budget has received a final rule from the Department of Labor titled “Adoption of Amended and Restated Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program”.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that it intends to begin issuing opinion letters regarding Cycle 2 pre-approved 403(b) plans, including the 2022 cumulative list of changes in those requirements.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and straight-line winds in the Crow Tribe of Montana.

The Department of Labor has announced the start of a voluntary information collection to establish and maintain the Retirement Savings Lost and Found database.

How a Retirement Plan Advisor Can Leverage a TPA to Build Your Business

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on November 14, 2024, for Crow Tribe of Montana severe storm and straight-line winds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued Major Disaster Declarations on November 13, 2024, for Alaska landslides and Wyoming wildfires.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in Chaves County, New Mexico.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-81, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

FuturePlan recently interviewed our top 25 producers in the financial advisor network about best practices for closing cash balance sales.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe until February 3, 2025.

Employers may now treat an employee’s qualified student loan payments like elective deferrals or after-tax contributions for purposes of providing an employer matching contribution.

Effective November 8, 2024, the prime interest rate decreased to 7.75 percent.

The Department of Labor has issued additional guidance and further relief for participants of employee benefit plans affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of flooding in the Havasupai Tribe in Arizona.

The relief period generally corresponds with the IRS’ previously announced tax relief for taxpayers affected by Helene and Milton.

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) has updated its table titled, “Present Value of PBGC Maximum Guarantee.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on November 5, 2024, for Seminole Tribe of Florida Hurricane Milton.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued Major Disaster Declarations on November 1, 2024.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-80, which contains the 2025 cost-of-living increases for qualified retirement plan dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued Notice 2024-73, providing guidance regarding the participation of long-term, part-time employees in 403(b) plans subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of flooding in Alaska until May 1, 2025.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 25, 2024, for Virgin Islands Tropical Storm Ernesto.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 19, 2024, for North Carolina Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, for the incident period of September 16, 2024 – September 20, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-76, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The IRS has posted final regulations regarding income tax withholding on certain periodic payments and nonperiodic distributions from employer deferred compensation plans, individual retirement plans, and commercial annuities that are not eligible rollover distributions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 16, 2024, for Alaska flooding, for the incident period of August 5, 2024 – August 6, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service has released Notice 2024-77, Guidance Under Sections 414(aa) and 402(c)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code with Respect to Inadvertent Benefit Overpayments.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-24 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for October 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as “72(t) payments.”

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Hurricane Milton in Florida until May 1, 2025.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 11, 2024, for Florida Hurricane Milton, for the incident period of October 5, 2024 and continuing.

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation has determined premium rates applicable for the 2025 plan year in accordance with indexing rules provided in ERISA Section 4006. The single-employer plan per-participant flat rate premium for plan years beginning in 2025 is $106, up from $101 in 2024. The single-employer plan variable-rate premium for 2025 remains the same at $52 per $1,000 of unfunded vested benefits. The variable-rate premium per participant cap increased to $717 per participant, from $686 in 2024.

The Social Security Administration has issued the 2025 adjustments for benefits and certain other limitations that are subject to annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) indices.

Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) has introduced HR 9820 – the Employee and Retiree Access to Justice Act.

FuturePlan by Ascensus has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vice President, Sales Consultant, Lucas Berg, to the FuturePlan team.

Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-Co), and co-sponsor Maria Salazar (R-FL), have introduced H.R. 9764, the Catching Up Family Caregivers Act. According to a press release, the bill would allow family caregivers to make catch-up contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans, an option typically reserved for those over age 50. For every year they are out of the workforce, caregivers could be eligible for an additional year of catch-up contributions, up to a maximum of five years.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 4, 2024, for Arizona Watch Fire, for the incident period of July 10 – July 17, 2024.

Learn how disaster victims can access their retirement savings.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of wildfires in Washington.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-73, providing question-and-answer guidance on long-term, part-time employees in 403(b) plans. Guidance is applicable for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 2, 2024, for Tennessee tropical storm Helene, for the incident period of September 26, 2024 and continuing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on October 1, 2024, for Virginia Tropical Storm Helene, for the incident period of September 25, 2024 and continuing.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Hurricane Helene until May 1, 2025.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding in parts of Illinois.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 30, 2024 for Georgia Hurricane Helene, for the incident period of September 24, 2024 and continuing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued Major Disaster Declarations on the following dates:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 26, 2024, for Vermont Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, for the incident period of July 29 – July 31, 2024.

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, along with fellow republican committee members Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), have introduced S. 5139, Empowering Main Street in America Act of 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued Major Disaster Declarations on September 24, 2024, for the following locations:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued Major Disaster Declarations on September 20, 2024.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Tropical Storm Debby in Pennsylvania.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-67, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

Effective September 19, 2024, the prime interest rate decreased from 8.50 percent to 8 percent.

The House passed H.R. 5339, the Roll back ESG To Increase Retirement Earnings Act (RETIRE Act), by a vote of 217-206.

FuturePlan by Ascensus has announced the appointment of two new Regional Vice Presidents to the National Sales Team: Denise D’Antuono and Lori Zeman.

Recent legislation passed by Congress includes several provisions that enhance the ability of workers to increase their retirement savings. One of these provisions, Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0), also enhances the ability of employers that sponsor a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), or a SIMPLE IRA plan to supplement workers’ retirement savings by providing matching contributions to employees who make qualified student loan payments (QSLPs) in 2024 and later plan years.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-21 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for October 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as “72(t) payments.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 16, 2024, for Louisiana hurricane Francine for the incident period of September 9 – September 12, 2024. 

The IRS has indicated that application steps for pre-approved plan document providers seeking to obtain IRS approval of defined contribution and defined benefit arrangements is changing to incorporate electronic filing requirements. Beginning August 1, 2024, providers must submit Forms 4461 or 4461-B electronically, completing steps to pay for and submit the application on pay.gov. Also, beginning September 1, 2024, providers must submit Forms 4461-A or 4461-C electronically, completing on Pay.gov. Paper submissions after these dates will not be processed.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-65 requesting comments on implementation of sections 103 and 104 of SECURE 2.0 regarding the Saver’s Match contributions and the Treasury Department’s obligations to promote the new Saver’s Match. The Saver’s Match is a replacement of the Saver’s Credit beginning in 2027 providing a government funded matching contribution to certain eligible participants who claim the match on their tax return.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 11, 2024, for Vermont severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of August 22–August 24, 2024. 

The Department of Labor has issued a compliance assistance release clarifying that cybersecurity guidance issued in April 2021 applies to all types of ERISA plans, including health and welfare plans and all employee pension benefit plans. The guidance package includes tips for hiring a service provider, cybersecurity program best practices, and online security tips.

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act. The bill would make tax credits available to tax exempt small employers for employer plan startup costs and the auto-enrollment credit.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in New York. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on August 18, 2024. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Suffolk county, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in Connecticut. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on August 18, 2024. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

A private letter ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Service allows the inquiring taxpayer to offer a discretionary employer contribution that employees can choose to direct to either their 401(k) plan, health savings account, retiree health reimbursement arrangement, or education assistance program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on August 29, 2024, for New York severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding, for the incident period of July 10 – July 11, 2024. 

The IRS has released a fact sheet informing employers that adopting certain plan provisions will impact how certain amounts are reported on Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement. The fact sheet notes that provisions potentially affecting Forms W-2 include the following.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on August 23, 2024, for Montana straight-line winds, for the incident period of July 24, 2024. 

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line-winds, and flooding in South Dakota.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-62, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. Updates include corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates for July used under Internal Revenue Code Section (IRC Sec.) 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment rates for August under IRC Sec. 430(h)(2). IRC Sec. 417 contains definitions and special rules for minimum survivor annuity requirements in DB plans. IRC Sec. 430 addresses minimum funding standard for single-employer DB plans.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-63 (Notice) providing guidance under Section 110 of SECURE 2.0 regarding employer matching contributions with respect to qualified student loan payments (QSLP). The Notice addresses several matters in question-and-answer format, including the following.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has released its first yield curve issued for ERISA 4044 calculations where the valuation date is on or after July 31, 2024, and before August 31, 2024.  PBGC’s ERISA 4044 regulation provides guidance on the actuarial assumptions used to determine the present value of benefits in involuntary and distress terminations of single-employer plans (e.g., interest, mortality, retirement age), and for other purposes. PBGC will update the Interest Assumption webpage monthly to reflect future yield curves.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-17 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for September 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as “72(t) payments.”

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final regulations that revise existing rules that apply to required minimum distributions (RMDs).

Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) introduced the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act to help more Americans ages 18 to 20 years old access employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Gary Peters (D-MI), have introduced S. 4917, the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2024-55, providing guidance on two provisions permitted under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0); emergency personal expense distributions and domestic abuse victim distributions. The notice defines these distributions and explains the restrictions associated with taking such distributions, the self-certification rules, repayment details, and withholding and notice requirements.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides in Kentucky.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Revenue Procedure 2024-32, setting forth procedures by which the sponsor of a defined benefit plan subject to the funding requirements of IRC Sec. 430 may request approval for the use of a plan-specific substitute mortality table.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final regulations regarding the use of mortality experience data for the COVID-19 pandemic period that supplement the methodology for developing substitute mortality tables provided in Treasury Regulation 1.430(h)(3)-2.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of hurricane Beryl in Texas. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on July 5, 2024.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has released updated filing requirements related to changes its final rule on valuations and assumptions methods issued last month.

More than two years after releasing proposed regulations that revised the required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations and other related guidance, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final regulations that revise existing regulations applicable to RMDs, eligible rollover distributions, and excess accumulation tax.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-59, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. Updates include corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates for June used under Internal Revenue Code Section (IRC Sec.) 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment rates for July under IRC Sec. 430(h)(2). IRC Sec. 417 contains definitions and special rules for minimum survivor annuity requirements in DB plans. IRC Sec. 430 addresses minimum funding standard for single-employer DB plans.

The Department of Labor has launched an online filing system for termination administrators to be able to submit required information for abandoned plans to DOL in addition to existing email and paper-based methods. This initiative was telegraphed in the recent release of an interim final rule that expands the abandoned plan program to Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees and makes other changes. More information on the rule can be found here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 18, 2024, for Montana severe winter storm and flooding, for the incident period of May 6 – May 9, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 15, 2024, for Kansas severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding, for the incident period of April 25 – April 30, 2024.

The IRS notes in a new post that electronic filing of Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, will not be required for the remainder of the 2024 taxable year—confirming that taxpayers may continue to file by paper. Form 5330 is used to report the payment of excise tax for a variety of issues, including prohibited transactions (i.e., late deposits), excess contributions, reversion of qualified plan assets, excess benefits paid, etc.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an interim final rule, expanding the Abandoned Plan Program regulations to also include plans of employers who are in liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The DOL has also released a corresponding amendment to prohibited transaction exemption (PTE) 2006-06, Class Exemption for Services Provided in Connection with the Termination of Abandoned Individual Account Plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 28, 2024, for Minnesota severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of June 16, 2024, and continuing.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding in Mississippi.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of southern New Mexico South Fork fire, Salt fire, and flooding.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Oklahoma severe storms, straight-line-winds, tornadoes, and flooding.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Florida severe storms, straight-line-winds, and tornadoes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 24, 2024, for Iowa severe storms, flooding, straight-line-winds, and tornadoes, for the incident period of June 16, 2024 and continuing.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has reported to Congress on Interpretive Bulletin 95-1, pursuant to a directive under Section 321 of SECURE 2.0. Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 provided guidance on fiduciary standards for selecting an annuity provider for a defined benefit plan. DOL reports that the bulletin’s factors are still relevant to a fiduciary’s prudent and loyal evaluation, but did note that the agency may further explore developments in both the life insurance industry and in pension risk transfer practices to determine whether additional guidance is needed.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-55, providing guidance on emergency personal expense distributions and domestic abuse victim distributions that are effective after December 31, 2023 under SECURE 2.0. The Notice details in question-and-answer format what represents an applicable distribution, distribution restrictions, withholding and notice requirements, repayment or rollover details, and exceptions to the 10 percent additional tax on early distributions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 17, 2024, for Tennessee severe weather and tornadoes for the incident period of May 8 – May 9, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 17, 2024, for Florida severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, for the incident period of May 10, 2024.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-13, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for July 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as “72(t) payments.”

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-53, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. Updates include corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates for May used under Internal Revenue Code Section (IRC Sec.) 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment rates for June under IRC Sec. 430(h)(2). IRC Sec. 417 contains definitions and special rules for minimum survivor annuity requirements in DB plans. IRC Sec. 430 addresses minimum funding standard for single-employer DB plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 17, 2024, for Hawaii severe storms, flooding, and landslides for the incident period of April 11 – April 14, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 14, 2024, for Oklahoma severe storms, straight-line-winds, tornadoes and flooding, for the incident period of May 19 – May 28, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 10, 2024, for Idaho severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides, for the incident period of April 14 – April 15, 2024.

The Department of Treasury has issued a request for information from the financial services sector on potential opportunities and risks related to the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on June 10, 2024, for Mississippi severe storms, straight-line-winds, tornadoes, and flooding, for the incident period of April 8 – April 11, 2024.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of West Virginia severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on April 2, 2024. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Fayette, Hancock, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Preston, Putnam, Tyler, Wayne and Wetzel counties, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Kentucky severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on April 2, 2024. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union, and Whitley counties, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has released a final rule titled Valuations Assumptions and Methods.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 30, 2024, for Arkansas severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding, for the incident period of May 24 – 27, 2024.

Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tedd Budd (R-NC) have introduced S. 4398, the Retirement Investment in Small Employers (RISE) Act.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Texas severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 24, 2024, for Iowa severe storms for the incident period of May 20, 2024 – May 21, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 24, 2024, for Maine severe winter storm, for the incident period of April 3, 2024 – April 5, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 24, 2024, for West Virginia severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of April 11, 2024 – April 12, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 24, 2024, for Nebraska severe winter storm and straight-line winds, for the incident period of April 6, 2024 – April 7, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 22, 2024, for West Virginia severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of April 2, 2024 – April 6, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 22, 2024, for Kentucky severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of April 2, 2024.

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a regulatory package that includes a final amendment (the Retirement Security Rule) to the regulations that define what constitutes an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) Title I and Title II (codified in the Internal Revenue Code).

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Iowa severe storms and tornadoes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 17, 2024, for Texas severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding, for the incident period of April 26, 2024, and continuing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 15, 2024, for Massachusetts severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of September 11 – 13, 2023.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a final rule to address cybersecurity risks.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-40, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a regulatory package that includes an interim final rule that amends the regulations for abandoned plans that were initially created in 2006.

Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-NC), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) have announced they are introducing a resolution of congressional disapproval of the Department of Labor’s “Retirement Security Rule.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 14, 2024, for Iowa severe storms and tornadoes, for the incident period of April 26 – 27, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service has released Notice 2024-42, updating the static mortality tables for defined benefit plans for 2025.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on May 3, 2024, for Nebraska severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes, for the incident period of April 25, 2024 – April 27, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding rules for distributions from retirement plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) under Section 331 of SECURE 2.0 for individuals affected by federally declared major disasters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on May 2, 2024, for Ohio tornadoes, for the incident period of March 14, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding businesses who sponsor a retirement plan that certain provisions of SECURE 2.0 that became effective in 2023 may impact their Form W-2 reporting requirements.

In January 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2024-22, providing guidance with respect to anti-abuse rules for Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts (PLESAs), a new provision created by the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 30, 2024, for Oklahoma Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, for the incident period of April 25, 2024, and continuing.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 28, 2024, for a Kansas Winter Storm, for the incident period of January 8, 2024–January 16, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 28, 2024, for Washington severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of January 5, 2024–January 29, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 19, 2024, for California severe winter storm, for the incident period of January 30 – January 31, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 19, 2024, for California severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of January 31, 2024 – February 9, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 19, 2024, for New Hampshire severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of January 9, 2024 – January 14, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 19, 2024, for a Vermont severe winter storm for the incident period of January 9, 2024–January 13, 2024.

Department of Labor (DOL) guidance titled “Amendment of Abandoned Plan Program” that has been with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) since last July, has left OMB. According to the abstract filed with OMB, the principal purpose of the amendments is to permit bankruptcy trustees to use the DOL’s program to terminate and wind up the plans of sponsors in liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Proposed RMD regulations were released in February 2022.

Under the proposed regulations, if an account owner dies on or after their required beginning date, beneficiaries who are subject to the 10-year rule must take annual life expectancy payments during the first nine years.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-09, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for May 2024.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-35 to provide additional transition relief for certain specified RMDs for 2024.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is proposing to collect information in order to establish the Retirement Savings Lost and Found online searchable database described in Section 523 of ERISA as amended by Section 303 of SECURE 2.0.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 13, 2024, for California severe winter storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides for the incident period of January 31 – February 9, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 13, 2024, for Oregon severe winter storms, straight-line-winds, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of January 10, 2024–January 22, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-34, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

A final rule titled “Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary” has left the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on April 6, 2024, for Alaska severe storm, flooding, and landslides, for the incident period of November 20, 2023.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Maine severe storms and flooding.

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The Department of Labor has issued a final rule “Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 (PTE 84-14) for Transactions Determined by Independent Qualified Professional Asset Managers (the QPAM Exemption)”.

The Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation have extended the deadline for comments related to a Request for Information (RFI) released in January pursuant to Section 319 of SECURE 2.0.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Alaska severe storms, landslides, and mudslides.

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule to assist employers when determining whether a worker is considered an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released proposed regulations related to the implementation of section 120 of the SECURE 2.0 Act (SECURE 2.0).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on March 20, 2024, for Maine severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of January 9 – 13, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued disaster declaration 4765 and 4766 on March 20, 2024, for Rhode Island severe storms and flooding, for the incident periods of December 17-19, 2023, and January 9-13, 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-29, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

An employer that maintains a SIMPLE IRA plan is generally not permitted to maintain another retirement plan in which employees may accrue benefits—a principle known as the exclusive plan rule.

Employers that sponsor a SIMPLE plan may allow increased salary deferral limits for their employees, starting in tax year 2024.

For plan years beginning after December 29, 2022, employers that sponsor 401(k) or 403(b) plans may offer employees a “de minimis” financial incentive, such as a gift card, as long as the cost of the incentive is paid by the employer and not paid from plan assets.

Before SECURE 2.0’s enactment, SEP and SIMPLE IRA plan contributions had to be made as pre-tax contributions, but now employers may allow employees to elect to have contributions into a SEP or SIMPLE IRA made as Roth contributions.

The SECURE 2.0 Act contains provisions that allow individuals to place more of their assets into Roth accounts.

Credible studies have concluded that employers who automatically enroll plan participants into a retirement plan help place them on a lifetime path to meaningful savings.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-07, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for April 2024.

A final rule titled, “Proposed Amendment to PTE 84-14 for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by an Independent Qualified Plan Asset Manager,” (QPAM) has left the Office of Management and Budget—suggesting that official release may come soon.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on March 15, 2024, for Alaska severe storm, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of November 20, 2023.

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) has issued a final rule updating interest assumptions under the asset allocation regulation for plans with valuation dates in the second quarter of 2024.

The Department of Labor has sent a final fiduciary rule titled “Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Text of the final rule is not available until after OMB completes their review. A proposed rule released last fall would expand the definition of investment advice fiduciary under ERISA and would make amendments to prohibited transaction exemptions regarding eligibility and conditions for exemption. A 60-day comment period on the proposal ended January 2, 2024.

The IRS has released an alert reminding taxpayers that personal expenses for general health and wellness are not considered medical expenses for flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) purposes, and that reimbursement of non-medical expenses results in the arrangement no longer being qualified and all disbursements being includible in income.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on March 2, 2024, for Vermont R1 severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of December 18 – December 19, 2023.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of wildfires in the Spokane, Washington, area.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in San Diego, California.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on February 27, 2024, for New Hampshire severe storm and flooding, for the incident period of December 17 – December 21, 2023.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-26, providing an administrative exemption from the electronic filing requirement for Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons, otherwise required to be electronically filed in calendar year 2024.

Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) has introduced H.R. 7407, the Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act.

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The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Michigan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on February 19, 2024, for California severe storm and flooding, for the incident period of January 21, 2024–January 23, 2024.

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and several co-sponsors have introduced S. 3716, the 401Kids Savings Account Act.

Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) have introduced H.R. 7222, the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-04, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for March 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2024-24, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in West Virginia.

Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member, has introduced the Automatic IRA Act of 2024.

The IRS, in an Employee Plans News release, announced it has started the second phase of its pre-examination retirement plan compliance program pilot.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in Maine.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final regulations that provide de minimis error safe harbor exceptions to penalties for failure to file correct information returns or furnish correct payee statements.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, introduced the GHOST Act.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on January 30, 2024, for Maine severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of December 17, 2023 – December 21, 2023.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on January 30, 2024, for West Virginia severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, for the incident period of August 28, 2023 – August 30, 2023.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes in Rhode Island.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-23 providing relief for taxpayers impacted by system issues affecting the Maryland Prepaid College Trust.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims in parts of Connecticut affected by severe storms, flooding, and a potential dam breach.

The Department of Labor has released amendments that supersede the Department’s existing procedure governing applications for exemptions from the prohibited transaction provisions of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code.

The Department of Treasury, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation have released a Request for Information (RFI) pursuant to Section 319 of SECURE 2.0.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the release of a proposed regulation on automatic portability transactions pursuant to Section 120 of SECURE 2.0.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2024-02, which provides guidance in a question and answer format regarding several provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration on January 7, 2024 for Rhode Island severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes, for the incident period of September 10 – September 13, 2023.

The IRS has issued a final rule to update minimum present value requirements for defined benefit plan distributions.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the release of a set of frequently asked questions intended to provide general compliance information under ERISA regarding pension-linked emergency savings account (PLESA) arrangements that are allowed under SECURE 2.0.

A Department of Labor (DOL) proposed rule titled Exemption for Certain Automatic Portability Transactions has been removed from the Office of Management and Budget’s list for review, signaling that it may be released soon.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-03, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for February 2024.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2024-21, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

The IRS has released Notice 2024-22, providing guidance on anti-abuse rules under Section 127 of the SECURE 2.0 Act with respect to Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts (PLESAs).

The Department of Labor has published in the Federal Register several inflation-adjusted penalty amounts for certain failures associated with qualified retirement plans.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has published in the Federal Register inflation-adjusted penalty amounts for failure to provide certain notices or other material information and for failure to provide certain multiemployer notices.

The IRS has issued its final rule specifying the methodology used to develop the corporate bond yield curve.

The Department of Labor’s Pension Benefits Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)—the agency that insures and has primary governance over defined benefit (DB) pension plans—has issued the 2024 plan year version of its Comprehensive Premium Filing Instructions.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has indicated they will launch a new and improved e-Filing Portal on February 1, 2024.

The Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division has issued a news release and final rule to clarify whether a worker qualifies as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) have introduced H.R. 6757 to permit rollover contributions from Roth IRAs to designated Roth accounts in a 401(a), 403(a), 403(b) or 457(b) arrangement.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-3, which contains the 2023 cumulative list of changes in requirements that must be taken into account by drafters of pre-approved defined contribution retirement plan documents for the fourth remedial amendment cycle (Cycle 4).

The IRS has released Notice 2024-2, Miscellaneous Changes Under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. The so-called “Grab Bag” Notice provides guidance to multiple provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022.

FuturePlan has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vice President, Nick Kennedy, to the FuturePlan team. 

The IRS has released final regulations that provide de minimis error safe harbor exceptions to penalties for failure to file correct information returns or furnish correct payee statements.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-1, containing the covered compensation tables for the 2024 plan year. These tables are used in calculations for defined benefit pension plans when permitted disparity, sometimes called integration, is used in determining employer-provided benefits.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued Notice 2024-04, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. 

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-02, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for January 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as "72(t) payments."

The SECURE 2.0 Act has shortened the time necessary to allow part-time workers access to 401(k) plans. 

Two Department of Labor (DOL) regulatory actions have been removed from the Office of Management and Budget’s list for review, signaling they may be released soon.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a proposed regulation reflecting statutory changes related to long-term, part-time (LTPT) employees made by the SECURE Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0). This proposed regulation would amend Treasury Regulation (Treas. Reg.) 1.401(k)-5 to reflect the rules for LTPT employees, including specific eligibility and vesting requirements. The proposed regulation also provides guidance regarding employer contributions with respect to LTPT employees and the impact that LTPT employees will have on nondiscrimination, coverage testing, and top-heavy benefits.

The Senate and House committees of jurisdiction have released a draft containing technical corrections and other clarifications to SECURE 2.0.

The Office of Management and Budget has received a proposed rule from the Department of Labor (DOL) titled “Exemption for Certain Automatic Portability Transactions”.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule updating the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and the Davis-Bacon Related Acts (together “DBRA”) nearly 40 years after the Department last completed a comprehensive revision of the guidelines.

The IRS has released a proposed rule reflecting statutory changes made by the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 related to long-term, part-time employees. The SECURE Act of 2019 expanded coverage for 401(k) plans to allow those who had worked at least 500 hours in three consecutive years to participate under a plan’s salary deferral provision – with service required to be counted beginning with plan years on or after January 1, 2021. SECURE 2.0 shortened this wait to two years effective for 2025 and later plan years, and expanded applicability to ERISA-covered 403(b) plans allowing salary deferrals.

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2023-37, which contains new rules for qualified pre-approved plans and 403(b) plans.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and co-sponsor Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced the “Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act”.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2023-21, which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for December 2023.

The Office of Management and Budget has received a final rule from the Department of Labor (DOL) titled “Proposed Amendment to PTE 84-14 for Plan Asset Transactions Determined by an Independent Qualified Plan Asset Manager”.

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a regulatory package that includes a proposed amendment to the regulations that define what constitutes an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (the “Retirement Security Rule”).

A Department of Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) final rule that implements requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), will impose beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements affecting IRA-owned LLCs.

The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2023-34, which contains cost-of-living adjustments for taxable years beginning in 2024 for over 60 tax provisions, including cafeteria plans.

Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has introduced the Retirement Investment in Small Employers (RISE) Act to encourage small businesses with no more than 10 employees who received at least $5,000 of compensation in the prior year to adopt retirement plans.

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-75, which contains the 2024 cost-of-living increases for qualified retirement plan dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) has updated its table titled, “Present Value of PBGC Maximum Guarantee,” to reflect applicable values for distributions with annuity starting dates during calendar year 2024.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released a new proposed rule updating the definition of an investment advice fiduciary under ERISA.

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which included the SECURE 2.0 Act.

Under current law, employers may allow participants age 50 and older to make catch-up contributions on a pretax or Roth basis.

Employers with 401(k) and 403(b) plans may allow participants to take a hardship distribution as long as the distribution is made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need, does not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy that need, and the participant does not have an alternative means reasonably available to satisfy such financial need.

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-73, specifying the mortality table used in determining minimum present value under IRC 417(e)(3) and ERISA section 205(g)(3).

Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) have re-introduced the Retirement Savings for Americans Act.

Every feature of my.FuturePlan was developed based on advisors’ and plan sponsors’ specific needs, to make navigating plan administration as easy as possible.

The IRS has issued Notice 2023-54 to provide transition relief for required minimum distributions in connection with the change in required beginning date to age 73 under SECURE 2.0, and guidance for certain specified RMDs for 2023.

Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Accounts

SECURE 2.0 is the hot topic in the retirement industry right now and has been hailed as the most important retirement enhancement legislation in more than a decade.

The SECURE 2.0 Act provides more ways for individuals to access their retirement savings and creates new exceptions to the 10% early distribution penalty tax.

Cash balance plans are the best way for business owners to significantly reduce their tax burden and accelerate retirement savings.

The third phase of updates to Form 5500, Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan, was recently released. 

New Product Diminishes Employer Burdens, Adds Fiduciary Protection

The SECURE 2.0 Act modifies one small-employer credit and creates another. These credits may make establishing and contributing to a plan much more attractive.

Experienced Sales Leader Will Oversee Organization's North/West Region

With taxes on the rise, high earners are searching for ways to reduce tax liability while accelerating retirement savings.

The SECURE 2.0 Act gives certain employers a general business tax credit for immediately including military spouses in their defined contribution plan.

Ever-evolving regulatory requirements, plan choices, and participant needs are making it increasingly complex to implement and manage a retirement plan.

FuturePlan by Ascensus has named Aaron McIsaac its new Head of FuturePlan Sales.

This bill was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which was signed into law on December 29, 2022.

Advisors, look beyond the 401k and help your clients win the talent war with Cash Balance Plans. Find out how.

Four Steps to Fire Up Your Referral Pipeline – Without Asking for Referrals

FuturePlan is part of an exciting partnership with RBC Wealth Management (RBC) and Transamerica.

Vestwell names FuturePlan as one of its preferred TPA partners, as part of their new Vestwell Flex solution.

FuturePlan by Ascensus announced a major expansion of the firm’s national footprint with four new sales territories and ten strategic new hires across the country.

Current Head of Sales Kasey Price Named President of FuturePlan, Effective August 1, 2022

Dresher, PA—July 14, 2022—Ascensus—whose technology and expertise helps millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare— announced today that Kasey Price will assume the role of President of FuturePlan by Ascensus on Aug. 1, 2022.

Experienced Sales Leader Will Expand Institutional Product Pipeline and Industry Partnerships

Experienced Sales Leader Will Continue to Oversee Organization’s Northwest/Central Region

FuturePlan by Ascensus—a leading national retirement third-party administrator (TPA) that specializes in the delivery of customized retirement plan consulting and administration services—announces that Aaron McIsaac will assume divisional vice president (DVP) responsibilities for the organization’s Southern California region as a result of DVP Greg Taylor’s planned retirement. The change is effective June 30, 2021.

Jay Hollis, John Krzeminski, and Lou DePonte Join Organization to Facilitate Continued Institutional Growth and Offer Enhanced Regional Support

FuturePlan by Ascensus is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Wiggins as divisional vice president (DVP) for the Southeast and Southwest regions, which are key growth areas for the FuturePlan organization.

Ascensus is pleased to announce that Teresa Hassara will join the company as president of its FuturePlan by Ascensus line of business effective April 12, 2021.