Most employers are familiar with the requirement to prepare and distribute a summary plan description (“SPD”). Many employers, however, assume that Department of Labor (“DOL”) disclosure requirements are consistent with the practices and needs of the 21st century. Unfortunately, this is generally not the case. Those disclosure regulations have not been updated in more than …
Debunking SPD Myths, Part 1: The SPD Basics, and (Almost) Every Plan Sponsor Needs One
Most employers that sponsor retirement, health, or other welfare plans are familiar with the requirement to provide a summary plan description (“SPD”) to their employees. With that being said, we frequently run into a number of common misconceptions or gaps in understanding with respect to various SPD requirements. The All Things HR Blog is beginning …
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Retiree Health Benefits May be Terminated Based on Ordinary Contract Principles
In its latest case addressing retiree health benefits, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that a collective bargaining agreement’s general durational clause controls when retiree healthcare benefits end. Zino v. Whirlpool Corp., 2019 BL 50961, 6th Cir. (2019). This is a new data point indicating that the Sixth Circuit has moved away from …
The IRS and the FICA, FUTA and Federal Income Tax Traps for Employers with Non-Resident Alien Employees
With all of the payroll complexities that employers face, it is no surprise that a special set of rules that applies to only a small category of employees is frequently overlooked. Often, to the surprise of payroll and human resources staff, special Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA,” composed of Social Security and Medicare taxes), Federal …
Reminders and Relief for Sponsors of 403(b) Tax-Deferred Annuity Plans: The “Universal Availability” Rule
Some sponsors of 403(b) plans may not be aware that a “universal availability” rule applies requiring the plan to permit all employees of the sponsoring employer to make salary deferrals to the plan, with certain exceptions. Those unknowing employers may have just received a holiday gift in the form of relief from the IRS. On …
The IRS Announces Updated Limitations Related to Employer Plans; 401(k) Contribution Limit Increases to $19,000 for 2019
The IRS announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for employer plans for tax year 2019. The IRS issued technical guidance detailing these items in Notice 2018-83, in addition to previous guidance in Rev. Proc. 2018-30. Many, but not all, of the limitations will change because the increase in the cost-of-living index met the …
Innovative 401(k) Plan Benefit for Employees with Student Loan Repayments
Many recent college graduates find it difficult to make contributions to their employer’s 401(k) plan as they have significant student loan repayments which take precedence in their budget. By failing to make 401(k) deferrals, these employees may miss out on employer matching contributions as well as earnings on the deferrals and match. The IRS has …
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IRS Releases Draft W-4 to Comply with Tax Law Changes: Four Things Employers Need to Know Now
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) has created many changes for individuals and employers, including the way that employers calculate wage withholding for their employees. Employers need to be aware of the new methodologies for calculating individual income tax withholding, and need to prepare for the use of new forms. To that end, the …
IRS Permits the Use of Forfeitures for QNECs, QMACs and Safe Harbor Contributions
Many employers had long assumed that they could fund contributions to qualified plans made to avoid violating nondiscrimination rules from employee forfeiture accounts. Recently, the IRS finalized helpful new guidance to employers clarifying that forfeitures can be used fund these contributions. QNECs, QMACs and Safe Harbor Contributions Tax-qualified defined contribution plans (e.g., 401(k) and profit …
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Signs Point to Yes: The IRS Advisory Committee Drops Hints That the Qualified Retirement Plan Determination Letter Program Might Return in Some Form
For many years, plan sponsors could regularly get a determination letter from the IRS to ensure that their individually-designed qualified retirement plan met all of the requirements for favorable tax treatment. However, in 2017 the IRS ended that practice. Since that time, plan sponsors have had no mechanism by which to confirm that their plans …