An article in Forbes magazine alleges that the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island paid kickbacks to placement agents. As most are aware, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) does not apply to governmental plans. So, what kinds of protections are available in the case of kickbacks from public retirement systems? Read more
Forbes: Rhode Island State Pension Admits History Of Kickbacks And SEC Inquiry
New Revenue Procedure Establishes 403(b) Pre-Approved Plan Program
(Posted on April 29, 2013 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The IRS will start accepting applications for opinion and advisory letters for prototype and volume submitter 403(b) plans (tax-sheltered annuities and custodial accounts for certain tax-exempt and governmental employers) on June 28, 2013. Read more
CalSTRS Finalizes Divestments from Gun Manufacturers
(Posted on April 23, 2013 by Carol V. Calhoun)
An article in Pensions & Investments reports that in the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) has approved the divestiture of holdings in two gun manufacturers that make weapons that are illegal in California.
Governmental Health Plans Face New Fee for 2014-2016
(Posted on April 16, 2013 by Carol V. Calhoun)
One of the least noticed provisions of the The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), sometimes referred to as Obamacare, is a transitional reinsurance fee applicable to 2014 through 2016. The Department of Human Services issued regulations implementing this provision on March 11, 2013. These regulations clarify that although governmental entities are exempt from tax and from most of ERISA, health plans that governmental employers maintain for their employees will be subject to the new fee.
Expanded Correction Program for 403(b) Plans
(Posted on April 4, 2013 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Rev. Proc. 2013-12 for the first time allows 403(b) plans (tax-sheltered annuities or custodial accounts for employees of public schools, churches, and certain other tax-exempt organizations) the same ability to correct plan errors under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“EPCRS”) as is provided in the case of qualified plans. The IRS has now issued a plain language “Fix-It Guide” for 403(b) plans that discusses common mistakes, how to avoid them, and how to fix them if they occur.
Social Security Tax Rates Return to Higher Levels for 2013
(Posted on January 1, 2013 by Carol V. Calhoun)
After two years in which Social Security tax rates for employees (though not for employers) were reduced, rates returned to normal levels for 2013. Read more
New Article: Same-Sex Marriage: Thinking About Employee Benefits
(Posted on December 28, 2012 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Same-sex marriage is legal in Maryland as of January 1, 2013. A two-part series of articles in Baltimore OUTloud discusses how this will affect employee benefits in that state.
Final Regulations Govern FICA Taxation of 403(b) Contributions
(Posted on November 19, 2007 by Carol V. Calhoun)
Final Regulations Issued Under Code Section 403(b)
(Posted on September 4, 2007 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The IRS explanation states as follows: Read more
Distributions from a Pension Plan Under a Phased Retirement Program
(Posted on June 11, 2007 by Carol V. Calhoun)
The IRS has issued a copy of its long-awaited final regulations on the extent to which a pension plan can make distributions to an individual in the process of a phased retirement. A copy of the regulations can be seen by clicking here.