May 2012

The DOL’s Advisory Opinion process is a helpful one, as it provides a manner in which to explore and test the development of innovative programs which are necessary for the retirement system to properly adapt and change.

 One of the Advisory Opinions issued today is a case in point. A continuing challenge in the marketplace

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As you can imagine, I have been asked by a number of folks of my thoughts related to the statements by the DOL in their brief for removal of the fiduciaries in the Hutcheson matter. Besides the observation that this sort of mischief could have (and does happen) regardless of the existence of a MEP,

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This has become my "annual Mother’s Day" posting, which hopefully helps describe some of the importance of what we do:
 
 
 
ERISA wonks such as ourselves tend to get lost in the press of details which seem to flow non-stop from our regulators and legislators in D.C.  It is sometimes helpful to step

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The DOL, in its final 408(b)-2 regulation, issued relief for 403(b) plans, under which information related to  certain contracts would not be subject to the the new fee disclosure rules. Though this was very helpful, it did not specifically address the 404a-5 participant disclosure regulations for the same type of contracts. This raised a…