The comment letter addresses the DOL’s main concern in initially prohibiting non-PEO commercial enterprises from becoming MEP sponsors. The Department is concerned that allowing any commercial enterprise to sponsor a MEP  would turn ERISA into a purely “commercial” statute. Any company- whether or not it is a large financial service company or a smaller service provider-who can meet all of the MEP sponsor compliance rules should be entitled to sponsor a MEP, and the marketplace would be better for it. And ERISA would maintain its validity as a strong, employment based set of laws.
Continue Reading The TAG Comment to the DOL MEP proposal: The DOL’s Own Reasoning Supports MEPs Being “Open”

There is a growing public policy concern regarding the ability of workers in the gig economy to access the ability to accrue retirement savings,. Though IRA’s and SEPs are, of course, available, they are nowhere near as effective as worksite retirement plans. Troy Tisue’s testimony at the Senate HELP Committee’s hearing on retirement plans for the gig economy addresses how Open Meps® may help address this issue. In addition to his written testimony, Troy also discussed at the hearing on how there are ways in which aggregation programs-which are currently available- can be used to address this need.
Continue Reading Senate Testimony on Open MEPS in the Gig Economy

A more effective alternative at providing scale than the MEP platform, and one which really is made possible by technology, is what the DOL describes in its MEP IB as the “Prototype Approach,” versions of which are apparently being considered by several states. It provides those small plans the buying power and access to expertise which are at the heart of MEPs, doing so without that platform’s inherent difficulties.

Continue Reading MEPS Aren’t What They Are Seem; Alternative More Efficient at Achieving Scale