Changing Times: Impact of the shift in types of retirement plans

The days are gone when a typical employee works for the same employer for 30 or 40 years and then collects a check every month for the rest of his or her life. Although the majority of employees had little understanding of how a defined benefit plan worked, they knew exactly how much they would get each month at retirement. Together with what they would earn from Social Security, it was relatively easy to plan for the future.

2018 Retirement Services Compliance Calendar and Notices Reminder

Strategic Benefit Services wants to help you stay compliant with the 2018 Retirement Services Compliance Calendar and Notices Reminder.

Compliance is just one of many services we provide. Strategic Benefit Services created this document to remind plan administrators of the compliance deadlines and notices required for distribution.

If you have any questions regarding compliance requirements or their application to your plan, contact us at (855) 882-9177or at sbs@ hanys.org.

DOL Delays Fiduciary Rule

On Monday, November 27, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that some key provisions of the fiduciary rule will be extended for 18 months.

The fiduciary rule, in its most basic context, requires brokers and advisors to act in the best interests of their clients who have retirement accounts, including IRAs and rollovers from qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) and 403(b) plans.  The DOL first proposed the regulations in October 2010 but withdrew them in 2011 after opposition from the financial services industry as well as some members of Congress.  The regulations were reintroduced in 2015 with the final rule becoming effective June 7, 2016.  Compliance with the rules surrounding broker conduct and disclosure was delayed until April 10, 2017.  A transition period for compliance with some of the provisions was put in place from April 10, 2017 until January 1, 2018.  This latest delay will extend implementation of the enforcement provisions of the rule until July 1, 2019.  During this now extended transition period, fiduciaries will be required to meet the Impartial Conduct Standards, which requires that they receive only reasonable compensation, make no misleading statements, and act in their clients’ best interest.  Clearly, the path of these regulations has been arduous and the recent delay only makes it more so.

Key Retirement and Employee Benefits Compliance Reminders for December

Due December 1st

• Deadline for participant notices, including safe harbor notice, QDIA notice, automatic contribution arrangement notice.

Due December 15th 

• Extended deadline for distributing Summary Annual Report to participants.

Due December 31st

• Corrective distributions for failed ADP/ACP test for 2016 (10% excise tax applies).
• QNEC contributions due for failed ADP/ACP test for 2016.
• RMDs due (except for first time qualifying participants).
• Last day to adopt discretionary plan amendments.
• Deadline to convert or remove safe harbor status for 2018 plan year.

Download the full 2017 Retirement and Employee Benefits Compliance Calendar.

If you have any questions or would like to begin talking to an advisor, please get in touch by calling (855) 882-9177 or e-mail us at sbs@hanys.org.

Strategic Benefit Services' Carol A. Idone Receives Prestigious SPARK Advisor Award

Vice President, Client Relationship Management and Consulting,

Honored for Leadership in "Plan Design & Administration Innovation"

Strategic Benefit Services (SBS) is pleased to announce that Carol A.Idone, CFP®, AIF®, Vice President, Client Relationship Management and Consulting, is the recipient of the 2017 SPARK Advisor Award: Plan Design & Administration Innovation. 

Sobering News Around 2018 Mortality Tables

Effective January 1, 2018, the IRS will implement new mortality tables to be used by Defined Benefit plan sponsors. A number of important things could occur when these new tables take effect, none of which are good news. These include:

• an increase in the plan liabilities; 
• an increase in the sponsor's minimum funding levels; and 
• an increase in the PBGC premiums. 

Key Retirement and Employee Benefits Compliance Reminders for November

Due November 15th 

• Contributing entities making two reinsurance fee payments for 2016 must remit the second contribution payment. 

Download the full 2017 Retirement and Employee Benefits Compliance Calendar.

If you have any questions or would like to begin talking to an advisor, please get in touch by calling (855) 882-9177 or e-mail us at sbs@hanys.org.