Posts in Employer Plan
Handling Divorce Assets in Qualified Retirement Plans and IRAs: There Is a Difference

There are differences between how various retirement assets are treated in divorce. Qualified retirement plan assets can be distributed to a former spouse through a document known as a qualified domestic relations order. IRA assets subject to divorce proceedings are paid through a “transfer incident to divorce.”

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The New Year Will Bring New Life Expectancy Tables

Is your organization ready to use the updated life expectancy tables that will take effect on January 1? Last November, the IRS published final regulations that contained revised life expectancy tables. The updated distribution periods will generally provide smaller payment amounts than those calculated with the current tables.

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Recent JCT Report Shows Significant Retirement Savings Leakage

The premature spending of retirement savings for purposes other than retirement is likely to cause many retirees to be inadequately prepared during retirement. The congressional Joint Committee on Taxation recently released a report estimating the extent to which retirement accumulations are currently “leaking” from tax-advantaged savings arrangements and why.

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Determining Beneficiary Options, Post-SECURE Act

Confused when it comes to determining beneficiary distribution options for IRAs and qualified retirement plans, especially after the SECURE Act? Since the SECURE Act changes became effective, beneficiary options depend on three primary factors. Be sure to consider all three before making any distributions to your IRA or retirement plan beneficiaries.

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Spousal Consent Requirements Differ Between Retirement Plans and IRAs

Does a married plan participant need to obtain spousal consent when requesting a qualified retirement plan distribution? Do IRAs have the same spousal consent requirements? Do spousal consent requirements apply to plan participants joined in civil unions that aren’t defined as marriage?

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DOL Releases Additional Investment Advice Guidance

The DOL has issued two pieces of guidance on its new fiduciary advice prohibited transaction exemption. The first piece contains a detailed set of FAQs for investment professionals and financial organizations. The second piece is written for retirement investors. Here are the main takeaways from this latest round of guidance.

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