Art of the Qualified Plan Audit

In my previous two blogs, I discussed qualified plan distribution options for my cousin Mike, my contemporary, and my Aunt Mary, a Baby Boomer.

In my previous blog, I discussed how my cousin Mike could receive a hardship distribution or a terminating distribution, even though he would not be able to avoid the early distribution penalty.

I grew up in a small family, but my sister and I enjoy a large extended family that always gathers for every celebration, large or small. Being an accountant at these gatherings […]

My previous blog, Compensation: The Missing Link – Part 1, stressed the importance of ascertaining a solid link between the definition of compensation in the plan document and the one used operationally.

Compensation, you might think, should be easy to quantify. However, in a retirement plan, determining compensation can actually be quite complex.

We are closing in on the New Year and just in time to help you meet your New Year’s resolution to meet all your deadlines, attached […]

The employee benefit plan audit season is in full gear now and, if not already started, your employee benefit plan audit is most likely around the corner.

By Christopher CIminera – The 408(b)(2) disclosure buzz has awakened many plan officials to the fact that different share classes can affect their plan investments’ returns.

Posted by Christopher Ciminera In last week’s blog I drew a parallel between Verizon’s network coverage and communications of the retirement plan provisions through a Summary Plan Description (SPD) and Summary of Material Modifications (SMM). This week I will go into further detail on how to provide these communications electronically. The analogy to Verizon’s network coverage is still applicable since … Continued

Posted by Chris Ciminera I think back to the cell phone commercial with the Verizon spokesman with his black glasses and hand to his head as a parallel for retirement plan communications. Creating a plan or changing provisions without employees knowing about it doesn’t create good “coverage” for plan sponsors. In fact, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act … Continued