Year-end is always a busy season for retirement plan advisors, but this year carries extra weight. The December 31, 2026 deadline to formalize certain SECURE, CARES, and SECURE 2.0 plan amendments arrives in a matter of weeks, and 2026 is the first year that mandatory Roth catch-up contributions apply in practice. Add the usual notice,… [keep reading…]
Category: Pension
Year-End Plan Amendments: What Advisors Need to Know Before December 31
The IRS recently clarified the deadline for adopting plan amendments implementing SECURE and SECURE 2.0 Acts. Although the bulletin generally gives plan sponsors additional time to adopt required amendments under the acts, the deadline remains December 31, 2026, for most private-sector retirement plans to adopt written amendments reflecting discretionary changes under the SECURE Act and… [keep reading…]
SECURE 2.0 Amendments and Provisions Now in Effect: An Overview
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 brought sweeping changes to the retirement plan landscape. Many of those provisions are now operationally effective, and plan sponsors face a fast-approaching deadline to formalize the required written amendments. For advisors helping clients maintain compliant retirement plans, understanding what must happen, and when, is essential. The December 31, 2026… [keep reading…]
Turning Plan Costs into Tax Savings: A Retirement Plan Credits Guide for Advisors
Tax credits are one of the most compelling reasons a small employer will say “yes” to starting a retirement plan. Yet, many business owners never claim them because no one raised the topic. Advisors are uniquely positioned to educate clients on these incentives. Understanding the basics can help advisors turn a cost objection into a… [keep reading…]
Controlled Groups: What Every Advisor Should Know
Most advisors will encounter controlled group issues at some point. While the rules can become complex, understanding the basics can help identify potential problems early and ensure retirement plans remain compliant. Why Controlled Group Rules Matter The controlled group rules exist to prevent business owners from dividing employees among multiple entities to avoid retirement plan… [keep reading…]
Financial Strategy When Preparing for Retirement
The years leading up to retirement are one of the most critical windows in financial planning, offering opportunities to maximize savings, reduce future tax burdens, and position your portfolio for what comes next. From Roth conversions and catch-up contributions to Social Security timing and healthcare planning, the decisions you make now can have a lasting impact on retirement readiness. Read on to learn how a coordinated pre-retirement strategy can help you make the most of the time you still have.
Mergers and Acquisitions: How They Impact Retirement Plans
A merger or acquisition can create significant retirement plan issues, even when the business transaction itself seems straightforward. The buyer, seller, and their advisors should address retirement plans early, because the deal structure may determine whether a plan is maintained, merged, terminated, spun off, or left behind. Why Deal Structure Matters. In a stock purchase… [keep reading…]
Combo Plans: What Advisors Need to Know
For the right employer, a “combo plan” can create a powerful opportunity to increase deductible contributions and accelerate retirement savings. What is a Combo Plan? A combo plan generally combines a defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan for the same employer or controlled group. A common combo design pairs a safe harbor 401(k)… [keep reading…]
Registration Deadline: New York Secure Choice
Did you know that New York State’s retirement savings program registration deadline is less than a month away. Register before the deadline of May 15th, 2026, with New York Secure Choice and invest in your employee’s future success. If you are an employer and your company has 10 or more employees, have been in business… [keep reading…]
Plan Review Triggers: Why TPAs Should Care
In 401(k) administration, a plan review is often most valuable when the employer’s business changes, even if the plan document itself has not. A plan that worked well last year can drift out of alignment when ownership, payroll, compensation, or workforce patterns shift. Periodic reviews help TPAs catch issues before they become failed testing, correction… [keep reading…]