Aside from a few forgettable years living in Washington D.C. for law school and a memorable year on Boston for a tax LLM degree, I have lived my entire life in the New York City area. For the first 35 years of my life, severe weather problems were limited to a blizzard or a severe rainstorm. Whether it’s global warming or some other phenomenon, that’s changed, as New York has become a hotbed of hurricane activity. Hurricanes Isabel and Sandy have changed the way people in my area live as many of us including yours truly have suffered enormous losses. Hurricane Sandy destroyed both my cars as well as destroying the entire downstairs of my home. When the hurricanes approached our area, the local news educated us on what we need to weather the storm. This information usually includes a checklist to ensure that we wouldn’t forget important items when the storm hits. When it comes to retirement plans as a retirement plan sponsor, you have to be prepared in case of a storm of another kind that can foster litigation from aggrieved participants. This storm could be the result of another bear market or the new 401(k0fee disclosures. To limit your liability as a plan sponsor and to make your 401(k) plan more effective, please consider this checklist and have the answers for the questions handy.