2012 according to Mayan legend is supposed to be the end of the world; at least what that dreadful John Cusack movie told me. Perhaps Mayans were mistaken about this great apocalypse and that the apocalypse entails the dramatic changes to the retirement plan industry because if plan sponsors are unaware of their role in this year of change, something cataclysmic could happen to them such as a participant lawsuit or sanction from the Department of Labor. So this article is intended to serve as a guide for plan sponsors on how to survive 2012 and beyond as this year places added burdens and responsibilities to plan sponsors.