PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - ERISA Forfeiture Litigation
Recently had a client going through an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audit and while talking to an agent, they didn’t disagree with my theory that the idea of being able to reduce employer contributions through forfeitures...more
For one of our authors, their kids’ current favorite treat is a chocolate bar sold by a popular YouTube personality (and philanthropist!). The kids know about this particular chocolate bar because the personality promotes it...more
Last year, we alerted you to the filing of several class action lawsuits alleging that plan fiduciaries violated their duties of prudence and loyalty under Title I of ERISA by using forfeitures to reduce employer...more
We understand that running an automotive supplier business involves more than just industry-specific issues. That's why we regularly provide important insights and tips on broader legal trends to help you navigate challenges...more
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued its opinions in Fair v. Continental Resources, No. S-21-074, and Nieveen v. TAX 106, No. S-21-364, following remand from the United States Supreme Court in the wake of Tyler v....more
Recent developments spotlight issues with forfeiture and other unallocated accounts in defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans: •The IRS has set the deadline for plan forfeiture use. •Participants in...more
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) recently secured its first forfeiture of sanctioned funds. This was a landmark achievement for the NCA’s Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, which has only existed since 2022 and aims to...more
Last year, we alerted you to the filing of several class action lawsuits alleging that plan fiduciaries violated their duties of prudence and loyalty under Title I of ERISA by applying forfeitures to reduce employer...more
In March 2024, at the American Bar Association’s 39th National Institute on White Collar Crime, Deputy Attorney General (“DAG”) Lisa Monaco announced that the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or the “Department”) intended to...more
On this episode of Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion, host Brydon DeWitt discusses pending court cases regarding the proper use of forfeitures that arise under defined contribution plans. He outlines how these new...more
In a recent case, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion in Schafer v. Kent County, No. 164975, addressing the critical issue of surplus equity stemming from a tax foreclosure within the context of the state...more
Addressing forfeiture of issues on appeal and sufficiency of the asserted prior art, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a Patent Trial & Appeal Board obviousness finding, explaining that a party does not...more
On March 7, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) would release a new whistleblower rewards program for civil and criminal forfeitures. On August 1, 2024, DOJ did just that—as the...more
On August 1, 2024, the Department of Justice officially launched a three-year pilot program to reward whistleblowers who report corporate misconduct....more
On behalf of the ESOPs, Benefits & Compensation team, we hope your Summer is off to a great start. In the time of family vacations and out-of-office replies, the pace of employee benefits changes—both large and small—remains...more
401(k) plan sponsors are seeing a string of lawsuits challenging their use of forfeitures to offset matching contributions. In the most recent suit, plaintiffs claimed that a 401(k) plan sponsor violated its fiduciary duties...more
There has been a rash of lawsuits recently challenging how forfeitures are used in retirement plans. (Forfeitures are the amounts remaining when the unvested portion of a participant’s account is forfeited.) The novel theory...more
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ban on noncompetition covenants (“noncompetes”) could significantly impact the design and administration of employee benefits and executive compensation arrangements....more
Buy-sell agreements come in all shapes and sizes. Some are straightforward. Others are outrageously complex, especially purchase price formulas. Some have triggers for death. Others disability. Retirement. Expulsion....more
A federal district court recently granted a motion to dismiss claims that defined contribution plan fiduciaries breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence, and violated ERISA’s anti-inurement and prohibited...more
Conflicting orders on motions to dismiss from two California courts foreshadow issues for a new theory of ERISA liability. Employers have faced a recent wave of novel ERISA class actions that challenge the reallocation of...more
In this first-of-its kind enforcement action, the FCC has proposed forfeitures not only against a party for allegedly instigating a deepfake, robocall campaign, but also against the voice provider for alleged STIR/SHAKEN...more
A recent rash of class action lawsuits in California claim that using forfeitures to reduce future employer contributions to tax-qualified retirement plans runs afoul of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)....more
In December, we suggested, contrary to popular opinion, that serious attention should be given to the filing of several class action lawsuits alleging that plan fiduciaries violated ERISA by applying forfeitures to reduce...more
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued a Final Rule (the “FTC Rule”) that, unless invalidated by the courts, will soon prohibit most non-compete provisions. In its current form, the FTC Rule will cover not...more