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
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
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
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
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
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") plaintiffs' bar has found a new way to allege that 401(k) plan sponsors have breached their fiduciary duty....more
In five recently filed class action lawsuits, 401(k) plan participants allege that plan fiduciaries violated ERISA by using plan forfeitures to offset employer contributions instead of paying plan expenses. The use of...more
When a participant terminates employment without being fully vested in their qualified retirement plan account, the non-vested portion of the account is a “forfeiture.” While forfeitures are a common element of most...more
Over the years, the Internal Revenue (IRS)/Treasury had an item on their annual guidance plan to update the existing regulations on forfeitures. Well, that guidance is finally here in the form of proposed regulations and it...more
Earlier this year, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed regulations on the use of forfeitures by tax-qualified retirement plans. The changes, published in the Federal Register,...more
If you’re reading this, chances are this is not the first time you’ve heard of the 83(b) election (and if it is, then definitely keep reading). The “83” in “83(b) election” refers to Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code,...more
On February 27, 2023, the IRS and the Department of Treasury published proposed regulations regarding the use of forfeitures in qualified retirement plans. If finalized, the proposed rule will be effective for plan years...more
The February 24, 2023, issuance by the IRS of proposed regulations on the use of forfeitures in qualified retirement plans provides some welcome clarity, regulatory house cleaning, and relief for plan sponsors. With a...more
In a 2010 newsletter, the IRS announced that forfeitures under a 401(k) plan or other defined contribution plan must be promptly used and not allowed to accumulate over several years. In February, the IRS proposed...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued proposed regulations that would require forfeitures in defined contribution plans—i.e., unvested benefits forfeited by terminating defined contribution plan participants—to...more
The March Monthly Minute highlights new proposed deadlines for use of retirement plan forfeitures, unsuccessful efforts to overturn the final ESG rule, and ACA penalty increases for 2024. Sorry Not Sorry: Biden Vetoes...more
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has recently proposed new regulations that clarify when and for what purposes defined contribution plans — such as 401(k) plans — may use forfeitures. These regulations are proposed to...more
On February 27, 2023, the IRS published proposed regulations on the use of forfeitures in qualified retirement plans. For defined contribution plans, the regulations provide welcome clarity on what forfeitures can be used for...more
The U.S. Treasury Department issued proposed regulations regarding the treatment of forfeited amounts in tax-qualified defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans. The February 27, 2023 proposed regulations, if...more
Historically, the topic of forfeitures has raised many questions for qualified plan administrators- specifically, how and when they can be used. But there has been little formal guidance from the Department of Treasury and...more
On February 24, 2023, the IRS issued proposed regulations simplifying the use of forfeitures in qualified retirement plans, providing that forfeitures in defined contribution plans must be used by the end of the plan year...more
“Would I ever leave this company? Look, I’m all about loyalty. In fact, I feel like part of what I’m being paid for here is my loyalty. But if there were somewhere else that valued loyalty more highly, I’m going wherever they...more
On January 12, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department released final regulations governing the deductibility of certain fines, penalties and other amounts paid to, or at the direction of, a...more
This Client Advisory highlights important developments in the law governing employee benefit plans and executive compensation over the past year. It offers insight into what these developments mean for employers and plan...more