DE Under 3: New WIR Reporter; Nomination for New EEOC General Counsel; ODEP “Disability & the Digital Divide” Report
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Benefits Companion - Missing Plan Participants
The federal government has been in a partial shutdown since late last week, with several federal agencies – including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – experiencing a lapse in appropriations. The U.S....more
On January 30, 2026, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published proposed regulations (408(b) rules) that would significantly increase transparency requirements for pharmacy...more
The US Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has announced updated enforcement priorities for fiscal year 2026. These changes signal where EBSA will focus its investigative and enforcement...more
With so much happening in the employee benefits world, we bring you Benefits Catch-Up, our catch-up contribution to help you keep up with recent developments....more
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Daniel Aronowitz as assistant secretary of labor, placing him in charge of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the arm of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) responsible for...more
The Beltway Buzz™ is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business....more
On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Daniel Aronowitz as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) by a 51-47 vote. Mr. Aronowitz was nominated by President Trump on...more
The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) tried to play cleanup with the rulebook and instead found out that sometimes the “old” rules are still needed. After floating the idea of removing...more
The US Department of Labor just relaunched and significantly expanded its opinion letter program, offering employers across five enforcement agencies a direct line to legal interpretations of federal laws on wage and hour,...more
On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (“the Departments”) issued their 2024 Report to Congress on the enforcement and implementation of the Mental Health Parity and...more
Following up on our recent blog post, SECURE 2.0’s Required Changes to Annual Funding Notice Become Effective in 2025, the Department of Labor released Field Assistance Bulletin 2025-02 on April 3, which addresses compliance...more
A recent audit conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) has uncovered significant challenges encountered by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) in ensuring compliance...more
By Amberlee Lapointe On January 14, 2025, the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) released updates to its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (“VFCP”), along with a News Release and Fact Sheet...more
Over 8,000 stocks trade on American stock exchanges, but billions of dollars in daily trades in these listed stocks and 12,000 more unlisted (non-exchange-traded) stocks occur outside of an exchange in Over-The-Counter...more
The regulatory pendulum has been swinging toward deregulation since Donald Trump was inaugurated last month. On his first day in office, January 20, 2025, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum titled “Regulatory...more
The Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) has long been a source of reprieve to plan sponsors and fiduciaries from enforcement actions by the Department of Labor (DOL), by allowing the voluntary correction of a number...more
On January 16, 2025, the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released two pieces of guidance that, if finalized, would dramatically change the landscape for fiduciaries responsible...more
As explained in my last post, Things I Worry About (7), the DOL’s EBSA has a number of programs that can restore benefits to plans and participants. Those include: - Civil investigations. - Criminal investigations. -...more
And other changes are afoot. Michael Schloss has been named Acting Director and Deputy Director of Policy of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Mr. Schloss previously served as Director of the Office of...more
According to the National Office Directory for OFCCP, Michael Schloss has been named as the new Acting Director and Deputy Director of Policy of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”). Michele Hodge, who...more
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a much awaited amendment to its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFC Program). Notably, the amendment adds a self-correction feature for the delinquent transmittal of...more
The DOL’s EBSA has a number of programs that can restore benefits to plans and participants. Those include: - Civil investigations. - Criminal investigations. - Informal compliant resolutions. - Correction programs. ...more
The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) launched the public Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database, an online tool designed to help former participants and beneficiaries find retirement...more
On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announced significant updates to the VFCP. These changes, effective March 17, 2025, introduce a self-correction feature for...more
On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) released its long-awaited final rules regarding changes to the Voluntary Fiduciary Compliance Program (VFCP). The new...more