SECURE Act New Plan Federal Tax Credit for Small Employers Effective in 2020, a federal tax credit is available for each of the first three years of a new retirement plan. There is a separate credit for 401(k) plans that add an eligible automatic contribution arrangement. These credits are available to employers with no more...Read More

The House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27, 2020, two days after the Senate passed it in a unanimous vote. It is expected to be signed into law by the President momentarily. The $2 trillion dollar stimulus bill has far-reaching implications, including many items that directly...Read More

Workers who have been terminated or furloughed without pay during the COVID-19 crisis may have difficulty making ends meet. The most apparent source of relief for many is their 401(k) account. The government is helping people access their 401(k) accounts by providing legislation to make hardships and loans more accessible during this economic downturn. However,...Read More

With the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 epidemic, many 401(k) plan sponsors are considering suspending their safe harbor arrangements mid-year. But, is this the best course of action? Here are some things to consider. Is the plan top heavy? IRC Sec. 416 provides for certain requirements to be followed if a plan is “top...Read More

Effective January 1, 2020, the rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) and beneficiary payouts have significant changes. Some good; some bad. The changes impact the requirements of both employer retirement plans and IRAs to distribute assets from the plan upon a certain age and upon death. RMD Rules Until now, a participant in a retirement...Read More

The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act (SECURE Act) is the largest single pension reform we’ve had in ten years. There are many provisions that touch various parts of the tax code and impact employers and plan sponsors. In this article, we break down the SECURE Act based on provisions that are important...Read More

A recent analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by The National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) discovered that the median retirement account balance among all working Americans is zero. They also report that 57% of workers have no assets in a workplace retirement plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or pension. Only one in five of...Read More

The ideal prospective client that financial advisers would generate would undoubtedly show young, college-educated workers with above-average incomes since this prospect gives the advisers the opportunity to assist the client with growing their wealth over several decades. A recent survey of over 1,400 health care consumers, indicated that those using tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)...Read More

Women seem to express greater openness to financial education and getting professional financial advice than men do according to a recent study/white paper from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. The study reports that 79% of retired women are receiving professional financial advice, versus 68% of men The white paper, “Closing the Retirement Gender Gap,” compiles...Read More

Among Americans between the ages of 45 and 65 who are saving for retirement, an online survey of 1,007 adults done last April by Allianz Life reported that 49% are “chasers” – people who think they need to catch up on their retirement savings and wish there was a way to make up for lost...Read More