ERISA Roundup - Q1 2018
A NOTE FROM BDO’S NATIONAL ERISA PRACTICE LEADER
Our team recently launched BDO’s new ERISA Center of Excellence. Through this platform, dedicated ERISA professionals share their thoughts around the latest insights on regulations and industry trends. The long-running quarterly publication, EBP Commentator, will no longer be published, rather insights will be published on the ERISA Center of Excellence in real-time and later captured in our new publication, ERISA Roundup.
Top of mind as we move in to Q2 and the beginning of employee benefit plan audit season, is audit quality. At the heart of BDO’s approach to audit quality sit our core values – People First, Empowerment Through Knowledge, Exceptional Every Day Every Way, Embrace Change, and Choose Accountability. BDO’s Chief People Officer, Catherine Moy, said it best: “Audit quality is improved when we bring together the best people who can effectively collaborate.” The collaboration of our dedicated specialists across the entire ERISA spectrum, from audit and tax professionals, to plan consultants and actuaries, brings meaningful insights and technical knowledge to our clients.
We look forward to helping you and your employee benefit plans achieve more in 2018 and beyond. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if we can be of service.
Sincerely,
BETH GARNER
National Practice Leader, ERISA
IN THIS ISSUE...
Expanded Missing Participants Program: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know About Terminating Plans
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is helping defined contribution (DC) and other plan sponsors looking to terminate their plans by expanding its Missing Participants Program.
Read the Full Article
Roth 401(K), Worth a Fresh Look?
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA). While the Roth IRA has been widely hailed as a powerful retirement saving vehicle because of its tax-free-growth and has seen widespread adoption by individuals who meet the income requirements, the Roth 401(k) isn’t nearly as popular.
That status, however, may change. The recent tax reform law poses an opportunity for employers to take another look at the Roth 401(k).
Mitigating Healthcare Costs with HDHPs and HSAs: What Plan Sponsors Need to Know
It’s no secret that healthcare is expensive—and costs are likely to continue going up. While preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are still the most popular plan type, many companies are turning to consumer-directed, high-deductible health plans (HDHP) to help manage costs and are adding reimbursement accounts like health savings accounts (HSA) to help employees pay for expenses.
Financial Wellbeing Programs: Today’s Tools For a Healthy, Productive Workforce
One of the biggest challenges employers face is figuring out how to develop a financial wellbeing plan that is tailored to the needs of their employees. Given the range of financial needs—both across generations and within them—a one-size-fits-all financial wellbeing plan likely won’t be sufficient.
Read the Full Article
UPCOMING EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS
June 18 – 20 / SHRM Annual Conference and Exposition, Chicago
BDO will have a team of ERISA professionals in attendance and available to meet throughout the event.
Please email [email protected] or [email protected] to arrange a meeting at SHRM.
May 15 – 17 / AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference, Las Vegas
Our team recently returned from the AICPA Employee Benefit Plans Conference.
Kimberly Flett, Compensation and Benefits Services Managing Director, led a half-day workshop on Form 5500s and presented on plan distributions.
Jeff Ward, Third-Party Attestation Practice Leader, and Lara Stanton, Assurance Director, presented on Cybersecurity for Employee Benefit Plans. Lara also led a deep dive session on the use of SOC-1 reports for Emplyee Benefit Plans.
ERISA Center of Excellence
BDO’s ERISA Center of Excellence is your source for insights on emerging regulations, industry trends, current topics, and more. Visit us at www.bdo.com/erisa or follow along on Twitter: @BDO_ USA and #BDOERISA.
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