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Spectrum Resource Center

Advice, Articles, Events, Insights, News, Newsletters, Opinions, Press Releases, Updates, and More from Spectrum.

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Long Awaited IRS Proposed Regulations for Long-Term Part-Time Employees

On November 24, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released proposed regulations concerning the long-term part-time (LTPT) employee rules beginning in the 2024 plan year. The LTPT employee rules were originally established under the SECURE Act of 2019 and then modified under the recent SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. SECURE 2.0 made changes to shorten the initial LTPT eligibility requirements and expanded them to include 403(b) plans. The new guidelines help define LTPT employees and certain eligibility conditions.
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New Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule: Protecting Retirement Security

In a continued effort to enhance investor protection and promote transparency when it comes to financial advice, the Department of Labor (DOL) has introduced a new fiduciary rule. The proposed DOL rule, called the Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary, updates the definition of an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This regulation places a heightened emphasis on the best interests of plan participants who rely on financial service providers for advice.
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Navigating Change: Important Updates to the Family Attribution Rule

As a plan sponsor, it is important to understand your organization’s ownership structure and controlled group status. This will help your qualified plan remain compliant with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Neglecting a controlled group member or attribution of ownership can lead to a failed coverage test resulting in steep penalties or even plan disqualification.
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Tax Talk - Winter 2024

In this issue of Tax Talk, Spectrum updates you on important compliance deadlines coming up for defined contribution plans and provides a quick reminder to remind your retirement plan participants to review their beneficiary designations and make any necessary adjustments.
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SECURE 2.0 Implementation Considerations for Long-Term Part-Time Employees

The SECURE 2.0 Act continues to broaden access for American workers to save for retirement through their workplace retirement plan. One of the Act’s mandatory provisions focuses on expanding eligibility to long-term part-time employees. These employees are those who, in each of the last three consecutive years (long-term), worked at least 500 but less than 999 hours (part-time).
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Exploring Penalty-Free Distribution Provisions Under SECURE 2.0

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 has made it easier for participants to access their retirement savings in times of need without having to incur the 10% early withdrawal penalty, in certain situations. Plan sponsors now have the ability to allow participants who are going through or have experienced a natural disaster, terminal illness, domestic abuse situation or an immediate financial need to take a penalty free distribution from their employer-sponsored retirement plan.
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SECURE 2.0 Expansion of the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS)

On May 25, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provided new interim guidance with Notice 2023-43 for plan sponsors participating in self-correction through the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS). This notice provides guidance and clarity in the form of questions and answers with respect to the expansion of EPCRS for plan failures under section 305 of the SECURE 2.0 Act.
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Tax Talk - Fall 2023

In this issue of Tax Talk, Spectrum updates you on important compliance deadlines coming up for defined contribution plans and provides a quick reminder about amending your plan document for any discretionary changes implemented during the year. The calendar below assumes that a plan is being administered on a calendar year basis.
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SECURE 2.0 Act: Important Updates and Considerations

As we get closer to 2024, many of the provisions within the SECURE 2.0 Act will begin taking effect. This new legislation will have a profound impact on plan design with the goal of making saving for retirement easier and more accessible for employees. However, many of these provisions will create significant administrative complexities for plan sponsors and service providers.

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ERISA Workplace Retirement Plan Limits

The federal government annually publishes updated qualified retirement plan limits, which impact the contributions, benefit accruals, and compliance of ERISA covered qualified retirement plans. The below tables summarize the most significant changes in recent history.