Posts tagged 'EBSA'

IRS and Other Agencies Release Information for Annual Benefits Plan Report/Return Filings

December 3, 2024

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On November 25, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced updates to the annual benefits plan report/return filings. In general, the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) teamed up with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). As part of this joint effort, the agencies released informational copies of the 2024 Form 5500, Form 5500-SF, IRS Form 5500-EZ, IRS Form 5558, and related instructions online. Subsequently, the IRS will release paper copies of Form 5500-EZ and instructions for 2024 separately on its website. This will occur after January 1st, 2025. Previously, in February 2024, the DOL announced that under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the EBSA recovered $1.435 billion for ERISA complaints and other benefits violations in fiscal year (FY) 2023.

July 24, 2012

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EBSA Revises Submission Procedures for Fiduciary Relief Under Disclosure Rule

401(k) EBSA

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has announced improved procedures for plan sponsors who wish to obtain fiduciary relief for a service provider’s failure to comply with the department’s plan-level fee disclosure rule. A new Direct Final Rule accordingly revises the mailing address and web-based submission procedures for filing certa...

February 2, 2012

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EBSA Delays Plan Disclosure Rule

401(k) EBSA

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has issued a final rule that will provide employers sponsoring pension and 401(k) plans with information about the administrative and investment costs associated with providing such plans to their workers. The department also announced a 3-month extension in the effective date of this rule, meaning service provi...

November 16, 2011

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EBSA Launches Benefits Help Web Page

DOL EBSA

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has created a new consumer assistance Web page that provides easy access to useful information and allows users to submit questions and complaints about health and retirement plans electronically. "Helping retirement and health plan participants find answers to questions about their benefits and providing a...

July 15, 2011

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EBSA Extends Compliance Dates for Retirement Plan Fee Disclosure Rules

EBSA

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has extended compliance dates for two rules relating to retirement plan fee disclosures. First, the EBSA final rule extends the applicability date of the fiduciary-level fee disclosure rule of July 16, 2010, to April 1, 2012. This rule enhances the information that service providers must provide plan fiduciaries. Second, the rule modifies the...

July 12, 2011

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DOL Reports Busy Agenda for the Remainder of 2011

EBSA OSHA

In its semi-annual report to Congress on its upcoming agenda, the Department of Labor (DOL) revealed that the Occupational Safety (OSHA) and Health Administration and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will be finishing up some far-reaching rule-making decisions. OSHA is busy revising its Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2), a program that will affect virtually every ...

March 14, 2011

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EBSA Hearings on ACA Auto-Enrollment Mandate

ACA DOL EBSA PPACA

The Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) will hold public hearings on April 6 to discuss the automatic enrollment provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). PPACA inserts a provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requiring businesses with 200 or more employees to automatically enroll all employees into a health plan, but new FLSA section 18A will no...

December 1, 2010

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EBSA Requires 401(k) Fee Transparency

401(k) DOL EBSA final rule on fee transparency

In the wake of a spate of high-profile employee class action lawsuits on excessive 401(k) fees, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has jumped into the fray with the publishing of a final rule of the transparency of fees and expenses associated with 401-(k)-type retirement plans. Plan administrators will now have to provide detailed, plain-language breakouts of all fees and exp...

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DOL Proposes New Joint Employer Rule To Unify Standards Under Federal Labor Laws

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DOL Updates Enforcement Approach for Employee Benefit Plans: What Employers Should Know

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a significant change in its enforcement of employee benefit plan rules. The DOL will now focus more closely on serious violations that harm workers and retirees, meaning compliant employers may face less scrutiny under the updated approach.

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