John Iekel

Legislation is pending in two states to adjust the definition of “covered employer” and “covered employee” for purposes of state-sponsored retirement plans that cover private-sector employees whose employers do not offer a plan.  Hawaii. Bills are before both the Hawaii House of Representatives... READ MORE

The Alaska Senate is considering a measure that would give certain employees who participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans those systems offer.  Senate... READ MORE

The American Retirement Association (ARA) has signed on to a joint letter supporting the IRS’ new permanent rules to allow remote notarization of spousal consent forms.  Background   During the pandemic, the IRS received requests from stakeholders to permit remote witnessing of spousal consents... READ MORE

The IRS has released private letter ruling (PLR) 202305001, which concerns whether amending a pension plan to expand employee eligibility for health benefits to include certain employees eligible to begin receiving retirement benefits when reaching age 59½ will affect the plan’s qualified status... READ MORE

Are retirement plans SECURE? American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff, NTSA Executive Director Nathan Glassey, and ARA Director of Federal and State Legislative Affairs Andrew Remo at the Feb. 26 opening session of the 2023 NTSA Summit in Tampa, FL discussed Washington’s take on that. And,... READ MORE

Editor’s note: This the fourth in a four-part series. The original appears in its entirety as the cover story of the Winter 2023 edition of Plan Consultant magazine. The digital edition of the Winter issue is available here. However, access to Plan Consultant is restricted to ASPPA members, so you’... READ MORE

The IRS has issued an update to the 2022-2023 priority guidance plan.    The IRS had released the initial plan on Nov. 4, 2022, setting forth guidance priorities for the 12-month period from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023 (the plan year).    To Be Done   The IRS says in the updated list... READ MORE

Smoky Mountains, ocean shore. Disparate settings, but a common legislative thread — legislation is before the legislatures of Tennessee and Rhode Island that would add those states to those that provide a state-sponsored retirement plan for those whose employers do not.  The Volunteer State The ... READ MORE

The West Virginia Senate has passed a measure that would include certain public charter schools under state public retirement system coverage. Sen. Eric Nelson (R-Kanawah) introduced the bill, SB 449, on Jan. 24. It passed in that chamber on Feb. 9 in a 33-0 vote. What the Bill Would Do The bill... READ MORE