Latest Retirement Plan Legislation & Regulations
October 2012 (4Q) Summary
- The retirement industry is working diligently to implement plan sponsor fee disclosure regulations, which were finalized in February. The Department of Labor (DOL) delay of participant fee disclosure regulation was welcome news to many plan sponsors who needed time to finalize plans to share the required information with participants.
- Tax expenditures will likely consume the headlines in 2012 as political debate continues about how to reduce the national debt.
- Defined benefit plans are getting some much needed relief as several pieces of legislation addressing funding levels and interest rate volatility, were approved.
- While changes undoubtedly bring additional challenges, we believe they also bring significant opportunities. Preparation is the key. Financial professionals, TPAs and plan sponsors who are informed can make adjustments to retirement plan(s) accordingly.
October 2012 (4Q) Regulatory Landscape
This summary tracks relevant portions of federal regulatory developments. This summary is intended to provide you with a basic overview of these developments.
| Topic | Name of Regulation | Status | Effective Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee & Investment Disclosure Regulations for Plan Sponsors | ERISA 408(b)(2) | FINAL Regulation | July 1, 2012 | Final Department of Labor (DOL) regulations requiring disclosures by plan service providers to plan sponsors/fiduciaries of fee and service information. |
| Fee & Investment Disclosure Regulations for Participants | 404(a)(5) | FINAL Regulation | * | Final DOL regulations requiring plan fiduciaries to disclose certain plan, fee and investment-related information to participants and beneficiaries. |
| Technical Release 2011-03 | On Sept., 13, 2011, the DOL confirmed that quarterly disclosures may be provided in the same manner that participant statements are permitted. |
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| Field Assistance Bulletin | On May 7, 2012, the DOL provided more details regarding several aspects of the participant disclosure regulation. | |||
| Normal Retirement Age (NRA) Rule for Gov. Plans | N/A | PROPOSED Guidance |
Proposed effective date is no earlier than Jan. 1, 2015 | The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to modify its 2007 Normal Retirement Age (NRA) regulation, which provides guidelines on distributions from a retirement plan upon attainment of NRA - on the application of the NRA regulation to governmental plans. |
| DB Funding Limitations | IRS Notice 2012-46 | FINAL Guidance |
Nov. 1, 2012 | The IRS finalized guidance on the notice of funding based limitations in single-employer DB plans. The guidance clarifies the notice requirements and provides a sample notice. |
| Designated Investment Alternatives (DIAs) | Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2012-02R | FINAL Guidance | Immediately | The DOL clarified its position on brokerage windows, self-directed brokerage accounts and similar arrangements, stating that they are not designated investment alternatives (DIAs) under a plan. |
* The Department of Labor has provided transition relief for complying. The initial disclosure must be furnished no later than the later of:
- 60 days after the plan's anniversary date that occurs on or after November 1, 2011; or
- 60 days after the effective date of the plan sponsor fee and investment disclosure rule (July 1, 2012).
October 2012 (4Q) Legislative Landscape
This summary tracks relevant portions of federal legislative developments. This summary is intended to provide you with a basic overview of these developments.
| Topic | Name of Bill | Status | Effective Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic IRAs | Automatic IRA Act of 2012 (H.R.4049) Retirement Plan Simplification and Enhancement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4050) |
PROPOSED Legislation PROPOSED Legislation |
Not determined Not determined |
The proposed legislation would require employers that do not sponsor a retirement plan to enroll their employees into a payroll deduction individual retirement account (IRA). The proposed legislation would simplify/revise some of the qualified plan rules surrounding retirement plans. |
| Alleviating Leakage in 401(k) Savings | Savings Enhancement by Alleviating Leakage in 401(k) Savings (SEAL) Act | PROPOSED Legislation | Not determined | The proposed legislation is intended to protect 401(k) plans by providing flexibility in the repayment of loans, and limiting the number of outstanding loans that a plan may permit. |
| Defined Benefit – PBGC Premium Levels and Funding Stabilization |
Rebuild America Act | PROPOSED Legislation |
Effective upon enactment |
The proposed Act includes a wide range of domestic and economic policies, including a few that relate to employersponsored retirement plans. The most notable provisions would involve changes to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's (PBGC) organization and policies, and changing funding rules for defined benefit (DB) plans. |
| Interest Rate Stabilization – Improved Funding Status for DB Plans |
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century | FINAL Legislation |
Required for 2013 | This legislation is intended to stabilize the average of interest rates, which will reduce required funding and improve funded status for most DB plans. However, it also significantly increases Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) premiums. |
Additional 4Q 2012 Details
Download the latest version of the Legislative and Regulatory Landscape (PDF) 
