October 28 2022

Qualified Plan and Social Security Limits to Rise by Record Amounts in 2023

When the new Social Security benefit amounts and qualified retirement plan limits are announced in early fall each year, usually not all of them will rise in any given year because of how the limits are rounded down to the next lower multiple. Due to...

February 25 2022

Buying the Dip: Making Qualified Plan Contributions Early

The stock market has been up and down throughout 2022 so far – more down than up. A number of qualified retirement plan clients have asked us about making their 2022 plan year contributions early, the goal being to “buy the dip.”

November 05 2021

Big Jump for Qualified Plan Limits and Social Security in 2022

As a result of higher increases to the Consumer Price Index in 2021 than have been seen in recent years, Social Security benefits and qualified retirement plan limits will rise significantly in 2022, according to recent announcements from the IRS and...

October 28 2021

Ten Pension Terms That Make You Go Hmmmm...

All industries have their own lingo. The pension industry is no different. No one would expect someone who doesn’t work in the field to readily know what “AFTAP,” “SB,” “11(g),” or “rate group” mean.

November 20 2020

When It’s a Mistake to Call Something a “Mistake of Fact”

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So goes the internet meme based on Inigo Montoya’s complaint to Vizzini about his use of the word "inconceivable" in The Princess Bride movie. In the pension business, there...

October 29 2020

Out with 2020, In with the 2021 Retirement Plan Rates and Limits

As we head toward the close of this turbulent year, we have learned that most IRS limits related to qualified retirement plans will hold steady in 2021. Retirees receiving Social Security benefits will receive another modest increase, while PBGC prem...

October 16 2019

What Is the REAL Deadline for Making Plan Contributions?

When it comes to depositing employer contributions into qualified retirement plans, we are often asked what the deadline is for making these contributions. Believe it or not, that is not an easy question to answer. I suppose one way to look at it is ...

May 08 2019

What to Know about Your 401(k) Plan

We all know the saying Knowledge is Power. This quote hits the mark when it comes to retirement plans – for both the participant and plan sponsor. Being equally important, I will discuss what you should know about your plan from both perspectives. Pl...

April 17 2019

IRS Reverses Position on Retiree Lump Sum Windows

In a somewhat surprising reversal of guidance issued four years ago, the IRS announced recently that it is okay to offer retirees and beneficiaries who are currently receiving annuity payments under a defined benefit plan a temporary option to elect ...

March 20 2019

Considerations Before Excluding Bonuses in 401(k)

During the implementation a 401(k) plan, a retirement plan consultant sits with the plan sponsor and explains the various plan design options. There is a lot of flexibility offered, but some provisions carry a level of risk that is greater than other...