In its latest attempt in a fourteen-year old quest to update the circa-1975 definition of a fiduciary who renders “investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect” (an “investment advice fiduciary”) under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), on April 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “Department”) released final regulations (the “Final Rule”) defining an investment advice fiduciary, as well as amendments to several prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTE”). This post summarizes the key provisions of the Final Rule and the amendments to the PTEs.
Multiemployer Pension Plans in Mergers and Acquisitions
In this insightful episode of our Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Considerations in Mergers and Acquisitions podcast series, attorneys Paul Porretta and Christopher Stock delve into the complex world of multiemployer pension plans. They discuss critical considerations for businesses contemplating the purchase of entities that contribute to these plans. Topics include evaluating the implications of multiemployer pension plan contribution obligations and withdrawal liability exposure, key diligence to focus on, and deal points the parties may consider. Join us to uncover the significant risks and liabilities associated with these plans and gain valuable insights into strategic planning for your business’ future.
T+1 Settlement & Equity Award Tax Withholding
Troutman Pepper Partner Sheri Adler recently joined Meredith Ervine on The Pay & Proxy Podcast from Compensation Standards, to discuss the upcoming shift to T+1 settlement and the impact on equity award tax withholding. The podcast can be accessed here. Topics discussed include:
IRS Issues Guidance on Secure 2.0 – What Plan Sponsors Need to Know
In late December 2023, approximately one year after Congress enacted the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2022 (“SECURE 2.0”), the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) released Notice 2024-2 (the “Notice”) providing much needed guidance, in the form of questions and answers, on 12 of the 90 new provisions added by SECURE 2.0.…
Long-Term Part-Time Employee Eligibility Rules Now in Effect
In the companion podcast to our recently published client advisory, Troutman Pepper Partners Emily Zimmer and Constance Brewster delve into the intricacies of the SECURE Act, also known as SECURE 1.0, and its successor, SECURE 2.0. They discuss the significant changes brought by these rules, the proposed regulations issued to clarify how these rules are applied, and the steps company-sponsored plans should be taking now.
Navigating the SEC’s Whistleblower Enforcement Wave: A Guide for Financial Institutions
The Consumer Finance Podcast
In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis is joined by Partners Sheri Adler and Mary Weeks to discuss the recent uptick in SEC enforcement activity related to whistleblowers. They focus on the implications for financial institutions and other companies, particularly those targeted by the SEC for documents potentially restricting whistleblowers from reporting violations of securities laws.
Navigating Employment and Separation Agreements: Lessons From Al Pacino’s Serpico
Hiring to Firing Podcast
In this episode of the Hiring to Firing Podcast, Partners Tracey Diamond and Evan Gibbs, along with fellow Partners Sheri Adler and Mary Weeks, chat about the ultimate whistleblower — police officer Frank Serpico — and the SEC’s recent crackdown on whistleblower provisions in employment and separation agreements. Listen in as the group shares a top 10 list of drafting tips to ensure compliance.
10 Tips for Whistleblower-Compliant Agreements
Troutman Pepper Partners Sheri Adler and Mary Weeks recently joined Meredith Irvine on TheCorporateCounsel.net’s Timely Takes Podcast to discuss whistleblower-compliant documents and related SEC enforcement. The podcast can be accessed here. The discussion covers:
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: Getting Ready for 2024 – Top-Hat Plans
In the final installment of our three-part Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation podcast miniseries, hosts Jim Earle and Josh Gelfand discuss the basics of top-hat plans — what they are and the necessary steps to ensure ERISA compliance.
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation: Getting Ready for 2024 – Health and Welfare Plan Developments
In the second episode of our three-part Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation podcast miniseries, hosts Lynne Wakefield and Lydia Parker discuss key health and welfare plan developments as we close out 2023 and head into 2024.