ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide, 7th Edition

Book excerpt: The Seventh Edition of ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide provides a thorough and authoritative analysis of the principal statutory provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the corresponding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) dealing with employee benefits. It also discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA; the Code provisions relating to the requirements for tax-qualified retirement plans; and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA and such Code provisions. Cited by the Supreme Court, ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide discusses and explains the multitude of regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by the Department of the Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in explanation of ERISA and the subsequent legislation amending or supplementing ERISA. ERISA: A Comprehensive Guide offers benefits professionals in-depth, timely coverage of significant developments, case law, and rulemaking in the past year: Legislative and regulatory activity continues to keep all pension professionals alert and busy. During the period 2020-2021, additional guidance was released clarifying the provisions of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Defined benefit plan sponsors got some relief in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) during 2021 Relief provided under the ARPA of 2021 allowed for the use of interest rate stabilization provided certain disclosures are met and funding shortfall amortization options The IRS released an update to the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System under Revenue Procedure 2021-30. Changes included enhancements of the self-correction program, the modification of overpayment corrections, and the replacement of anonymous Voluntary Correction Program filings with anonymous presubmission conferences The DOL issued guidance for fiduciaries regarding the importance of safeguarding participant data using vigorous cybersecurity protocols, and lawsuits provided further direction for proper fiduciary oversight Analysis of the recent court decisions regarding the use of arbitration to resolve disputes Discussion of the impact of state established programs, such as CalSavers, and the court's position that such programs are not preempted nor do they interfere with ERISA's core purposes Discussion of the additional benefits ARPA had on distressed multiemployer retirement plans Impact of ARPA on COBRA notice disclosure requirements Analysis of the reversal of National Labor Relation Board decisions by the new administration and the updated decisions coming from the Democrat-controlled Board