Pension News in 2017
The following list tracks important guidance that was released during 2017. These items are summarized in detail, with appropriate commentary, in our quarterly newsletter, eRISA Update, which is published every January, April, July and October. See our Newsletters page to sign up for eRISA Update. Legislative Developments
- Joint resolution of Congress nullifies regulation to exempt mandatory IRA programs of States and their political subdivisions from ERISA [H.J. Res. 67 (April 13, 2017); H.J. Res. 66 (May 17, 2017]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2ovqHi4 (H.R. 67) and https://bit.ly/2q0aOz9 (H.R. 66)
- Congress provides liberalized distribution, rollover and loan rules for certain taxpayers affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria; provides relief from premature distribution penalty [Citation: Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 (Title V) (“DTRA”), P.L. 115-63 (September 29, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jc4ByI
- Congress provides liberalized distribution, rollover and loan rules, and premature distribution penalty relief for certain taxpayers affected by 2016 disasters; recharacterization of Roth conversion prohibited after 2017; changes to compensation that could affect section 415 limits; extended period to rollover loan offsets; UBTI calculations for separate businesses; covered employee definition under IRC §162(m); qualified equity grants [Citation: Section 11028 of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), P.L. 115-97 (December 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2Cj4s5E
- Congress provides liberalized distribution, rollover and loan rules, and premature distribution penalty relief for certain taxpayers affected by California Wildfires [Citation: Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (“BBA2018”), P.L. 115-123 (February 9, 2018)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2EnEhef
Treasury Regulations
- Forfeitures may be used to reduced employer’s contribution liability for QNECs, QMACs and 401(k)(12) safe harbor contributions [Citation: Prop. Treas. Reg. §§1.401(k)-1(g)(5), 1.401(k)-6, 1.401(m)-1(d)(4), and 1.401(m)-5, 82 F.R. 5477-5480 (January 18, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2k06v4m
- Mortality tables for post-2017 plan years; expanded availability of substitute mortality tables [Citation: Treas. Reg. §§1.430(h)(3)-1, 1.430(h)(3)-2, and 1.431(c)(6)-1, 82 F.R. 46388 (October 5, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2ggYDfs
IRS Guidance
- Annual update of general procedures for obtaining Employee Plans determination letters and private letter rulings; user fees set for 2017[Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-4, 2017-1 I.R.B. (January 3, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hMvZRn
- IRS guidance on user fee waiver for certain small employers that submit for determination letters after 2016 [Citation: Notice 2017-1, 2017-2 I.R.B. (January 9, 2017) (advance release on December 19, 2016)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2i8MfwC
- IRS issues guidance on election for de minimis error safe harbor rule not to apply to incorrect payee statements (including Form 1099-R) [Citation: Notice 2017-9, 2017-4 (January 23, 2017; advance release on January 4, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/n17-09
- Remedial amendment period for section 403(b) plans announced [Rev. Proc. 2017-18, 2017-5 I.R.B. (January 30, 2017; advance release on January 13, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jh22gQ
- IRS posts initial Operational Compliance List on its website [Citation: Operational Compliance List (February 27, 2017), www.irs.gov]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2mLabbv
- IRS Examination Guidelines on substantiation of hardship distributions [Citation: Memorandum for EP Examinations Employees: Substantiation Guidelines for Safe Harbor Distributions from Section 401(k) Plans, from Thomas J. Petit, Acting Director, EP Examinations (February 23, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2m8FLTs
- IRS identifies types of compensation-based formulas under cash balance plans that may raise definitely determinable benefit issues [Citation: Memorandum for Employee Plans (EP) Employees from Lisa J. Beard, Acting Director, Employee Plans, Control No. TE/GE-04-0417-0014 (April 7, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2on5HcY
- IRS memorandum to exam agents allows for two interpretations of how $50,000 limit under IRC §72(p) applies to multiple loans during a 12-month period [Citation: Memorandum For EP Examinations Employees, Control No. TEGE-04-0717-0020 (July 26, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2wbCogg
- IRS memorandum sets forth revised criteria for mandatory review of determination letter cases [Citation: Memorandum on Changes in Tax Exempt Quality Management System and Mandatory Review Standards, TE/GE-07-0417-0018 (April 28, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2oYeNAz
- Revised procedure for Pre-Approved Plans combines M&P plans and volume submitter plans into a single category of Pre-Approved Plans, expands plan eligible to use Pre-Approved Plan Documents, delays third on-cycle submission period for Defined Contribution Pre-Approved Plans [Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-41, 2017-29 I.R.B. (July 17, 2017) (advance release on July 3, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2tvvowE
- 2017 Cumulative List issued for review of Pre-Approved DC Plans in the 3rd remedial amendment cycle [Citation: Notice 2017-37, I.R.B. 2017-29 (July 17, 2017) (advance release on July 3, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2sqmTDP
- Updated of procedures for requesting approval of a proposed benefit suspension under a multiemployer defined benefit plan in critical and declining status, as permitted under IRC §432(e)(9); model notice to participants provided [Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-43, 2017-31 I.R.B. (July 31, 2017) (advance release on July 13, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2tfWT9E
- IRS issues model amendments for offering bifurcated benefit distribution options that will comply with Treas. Reg. §1.417(e)-1(d)(7) [Citation: Notice 2017-44, 2017-36 I.R.B. (September 5, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2whg2h1
- Extension of temporary relief for certain DB/DC combo plans involving a “closed” DB plan to pre-2019 plan years [Citation: Notice 2017-45, 2017-38 I.R.B. (September 18, 2017)
Text available at http://bit.ly/2xUySbc
- The IRS has granted penalty relief for partnerships that, for the 2016 tax year, filed returns by the old due date rather than the new due date. [Citation: Notice 2017-47, 2017-38 I.R.B. (September 18, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2xp3BB1
- IRS provides relief from certain verification procedures that may be required for participant loans and hardship distributions to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and California Wildfires [Citation: Announcement 2017-11, 2017-39 I.R.B. (September 25, 2017; advance release on August 30, 2017); Announcement 2017-13, 2017-40 I.R.B. (October 2, 2017; advance release on September 13, 2017); Announcement 2017-15, 2017-47 I.R.B. (November 20, 2017; advance release on October 31, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2vtcM2G (Announcement 2017-11) (Harvey), http://bit.ly/2vSUDaJ (Announcement 2017-13) (Irma), http://bit.ly/2hX4Gqc (Announcement 2017-15) (Maria and Wildfires)
- IRS, DOL and PBGC jointly providing relief for pension plans affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma [Notice 2017-49, 2017-40 (October 2, 2017; advance release on September 13, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2vTnr2U
- DOL provides relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and California Wildfires [Citation: DOL News Release 17-1216-NAT (August 30, 2017) (Harvey), DOL News Release 17-1297-NAT (September 15, 2017) (Irma), EBSA News Release (November 21, 2017) (Maria and California Wildfires), Extension of Certain Time Frames for Employee Benefit Plans Affected by Hurricane Maria, 82 F.R. 55507 (November 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jJ0Xjk (Hurricane Harvey), http://bit.ly/2hiAmoX (Hurricane Irma), http://bit.ly/2A0tfdD (Hurricane Maria and California Wildfires), http://bit.ly/2hVdekH (Joint Regulatory Relief from DOL and Treasury)
- Revised procedures issued for requesting approval to use plan-specific substitute mortality tables for minimum funding purposes [Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-55, 2017-43 I.R.B. (October 23, 2017) (advance release on October 3, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hJB2r7
- Static mortality tables released for IRC §417(e) determinations for annuity starting dates that occur in stability periods beginning in 2018; alternative static mortality tables 2018 valuation dates for plans electing transition rule in new regulations [Citation: Notice 2017-60, 2017-43 I.R.B. (October 23, 2017) (advance release on October 3, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2xVYvuS
- Update of IRS procedures for automatic approvals in funding method changes [Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-56, 2017-44 I.R.B. (October 30, 2017); advance release on October 11, 2017]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hBUvGM
- Procedures for obtaining IRS approval of funding method changes not covered by automatic approval procedure [Citation: Rev. Proc. 2017-57, 2017-44 I.R.B. (October 30, 2017); advance release on October 11, 2017]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hDUFxn
- Adjusted dollar limits for 2018 [Citation: Notice 2017-64, 2017-45 I.R.B. (November 6, 2017) (advance release on October 19, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2gSqoeH
- Partnership 2016 plan contribution timely if contributed by deadline that would have applied had statutory changes not been made to tax filing deadlines [Citation: Notice 2017-71, 2017-51 I.R.B. (December 18, 2017) (advance release on November 30, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2AlX4HE
- 2017 Required Amendment List issued by the IRS [Citation: Notice 2017-72, 2017-52 I.R.B. (December 26, 2017) (advance release on December 5, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jjR0GH
IRS General Counsel Memoranda, Field Service Advice, Chief Counsel Advice, Private Letter Rulings and Technical Advice Memoranda
- Election offered by State to receive enhanced subsidized early retirement pension or a lump sum cash payment was an impermissible cash or deferred arrangement [Citation: PLR 201722014 (March 2, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2qJtjca
- IRS analyzes several scenarios under back-to-back arrangement rule [Citation: CCA 201725027 (March 6, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2rLV0S8
- IRS memorandum to exam agents allows for two interpretations of how $50,000 limit under IRC §72(p) applies to multiple loans during a 12-month period [Citation: Memorandum For EP Examinations Employees, Control No. TEGE-04-0717-0020 (July 26, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2wbCogg
- IRS memorandum clarifies how the maximum cure period works when installment payments are missed and missed payments later covered by resumed installment payments or by refinancing of the loan [Citation: CCA 201736022 (August 30, 2017) (released September 8, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly2xDsvgF
- IRS examiners told not to challenge plans that have not made timely RMDs to missing participants if reasonable search steps have been taken [Citation: TEGE-04-1017-003 (October 19, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2yYH6AK
- IRS Chief Counsel addresses whether certain arrangements involving retirement income accounts under a church-maintained 403(b) plan would violate the exclusive benefit rule [Citation: Chief Counsel Memorandum 201742022 (October 20, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2id3mPj
DOL Regulations
- Civil penalty adjustments for 2017 [Citation: DOL Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2017, DOL Reg. 2575.3, 82 F.R. 5373-5387 (January 18, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jx9Qet
- DOL delays the Applicability Date of the fiduciary regulation and associated prohibited transaction exemptions, provides extended delay for requirements other than the Impartial Conduct Standards [Citation: Extension of Applicability Date of DOL Reg. §2510.3-21, PTEs 2016-01 and 2016-02, and amendments to PTEs 75-1, 77-4, 80-83, 83-1, 84-24 and 86-128, 82 F.R. 16902-16918 (April 7, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2oJupYf
- Proposed regulations that would have required a separate guide to locate specific required information for lengthy or multi-document 408(b)(2) disclosures has been withdrawn from the DOL’s regulatory agenda [Citation: Semiannual Agenda of Regulations (Department of Labor):, Guide or Similar Requirement for Section 408(b)(2) Disclosures, 82 F.R. 40315 (August 24, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2wrHU2n
- DOL delays the Applicability Date of revised disability claims regulation to April 1, 2018 [Prop. DOL Reg. §2560.503-1(p)(3) and (4), 82 F.R. 56560 (November 29, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2Bmjnum
- DOL delays the Applicability Date of the requirements (other than the Impartial Conduct Standards) of the Best Interest Contract Exemption, the Principal Transaction Exemption, and amendments to PTE 84-24 to July 1, 2019 [Citation: 18-month Extension of Transition Period and Delay of Applicability Dates, 82 F.R. 56545 (November 29, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2Agczkt
DOL Formal Guidance/Prohibited Transaction Exemptions
- DOL provides relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and California Wildfires [Citation: DOL News Release 17-1216-NAT (August 30, 2017) (Harvey), DOL News Release 17-1297-NAT (September 15, 2017) (Irma), EBSA News Release (November 21, 2017) (Maria and California Wildfires), Extension of Certain Time Frames for Employee Benefit Plans Affected by Hurricane Maria, 82 F.R. 55507 (November 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jJ0Xjk (Hurricane Harvey), http://bit.ly/2hiAmoX (Hurricane Irma), http://bit.ly/2A0tfdD (Hurricane Maria and California Wildfires), http://bit.ly/2hVdekH (Joint Regulatory Relief from DOL and Treasury)
PBGC Regulations and Other Guidance
- Civil penalty adjustments for 2017 [Citation: PBGC Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2017, PBGC Reg. §§4071.3 and 4302.3, 82 F.R. 8813-8814 (January 31, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2jqqe1g
- PBGC disaster relief provided for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and California Wildfires [Citation: Disaster Relief Announcements 17-09 through 17-19 (August 29 through October 24, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2fzXA9V (PBGC’s disaster relief webpage)
- PBGC prescribes an alternative method for determining whether reporting an attribution event to the PBGC is required under PBGC Reg. §4043.23(a)(2) [Citation: Technical Update 17-1 (September 15, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hlRGJE
- PBGC adds optional participation in missing participant transfer program for most DC plans and non-covered DB plans; modifies missing participant procedures for terminated Title IV-covered plans; and extends missing participant procedures to terminated multiemployer DB plans [Citation: PBGC Reg. §§4050.101-4050.407, 82 F.R. 60800 (December 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2BpdVY9
EBSA Advisory Opinions, Field Assistance Bulletins and other informal guidance
- DOL issues FAQs on the conflict-of-interest exemptions issued in conjunction with the expanded definition of investment advice fiduciary [Citation: Conflict of Interest Exemptions FAQs - Part I (October 2016); Conflict of Interest Exemptions FAQs - Part II (January 2017); Consumer Protections for Retirement Investors - FAQs on Your Rights and Financial Advisers (January 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2fn686v (Part I of Conflict FAQs), http://bit.ly/2jJWoS9 (Part II of Conflict FAQs), http://bit.ly/2iosrdd (Investor FAQs)
- DOL adopts temporary nonenforcement policy during Transition Period under conflict of interest exemptions and issues FAQs regarding compliance during such period [Citation: Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2017-02 (May 22, 2017); Conflict of Interest FAQs (Transition Period) (May 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2qLxuGY (FAB 2017-02); http://bit.ly/2wNqbPU (Transition Period FAQs)
Attention: The DOL has proposed to further extension of the Transition Period through July 1, 2019, during which only the Impartial Conduct Standards will apply under the BIC Exemption, the Principal Transactions Exemption, and the revised version of PTE 84-24.
- DOL issues additional FAQs that excuse service providers from expressly disclosing fiduciary status in 408(b)(2) disclosures during the Transition Period under the BIC and Principal Transaction Exemptions, and address the application of the Fiduciary Rule to recommendations to increase contributions and plan participation [Citation: Conflict of Interest FAQs (408b-2 Transition Period, Recommendations to Increase Contributions and Plan Participation) (August 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2vtY4ao
- DOL will not enforce the limitation on arbitration in the Best Interest Contract and Principal Transactions Exemptions [Citation: Field Assistance Bulletin 2017-03 (August 30, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2wiUEqR
ERISA Litigation
- IRS could not recharacterize dividends paid to Roth IRAs through a DISC as contributions made by the owners of the Roth IRAs where transactions were structured exactly as the tax code requires [Citation: Summa Holdings, Inc. v. Commissioner, 848 F.3d 779 (6th Cir. February 16, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2m61U2a
- Administrator acted arbitrarily in interpreting plan language that clearly applied under the claimants’ situation regarding involuntarily termination from the controlled group [Citation: Knowlton v. Anheuser-Busch Companies Pension Plan, No. 15-3538, 849 F.3d 422 (8th Cir. February 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2luQgjr
- Damages award on fiduciary breach with respect to substitution of default investment fund vacated because district court failed to consider other damages calculation other than a suggested alternative mentioned by the appellate court in the earlier opinion [Citation: Tussey v. ABB, Inc., 850 F.3d 951 (8th Cir. (MO) March 9, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2mP9dPn
- Supreme Court holds “principal purpose organization” of church may establish and maintain a church plan that is exempt from ERISA [Citation: Advocate Health Care Network v. Stapleton, 137 S.Ct. 1652 (June 5, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2s9UDEr
- Promissory estoppel claim against health insurer ruled not preempted by ERISA because medical provider did not receive valid assignment of payment and received an independent promise from insurer [Citation: McCulloch Orthopaedic Surgical Services, PLLC v. Aetna, Inc., 857 F.3d 141 (2nd Cir. May 18, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2fQtJxA
- Reformation of defined benefit plan ordered by court because of fraudulent concealment of the wear-away effect of replacing the plan’s traditional benefit formula with a cash balance formula [Citation: Osberg v. Foot Locker, Inc., 862 F.3d 198 (2nd Cir. July 6, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2wxkZiQ
- Arizona’s revocation-on-divorce statute resulted in forfeiture of former spouse’s rights to IRA after IRA owner’s death; contractual choice-of-law provision not followed [Citation: Lazar v. Kronke, 862 F.3d 1186 (9th Cir. July 14, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2ueKSVI
- Amendment adopted after participant no longer was working union jobs but before he resumed union work did not result in anti-cutback violation because it only affected the rate of future accruals [Citation: Morrone v. Pension Fund of Local No. One, I.A.T.S.E., 867 F.3d 326 (2nd Cir. August 14, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2hN7EAs
- Participant who declined generous job transfer offer to take lump sum option that had been incorrectly calculated may move forward with his surcharge claim against plan fiduciaries [Citation: Retirement Committee of DAK Americas LLC v. Brewer, 867 F.3d 471 (4th Cir. August 14, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2uGXAyI
- Second Circuit finds one-year statute of limitations for civil forfeitures under State law applies to section 502(c)(1) claims [Citation: Brown v. Rawlings Financial Services, LLC, 868 F.3d 126 (2nd Cir. August 22, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2knKh15
- Interpretation of document to assume continued base salary during the participant’s disability period was reasonable even though it resulted in a lower average compensation calculation for the participant [Citation: Dowling v. Pension Plan For Salaried Employees, 817 F.3d 239 (3rd Cir. September 15, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2xqBBw0
- The 6-year statute of limitations under ERISA §413 regarding fiduciary breach actions may be waived by the defendant [Citation: Secretary of Labor v. Preston, No. 873 F.3d 877 (11th Cir. October 12, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2x0YqTM
- Entire course of litigation needs to be considered to determine whether a party’s request for appellate attorney’s fees should be granted [Citation: Micha v. Sun Life Assurance of Canada, 874 F.3d 1052 (9th Cir. October 31, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2niqQIJ
- Sixth Circuit applies “clearly specifies” test to determine that divorce decree met the statutory requirements of a QDRO [Citation: Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada v. Jackson, 877 F.3d 698 (6th Cir. November 28, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2qnTtpi
- Tenth Circuit tackles issue of what is a “principal purpose organization” for purposes of the church plan exemption from ERISA [Citation: Medina v. Catholic Health Initiatives, 877 F.3d 1213 (10th Cir. December 19, 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2CN45Uk
Miscellaneous Guidance
- SEC’s Division of Investment Management provides guidance on how robo-advisers meet obligations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [Citation: IM Guidance Update 2017-02 (February 2017)]
Text available at http://bit.ly/2lrmGaY
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