ERISA News

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has introduced a pair of bills to help family caregivers better prepare for retirement. According to a press release, the Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act (S. 4292) would allow family caregivers to contribute to a Roth IRA even though they may not satisfy the earned income requirement in support of the contribution. A qualified family caregiver is someone who provides more than 500 hours of in-home care to a child or to an adult with a special need or age-related condition—and has completed fewer than 500 hours of paid employment. 

Representatives Greg Steube (R-FL), and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), have introduced the Optimizing Participant Tax Incentives through Optional Noncash Selections (OPTIONS) Act. The proposal builds off of guidance previously issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in private letter ruling (PLR) 202434006. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for severe winter storms in the state of Mississippi until June 8, 2026. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on January 23, 2026. Affected individuals and households that reside or have business in Mississippi, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2026- 26, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations.

Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced H.R. 8221, the First-Time Homebuyer Savings Act in the House. The bill is one of several that have been unveiled in recent weeks intended to make home buying more achievable. According to a press release, the bill would do the following.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for flooding and mudslides due to severe storms in the state of Hawaii until July 8, 2026. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on March 10, 2026. Affected individuals and households that reside or have business in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for winter storm Fern in the state of Tennessee until May 22, 2026. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on January 22, 2026. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Maury, McNairy, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Summer, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.

The Internal Revenue Service has released an updated draft Form 8955-SSA, Annual Registration Statement Identifying Separated Participants With Deferred Vested Benefits. Retirement plan sponsors use this form to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) if a former employee has vested benefits remaining in the plan.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a draft Form 5498-TA, Trump Account Contribution Information, which will be used by trustees to report tax year contributions to Trump accounts. 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has posted a draft 2026 tax year Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.