ERISA News

Recent legislation passed by Congress includes several provisions that enhance the ability of workers to increase their retirement savings. One of these provisions, Section 110 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0), also enhances the ability of employers that sponsor a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), or a SIMPLE IRA plan to supplement workers’ retirement savings by providing matching contributions to employees who make qualified student loan payments (QSLPs) in 2024 and later plan years.

The IRS has issued Revenue Ruling 2024-21 which contains the applicable federal rates (AFR) for October 2024. These rates are used for such purposes as calculating distributions from retirement savings arrangements that meet the requirements for substantially equal periodic payments (a 10 percent early distribution penalty tax exception), also referred to as “72(t) payments.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 16, 2024, for Louisiana hurricane Francine for the incident period of September 9 – September 12, 2024. 

The IRS has indicated that application steps for pre-approved plan document providers seeking to obtain IRS approval of defined contribution and defined benefit arrangements is changing to incorporate electronic filing requirements. Beginning August 1, 2024, providers must submit Forms 4461 or 4461-B electronically, completing steps to pay for and submit the application on pay.gov. Also, beginning September 1, 2024, providers must submit Forms 4461-A or 4461-C electronically, completing on Pay.gov. Paper submissions after these dates will not be processed.

Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and co-sponsor Deborah Ross (D-NC), have introduced the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act. According to a press release, the bill would allow pet owners to use their health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for up to $1,000 for veterinary care or pet health insurance.

The IRS has issued Notice 2024-65 requesting comments on implementation of sections 103 and 104 of SECURE 2.0 regarding the Saver’s Match contributions and the Treasury Department’s obligations to promote the new Saver’s Match. The Saver’s Match is a replacement of the Saver’s Credit beginning in 2027 providing a government funded matching contribution to certain eligible participants who claim the match on their tax return.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on September 11, 2024, for Vermont severe storms and flooding, for the incident period of August 22–August 24, 2024. 

The Department of Labor has issued a compliance assistance release clarifying that cybersecurity guidance issued in April 2021 applies to all types of ERISA plans, including health and welfare plans and all employee pension benefit plans. The guidance package includes tips for hiring a service provider, cybersecurity program best practices, and online security tips.

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced the Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act. The bill would make tax credits available to tax exempt small employers for employer plan startup costs and the auto-enrollment credit.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms and flooding in New York. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on August 18, 2024. Affected individuals and households who reside or have a business in Suffolk county, as well as taxpayers with records located in the covered area that are needed to meet covered deadlines, qualify for relief.