ERISA News

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued Advisory Opinion 2025-04A, addressing how a lifetime income investment may satisfy the requirements to be a qualified default investment alternative (QDIA) in a defined contribution plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

The Internal Revenue Service has issued draft Form 5498-ESA, Coverdell ESA Contribution Information. Form 5498-ESA is used to report Coverdell education savings account beneficiary and custodian/trustee information, tax identification and account numbers, annual contributions, and rollovers.

The Internal Revenue Service has released a draft Form 5498-SA, HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA Information. This form is used to report annual contributions, rollovers, fair market value, and taxpayer-specific information for these accounts, which are designed for the accumulation of funds for healthcare expenses, in association with high deductible health insurance plans.

The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation has issued a final rule updating interest assumptions under the asset allocation regulation for plans with valuation dates in the fourth quarter of 2025. These interest assumptions are used for valuing benefits under terminating single-employer plans. The rule is effective July 31, 2025.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Wisconsin severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and mudslides until February 2, 2026. The tax relief postpones various tax filing deadlines that began on August 9, 2025.

Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Todd Young (R-IN) have introduced S. 2867, the Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act to help more people buy their first home.

The Senate has confirmed Daniel Aronowitz as Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) as part of a slate of nominees by a 51 to 47 vote. Mr. Aronowitz was nominated by President Trump on February 11, 2025.

The IRS has released a draft 2026 Form W-4R, Withholding Certificate for Nonperiodic Payments and Eligible Rollover Distributions.

Effective September 17, 2025, the prime interest rate decreased to 7.25 percent. The prime interest rate is largely determined by the federal funds rate, as set by the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

The House Education and Workforce Committee has advanced several retirement bills following a markup. According to a press release, the following proposals were passed by the committee.

• H.R. 2958, the “Balancing the Scales Act” sponsored by Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH).
• H.R. 2869, the “EBSA Investigations Transparency Act”, sponsored by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI).
• H.R. 5169, the “Retire through Ownership Act”, authored by Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA).