COVID-19

Understanding the CARES Act: Coronavirus-Related Distributions (CRDs)

Understanding the CARES Act: Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Waiver

Technology-Enabled Service Provider Shares Insights, Analysis, and Educational Resources

Dresher, PA—Ascensus, whose technology and expertise help millions of people save for retirement, education, and healthcare, is supporting institutional partners, advisors, and their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic via a variety of approaches that include COVID-19-specific resources, infographics, behavioral analytics, legislative insights, and more.

Understanding the CARES Act: Expanded Health and Dependent Care Options

The IRS released a five-part Q&A on the temporary partial plan termination rules for qualified retirement plans in accordance with the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (the Act). Generally, there is a presumption that a partial plan termination has taken place when an employer’s turnover rate is at least 20 percent during the plan year. Partial plan termination requires those participants covered under the portion of the plan that is terminated to be fully vested.

President Biden has signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act one day after the House of Representatives voted to pass the amended package. Several provisions directly affect tax-advantaged savings arrangements.

Following Senate passage on Saturday, the House of Representatives has passed by a vote of 220-211 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19. Included in the package are several items that would affect retirement and health benefits.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an interim final rule effective March 4, 2021, that would allow business owners who file an IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, to use gross income rather than net earnings from self-employment in determining payroll costs for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Previously, PPP rules defined payroll costs for individuals who file an IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, as payroll costs (if there are employees) plus net profits, which is net earnings from self-employment.

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (the Departments) have issued "FAQs About Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Implementation Part 44" (the FAQs).

The House of Representatives has passed by a vote of 219-212 the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19. Noteworthy retirement and health provisions include the following.