General Issues

How Does Your Retirement Program Stack Up? - 2008 Highlights  — Summary: Provides total and industry group benchmark data that encompasses the three policy levers of Mercer's Integrated Retirement Financial Management framework - design, contributions and investment. Employers can use this information as a governance tool to evaluate the performance of their own plans. Located at: Mercer. Click on headline for full article.

Immediate Income Annuities in DC Plans  — Summary: With the growing interest in retirement income, you may be among the defined contribution plan sponsors weighing whether your plan should offer an immediate income annuity within the plan as a distribution option. Located at: Vanguard Group (PDF File ). Click on headline for full article.

Defining Spouse: Higher Stakes Than Ever for Employers  — Summary: In light of conflicting trends and new laws, the prevalence of spousal benefits rights and features in employee benefit plans , and a variety of tax consequences, all employers should consider reviewing how their benefit plans define spouse, and the plan design and administration issues mentioned in this article. Located at: Thompson Publishing Group (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

Defined-Benefit Plans Still in the Retirement Mix  — Summary: A new Watson Wyatt study finds a noticeable slowdown in large companies ditching their defined-benefit offerings. Hybrid plans are staging a minor comeback. Located at: Workforce.com (free registration may be required). Click on headline for full article.

As 401k Audit Season Starts, Sponsors Face Tougher Standards  — Summary: Auditors will be asking more questions and requesting more documentation because new, stricter audit standards , known as the " risk assessment standards ." Located at: 401khelpcenter.com . Click on headline for full article.

Court and Legislative Items

Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act  — Summary: President Bush signed the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (the "HEART Act"). The HEART Act addresses the treatment of payments made to individuals who are called to active military service, provides mandatory and optional changes to the treatment of reservists on active military duty under retirement plans, and permits special distributions from health flexible spending arrangements to employees who are called to active military service. Located at: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP. Click on headline for full article.

House Considers Mandating Employer IRA Plans  — Summary: The House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee held hearings on bills that would encourage employers to automatically enroll their employees in individual retirement account plans . Located at: webCPA.com . Click on headline for full article.

Research

Why Data Matters: Generating Value from Retirement Plan Data  — Summary: This white paper outlines the process through which retirement plan data can be used to enhance plan value, performance and participant engagement; streamline or reduce administration; and help plan fiduciaries meet their obligations. Located at: MassMutual Center for Behavioral Research (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.

Highlights from Form 5500 Reports  — Summary: Using Form 5500 reports, this analysis looks at total participants, contributions, benefit disbursements and assets of retirement plans with at least 100 participants for 2005 and retirement plan trends since 1975. Located at: Watson Wyatt. Click on headline for full article.

DOL and IRS Issues

DOL Amends and Supplements QDIA Regulation  — Summary: In April, plan fiduciaries received further guidance from the DOL regarding the administration of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives - investments made by plan fiduciaries on behalf of participants or beneficiaries in individual account plans who fail to direct the investment of assets. Located at: Trucker Huss. Click on headline for full article.

IRS Employee Plans Newsletter - Summer 2008 Edition  — Summary: This edition contains articles such as Steven T. Miller, TE/GE Commissioner, Speaks at Mid-Atlantic Benefits Conference; Form 5307 Has Been Revised; Critical Priorities...With Monika Templeman; Maintaining Electronic Records for EPTA Plans; 5500 Filing Tips - Are You a Multiemployer Plan?; Things to Remember - 2007 Forms 5500/5500EZ; We Want You...to complete our Survey; DOL; and PBGC. Located at: IRS (PDF File). Click on headline for full article.