On May 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) finalized its proposed regulation expanding electronic delivery for retirement plan disclosures. On balance, the final regulation is generally consistent with the proposed regulation, although there are a number of key differences, including the addition of a new “direct email” delivery option not included
Disclosure
Guide to DOL’s New “Notice and Access” Proposal for Electronic Delivery
By Seth Safra & Jennifer Rigterink on
On October 23, 2019, the Department of Labor published a new proposed regulation that paves the way for “notice and access” electronic delivery of certain disclosures for retirement plans. The proposal is welcome news for plan sponsors and administrators who have been frustrated by the existing “opt-in” regime for electronic disclosure. But the proposal is…
ERISA’s Duty To Inform – Distinguishing Between Existing and Possible Benefits
By Benjamin Flaxenburg on
A recent ERISA opinion gives us occasion to point out the important distinction under ERISA concerning fiduciary duties as they pertain to existing benefits and possible benefits. In this case, the plaintiff alleged that defendants misrepresented to her that her retirement benefit plan would not change or would only change to her advantage after the…
District Court Rules Privately-Held Stock Plan Fiduciary May Have Affirmative Duty To Disclose
By Neil V. Shah on
A federal district court in Georgia held that plan fiduciaries of a closely-held company’s single stock ERISA fund may have a duty to disclose material, non-public information concerning the value of the company’s shares when the information could have a potentially extreme negative effect on a plan participant. The plaintiffs were participants in defendant Stiefel…