Employee Matters

Why Testing is Important for Pensions

As auditors, we are always busy performing different types of testing, especially controls and compliance-based test work. While there is a common stigma about auditors and audits in general, and they have a “gotcha” sort of mentality, there is a tremendous benefit that a company can derive from the work they perform. The truth is, our goal is to ensure that companies and organizations are complying with rules and regulations so that they can avoid costly errors, especially when it comes to defined contribution pension plans.

Life Insurance Options for Pensioners

Many employees of school districts across the Island are approaching retirement age and may not be aware of how to maximize their pension benefits. Some may not realize that with the right kind of planning, they may be able to retire sooner than they think.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Update – April 7, 2020

After a rocky launch of the PPP loan program on Friday, April 3rd, many banks and lenders have started to sort out their internal processes and client-facing applications in order to start the process of providing much-needed relief to businesses and organizations....

NYS Paid Family Leave Now Classifies COVID-19 Diagnosis as a Serious Health Condition

In light of the ever-growing Coronavirus pandemic, New York State has filed an emergency adoption to make any COVID-19 diagnosis a serious health condition. This emergency amendment was added to Title 12 NYCRR, section 355.9, making it legally possible to take family...

Paycheck Protection Program Loans

One of the most anticipated and popular provisions in the CARES Act is the expansion of Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Loans with new Paycheck Protection Program loans. These loans are non-recourse to owners, 100% Federally guaranteed and can be used to pay...

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – Individual Tax Provisions

Late on March 25, 2020, the US Senate released the final tax of the CARES Act, the third Coronavirus related Bill and much needed stimulus package. The Bill passed the House and signed into law by the President on March 27th. At this time, we want to stress to our...

Guest Article: New Executive Order Addresses Healthcare Issues

On June 24th President Trump signed an Executive order directing Health and Human Services (HHS) to write rules within 3-6 months requiring Hospitals and Medical Providers to make their standard charges and negotiated pricing available in a consumer-friendly format....

Updated Health Reimbursement Arrangements 2019

On June 13, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new regulation that is intended to increase the use of tax-favored health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) as a means of expanding...

Hardship Withdrawals

401(k) retirement plans often have a feature to allow participants to take a hardship distribution. These distributions come with stricter rules and regulations that plan management must follow. These include distribution amounts can only be taken from the...

Picking Your Pension Plan Provisions

Developing a pension plan document can be a difficult undertaking. When creating a plan document, the plan sponsor must be aware of not only IRS and ERISA regulations, but also of keeping administrative costs low while providing maximum benefit to their employees....
Payroll Tax Deferral Guidance

Payroll Tax Deferral Guidance

On Friday evening, August 28th, 2020, the IRS and Department of the Treasury released Notice 2020-65 providing brief guidance as it relates to the August 8th, 2020 executive order allowing for a potential employee payroll tax deferral. Executive Order Deferring...

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Guest Article: Cybersecurity and ERISA: Who is responsible?

Guest Article: Cybersecurity and ERISA: Who is responsible?

Cybersecurity risks are not new. We’ve been dealing with data breaches for years, and if we’ve learned one thing, it’s that hackers are smart. Hackers can infiltrate even the most complex security systems in the pursuit of personal information. It was only a matter of time until retirement plans, rich with personal information and money, fell victim to data breaches too. And like most companies navigating the aftermath of a data breach, retirement plan sponsors and service providers can easily find themselves in the midst of intense litigation.

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New Comparability Plan… Is it Right for You?

New Comparability Plan… Is it Right for You?

Pension plans should be an important part of every business’ benefits package. Not only do they let business owners/executives and employees to set aside funds for their retirement, but they provide the added ability for companies to assist in the process and make contributions on behalf of their staff, to help them better position themselves for retirement.

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Why Testing is Important for Pensions

Why Testing is Important for Pensions

As auditors, we are always busy performing different types of testing, especially controls and compliance-based test work. While there is a common stigma about auditors and audits in general, and they have a “gotcha” sort of mentality, there is a tremendous benefit that a company can derive from the work they perform. The truth is, our goal is to ensure that companies and organizations are complying with rules and regulations so that they can avoid costly errors, especially when it comes to defined contribution pension plans.

read more
Life Insurance Options for Pensioners

Life Insurance Options for Pensioners

Many employees of school districts across the Island are approaching retirement age and may not be aware of how to maximize their pension benefits. Some may not realize that with the right kind of planning, they may be able to retire sooner than they think.

read more
Paycheck Protection Program Loan Update – April 7, 2020

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Update – April 7, 2020

After a rocky launch of the PPP loan program on Friday, April 3rd, many banks and lenders have started to sort out their internal processes and client-facing applications in order to start the process of providing much-needed relief to businesses and organizations....

read more
Paycheck Protection Program Loans

Paycheck Protection Program Loans

One of the most anticipated and popular provisions in the CARES Act is the expansion of Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) Loans with new Paycheck Protection Program loans. These loans are non-recourse to owners, 100% Federally guaranteed and can be used to pay...

read more