Businesses with a large number of union employees can often feel trapped in union-sponsored pension plans. This is because “withdrawal liability” — i.e., the employer’s share of an underfunded multiemployer pension plan’s liabilities — can be huge, easily in the tens of millions of dollars. However, as explained below, there is an exemption that employers
The SUB way: An alternative to severance plans
Severance plans are designed to provide income to employees who are terminated, laid off or voluntarily quit. In contrast, a supplemental unemployment benefits (SUB) plan is designed to supplement a former employee’s state unemployment benefits after an involuntary termination.
SUB plans have tax advantages compared to severance plans but also present unique issues any employer
Seventh Circuit enforces ERISA forum selection clause
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit joined the Sixth Circuit in holding that forum selection clauses in plan documents are valid and enforceable under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
In recent years, the question of whether forum selection clauses are enforceable under ERISA has been litigated in many
Fifth Circuit finds settlement of pension funding class action case to be unfair
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ordered a Mississippi district court judge to reconsider approval of a $150 million settlement deal regarding an underfunded pension plan.
In Jones v. Singing River Health Servs. Found., No. 16-60550, 2017 WL 3178624 (5th Cir. July 27, 2017), Singing River Health Services Foundation (SRHS)
Feed the bears: Pre-game meals as tax deduction
The U.S. Tax Court ruled on June 26, 2017, that the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League could deduct the full cost of meals before the team’s 41-plus away games in the regular season and playoffs. The decision provides a clear path for professional sports teams — and potentially other employers in similar situations
Is it time to bring back the TRASOP and PAYSOP?
In 1975, a mere 42 years ago, Congress enacted Section 301 of the Tax Reduction Act of 1975 authorizing a tax-credit driven employee stock ownership plan known as a TRASOP – Tax Reduction Act Stock Ownership Plan. An employer that adopted a TRASOP could claim an extended investment tax credit against its federal income taxes
What will tax reform do to retirement plans?
Although the Trump administration has floated a general tax reform proposal, little detail has been provided. However, it is clear that additional revenue will be needed to fund the tax cuts the president proposed. Retirement plans are a likely target, as they were responsible for a reduction in federal revenues by $83 billion in 2016
Enforceability of arbitration agreements with class action waivers becoming hot topic in ERISA litigation
Recent Supreme Court decisions permitting class action waivers in arbitration agreements opened the door to the question of whether such an agreement would be enforceable under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). (See American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant and AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion.) The wave of class action
Republican alternative to Affordable Care Act unveiled
The Republican leadership in the House of Representatives has introduced legislation titled the American Health Care Act to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The proposal actually would leave in place a significant portion of the ACA, including those parts affecting Medicare and many insurance reforms.
Among the ACA provisions that have been preserved
Q&A: New HRAs for small employers
Thanks to the 21st Century Cures Act, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, some employers can now offer employees a new type of health reimbursement arrangement, called a Qualified Small Employer HRA. Primarily governed by 26 U.S.C. § 9831(d), these HRAs are designed to help subsidize employees’ purchase of health coverage on the exchange, although they