Department of Labor finalizes regulation aimed at improving access to investment advice for 401(k) plan participants *

USA - November 30 2011
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued final regulations (the “Regulations”) allowing employee benefit plan fiduciaries, including mutual fund houses and investment advisory firms, to receive compensation from investment vehicles they recommend to participants in 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans and beneficiaries of IRAs, so long as the adviser satisfies certain conditions.

Co-authors: Sarah E. Downie.

Significant new developments for benefit plan fiduciaries *

USA - October 10 2011
Because most benefit plans are structured as “calendar-year plans”, fall is traditionally the busiest season for plan fiduciaries who must deal with issues relating to annual enrollment (typically held in the fall) and comply with various year-end plan filing and employee notification requirements (such as annual notices dealing with automatic enrollment or default investment options).

Dodd-Frank provisions relating to corporate governance, executive compensation and disclosure *

USA - July 26 2010
On July 15, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank") and President Obama signed the bill into law on July 21.

Co-authors: Mike Delikat, Richard Vernon Smith .