Comments:

On February 3, 2010, ASPPA and NTSAA filed comments with the DOL requesting clarification of the application of the exemption from ERISA coverage for certain 403(b) arrangements using an “open architecture investment platform. [Comment]

On February 2, 2010, ASPPA filed a petition with the DOL regarding a potential problem with the  sharing of signing credentials under the new EFAST2 Form 5500 filing system. Also included in the filing was a supplemental letter with a proposed solution to the problem. [Comment]


Testimony:

On October 28, 2009, NAIRPA submitted comments for the record to the Senate Special Committee on Aging’s hearing entitled, “Default Nation: Are 401(k) Target Date Funds Missing the Mark?” [Comment]

On July 23, 2009, Robert Richter, Vice President of SunGard, testified on behalf of ASPPA before the U.S. Department of Labor Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans on promoting retirement literacy and security by streamlining disclosures to participants and beneficiaries. [Testimony]


Legslative: 

On August 27, 2009, Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) release a discussion draft of his proposals for defined benefit pension plan funding relief. [draft.pdf] [summary.doc]

On June 24, 2009, the House Education and Labor Committee reported H.R. 2989 - The 401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act of 2009, as amended, to the House by a vote of 29 to 17.  The bill includes defined benefit plan funding relief, as well as fee disclosure and investment advice provisions. [HR 2989 as amended]


Regulatory:

On April 30, 2009, PBGC issued Technical Update 09-3 providing missed quarterly contribution reporting relief to small plans. [PBGC Technical Update 09-3] 

On April 6, 2009, the IRS issued Notice 2009-22 providing interim rules regarding asset valuation methods that are permitted to be used by single employer defined benefit pension plans for minimum funding purposes pursuant to changes made by the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008. [Notice 2009-22]