The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Retirement Plans
August 26, 2026
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6 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
The Most Dangerous Employee In Your 401(k) Plan Is Usually Not Who You Think“When plan sponsors think about retirement plan risk, they often focus on investment committees, financial advisors, or highly compensated executives. In reality, the employee who creates the greatest risk to a retirement plan is often someone far less visible....”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (2) · Retirement Plans (2) · General Benefits (2)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
2 items“The proposed rules would also: The rules are proposed to apply to plan years beginning on or after 6 months after the date of publication of the Treasury decision adopting these amendments to the rules as final rules in the Federal Register. Comments are due October 19, 2026.” MORE >>
Source: ifebp.org
“The Department of Labor has issued important guidance addressing whether employer programs that permit contributions to Section 530A accounts (and the Section 530A accounts themselves) are treated as “employee pension benefit plans” under Title I of ERISA. In Technical Release 2026-02, the Department of Labor concluded that Section 530A accounts and employer-run contribution programs generally will not be ERISA-covered pension plans, provided employers structure their involvement carefully and maintain neutrality.” MORE >>
Source: Verrill
Retirement Plans
2 items“New research finds managed account users generally have higher contribution rates and are more likely to earn their full employer match, with the biggest differences in voluntary enrollment plans Managed account users tend to contribute more to their 401(k) and are more likely to earn their full employer match than non-managed account users, according to new Morningstar research released today.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
[General Benefits]
Who gets a say in the 401(k)? Technology, Trust, and the Future of Advice“This content is made possible by our advertisers. Learn how to publish your content with us. An in-depth analysis with fintech, regulatory, and retirement experts. The 401(k) questions the industry can’t stop debating.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
General Benefits
2 items“The American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries designation is designed for plan administrators, recordkeepers and advisers.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“When plan sponsors think about retirement plan risk, they often focus on investment committees, financial advisors, or highly compensated executives. In reality, the employee who creates the greatest risk to a retirement plan is often someone far less visible....” MORE >>
Source: JD Supra
Also of Note
- 2026 ERISA Litigation Developments — “The U.S Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Intel Corp.’s 401(k) plan investment choices.” (Hall Benefits Law)
- ASPPA Launches New Credential for MEP, PEP Pros — “The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) today announced the launch of the Qualified Pooled Plan Professional, or QP3™, a new credential designed to help retirement plan professionals understand how pooled plans work in practice.” (401(k) Specialist)
- Do State Auto-IRAs Affect Onboarding? — “Ever since Oregon launched OregonSaves in 2017 state auto-IRA programs have been advancing.” (American Retirement Association)
- Matching 401(k) Contributions: Is There a Better Way? — “Is there a better way to match 401(k) contributions? There just might, a new report from Vanguard suggests.” (American Retirement Association)
- Pension Fight Club Is Now Streaming: Meet the People Wall Street Wishes Would Stop Asking Questions — “When Pension Fight Club premiered in Sacramento in May, just steps from CalPERS, it looked like the culmination of years of battles over public pension secrecy.” (The Commonsense 401(k) Project)