The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Retirement Plans
October 1, 2026
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10 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
Judge Allows PRT Claims Against State Street, Dismisses Counts Against AT&T“In a ruling that could affect future pension risk transfer litigation, a U.S. district court judge ruled that a delegated fiduciary adviser should to face charges.”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (1) · Retirement Plans (3) · Litigation (2) · General Benefits (3) · Webinars (1)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
1 item“The Securities and Exchange Commission voted Wednesday to propose rule amendments to grant retail investors increased access to private-market investments.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
Retirement Plans
3 items“The proportion of workers who increased their retirement savings has fallen over the past year, while the share who reduced their savings grew.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“Retirement preparedness is no longer limited by participants’ ability to access or join a retirement plan, but daily financial demands continue to complicate chances of success, according to an insights report based on the 2026 Goldman Sachs Asset Management Survey, “The New Economics of Retirement: Making Every Dollar Saved Work Harder,” released today.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“In a ruling that could affect future pension risk transfer litigation, a U.S. district court judge ruled that a delegated fiduciary adviser should to face charges.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
Litigation
2 items“In its first opinion letter in 24 years, the PBGC held that a reportable event under Section 4043(c)(3) of ERISA does not occur when a plan sponsor de-risks a defined benefit pension plan through a partial annuity buyout.” MORE >>
Source: Haynes Boone
“James Campbell made more than 100 unauthorized withdrawals from a master trust.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
General Benefits
3 items[Legislation & Budget]
Anti-Tax Proposal Seeks to Protect California Retirement Savers“Prop 42, the Retirement & Personal Savings Protection Act, is on California’s ballots this November, in an effort to help protect retirement savings and personal property from additional state taxes. The proposal would help protect 401(k)s, pension holdings, IRAs and other retirement plan holdings from new taxes on personal property. The proposition comes in response to multiple state measures proposed in 2019, 2022 and 2024 to add new taxes to both retirement and personal savings accounts.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
“New Goldman Sachs study finds even well-paid workers feel unable to cope with rising costs, leading to a considerable drop-off in retirement saving As a strong indicator of working America’s financial uneasiness, the side-hustle job has become a norm—and a sign of the challenges preempting many employees’ retirement plans. According to the 2026 Goldman Sachs Asset Management Retirement Survey and Insights Report, released today, research suggests that the day-to-day costs of living and money challenges faced by many workers have considerably reduced their enthusiasm and ability to commit to retirement savings.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
“Participants increasingly worry whether traditional retirement planning strategies can support longer retirements.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
Webinars
1 item“This course will prepare employee benefits counsel to represent plan fiduciaries and sponsors facing Department of Labor (DOL) investigations or lawsuits. Presenters will discuss how to navigate the investigation process, offer practice pointers on working with Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) investigators, discuss strategies for determining and implementing corrective action, and offer insights into entering into a settlement agreement with EBSA or with the DOL's Solicitor's Office if referred for litigation.” MORE >>
Source: Miller & Chevalier