BenefitsWire

“Updated EPCRS rules take effect immediately, while a new SECURE 2.0-mandated IRA correction system aims to simplify error fixes and 60-day rollover waiver requests beginning in 2027 The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service today announced significant updates to the federal retirement plan correction program, expanding opportunities for plan sponsors to fix compliance errors while establishing a new correction system for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).” MORE >>

Source: 401(k) Specialist

“In our previous installment, we explored why workforce sentiment is a critical and often ignored fiduciary data point, demonstrating that qualitative employee feedback carries equal weight to quantitative claims data.” MORE >>

Source: PSCA

“On October 19, 2026, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) announced updated guarantee limits for single-employer defined benefit plans. PBGC insures private defined benefit plans against the risk of a failure to pay benefits when due, but only up to a maximum limit.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

HHS has published a list of approved Medical Review Officer certification entities, aligning with updated Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs that specify MRO qualifications and oversight. MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

“Quick Hits EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas stated that the vote to rescind “reaffirms the agency’s commitment to enforce Title VII consistent with the Constitution and the limits Congress placed on the EEOC’s authority.” MORE >>

Source: PSCA

“On October 16, 2026, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) issued a notice on proposed changes to expand the information it collects from multiemployer defined benefit (DB) plans that received special financial assistance (SFA). If finalized, the changes would require these plans to submit additional information and documentation with their Annual Statement of Compliance (ASOC). Comments are due by December 15, 2026.” MORE >>

Source: Milliman

Source: Federal Register

“The IRS updated the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and introduced the IRA Compliance Resolution System (ICRS), a new correction program for IRAs, which is modeled after EPCRS. EPCRS allows sponsors of qualified plans, section 403(b) plans, SEP arrangements, and SIMPLE IRA plans to correct failures and continue providing retirement benefits on a tax-favored basis.” MORE >>

Source: Haynes Boone

“On October 15, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Division of Corporation Finance issued new and revised corporation finance interpretations (CFIs) guiding issuers on the use of Form S-8, the streamlined registration statement that registers the offer and sale of compensatory equity securities to employees, directors, and consultants....” MORE >>

Source: Ascensus

“Job posts that focus on personality traits and equipment are less effective than postings that outline specific role requirements, per a new study. The JobLeads study examined nearly 1.4 million U.S. job postings between April and June, and concluded that “a posting that reads like a template will be treated like one.” For applicants, the issue is straightforward. “A job seeker can check whether they know Python or have run a payroll cycle,” the report said. “They can’t check whether they are ‘motivated’ enough — that’s the difference between hard and soft skills.” MORE >>

Source: HR Dive

The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council will hold a public meeting to discuss relevant matters. MORE >>

Source: IRS