Ask The Experts: Which Participants Should 403(b) Sponsors Include On Their Plan’s Form 5500?

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2026-24, establishing new inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts and high-deductible health plans effective in 2027. These updates include increased contribution limits, higher minimum deductibles, and expanded out-of-pocket maximums, along with new provisions for direct primary care service arrangements under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. How will these changes impact employee benefit planning and healthcare coverage strategies?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS recently issued temporary regulations that provide an immediately effective framework for establishing and administering “Trump Accounts,” including broad automatic enrollment and large-scale contributions funded by governmental and charitable donors. The regulations became effective September 30, 2026, apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and expire September 30, 2029.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Allegheny County Council passed legislation requiring employers with at least 15 workers to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave, ending months-long debate on the proposal. We previously reported on the initial 18-week proposal in May 2026 (summarized here), the revised proposed legislation (summarized here), and the Allegheny County Board of Health passing the legislation (summarized here). The measure was passed in an 11-4 vote. It will become effective in one year, as County Executive Sara Innamorato signed the bill on, October 22, 2026.

The Trump Administration has launched an unprecedented enforcement action suspending permanent labor certification processing for eight major employers, linking immigration sponsorship to layoff histories and recruitment practices. This development signals a fundamental shift in how the government evaluates employer access to H-1B and green card programs, with investigations already underway and subpoenas served.

The Proposed Rule largely restores the 2021 independent contractor final rule issued during the first Trump Administration.

On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice in the Federal Register seeking to restructure the calculation used to issue prevailing wages for employers seeking to hire temporary foreign employees...

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard requires covered employers to update chemical labels, written hazard communication programs, and employee training by November 20, 2026. The revisions align with the UN's Globally Harmonized System and introduce new hazard classifications, downstream use considerations, and updated requirements for compressed gases and aerosols. Employers must navigate separate compliance timelines for chemical mixtures while ensuring their workplace practices meet the updated st

Former employees in California may still have legal options to report sexual harassment that occurred during their employment, even after quitting or being terminated. Understanding filing deadlines, evidence preservation, and retaliation protections is crucial for workers considering legal action against workplace misconduct.

While it’s difficult to think about winter and the new year as we swelter through our hottest weeks of the year, the approach of Q4 means that California employers are budgeting for 2027.

In July 2026, the Department of Labor’s internal watchdog (its Office of Inspector General) said it is investigating fraud and worker abuse (such as fake applications and schemes where workers are forced to pay back part of their wages) in the H-1B program and the PERM green card process.

The Treasury Department and IRS have released Notice 2026-48, providing the first comprehensive guidance on SECURE 2.0's new Saver's Match program. This federal matching contribution for low- and moderate-income retirement savers introduces complex implementation challenges, including how to route taxpayer matches directly to retirement plans and IRAs. The Notice addresses eligibility requirements, income limits, contribution types, and delivery mechanisms while requesting public comments on operational app

The Financial Accounting Standards Board has proposed changes to how market-return cash balance pension plans are measured on corporate balance sheets. Currently, these plans can show liability measurements that significantly deviate from actual participant account balances, potentially misrepresenting a plan sponsor's true financial obligations. The proposed update aims to align accounting treatment with economic reality by allowing these plans to use their assumed interest crediting rate as the discount r

The Treasury Department and IRS have introduced a new standardized framework for direct rollovers between retirement plans and IRAs, featuring a five-step process with sample forms designed to simplify what has historically been a fragmented and paper-heavy system. While adoption remains voluntary and no formal safe harbor exists yet, this initiative addresses longstanding inefficiencies in rollover procedures that have caused participant confusion and delays.

Earlier this month, the IRS released Form 15620, a new standardized form for taxpayers seeking to make elections under Internal Revenue Code ("Code") section 83(b).

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee, examining whether ERISA plaintiffs must allege underperformance against a meaningful benchmark when challenging investment fund performance in defined contribution plans. The Justices appeared inclined to affirm this requirement, though questions remain about what constitutes a meaningful benchmark and how precisely the Court will define the standard for lower courts.

The Second Circuit's recent ruling in East Coast Advanced Plastic Surgery v. Cigna addresses a critical question facing healthcare providers: can they sue to enforce unpaid Independent Dispute Resolution awards under the No Surprises Act? With over $3 million in unpaid awards at stake and providers winning the vast majority of arbitrations, this decision reshapes how reimbursement disputes between out-of-network providers and insurers must be resolved.

The IRS has updated its guidance on educational assistance programs under Code section 127, clarifying key timing requirements for expense reimbursements and student loan payments. These changes address long-standing questions about when employers can provide tax-free educational benefits and how the recent One Big Beautiful Bill Act affects annual contribution limits.

On April 30, 2026, President Trump issued the Executive Order Promoting Retirement-Savings Access for American Workers by Establishing TrumpIRA.gov (the “Executive Order”), which advances the President’s State...

The Treasury Department and IRS have released proposed regulations governing employer contributions to Trump accounts and employee pre-tax contributions through Trump Account Contribution Programs (TACPs). These regulations establish nondiscrimination requirements, contribution limits, and operational guidelines that employers must follow when implementing these tax-advantaged savings programs.

With the leaves changing colors and the holidays around the corner, it's time for retirement plan sponsors to review their plan documents to comply with year-end amendment deadlines, confirm operational compliance with changes in law, and satisfy participant notice requirements.