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ARTICLE · 22 MAY 2026

Benefits Counselor – May 2026

Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren SC
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The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recently announced new enforcement priorities and guiding principles for employee benefit plans in Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2026-01.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Paul Beery
Paul Beery
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DOL Announces New Enforcement Priorities for Benefit Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recently announced new enforcement priorities and guiding principles for employee benefit plans in Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) 2026-01. The guidance signals a shift in how EBSA will allocate its enforcement resources, with an emphasis on four key priorities:

  1. Focusing on the most egregious conduct and significant harm to employees, particularly where there is direct evidence of a breach of the duty of loyalty.
  2. Avoiding regulation through enforcement activities as a substitute for notice and comment rulemaking.
  3. Requiring senior-level review of significant enforcement initiatives by EBSA officials.

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