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ARTICLE · 29 JANUARY 2026

DOL Enforcement Priorities Change In 2026

Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
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On January 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration ("EBSA") unveiled its national enforcement projects for fiscal year 2026.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Lisa Campbell
Lisa Campbell
Gabrielle Graves
Gabrielle Graves
Michael Kreps
Michael Kreps
Amber Rivers
Amber Rivers
Andrew Salek-Raham
Andrew Salek-Raham
George Sepsakos
George Sepsakos
Kevin Walsh
Kevin Walsh
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On January 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration ("EBSA") unveiled its national enforcement projects for fiscal year 2026. Key areas of focus include cybersecurity, mental health and substance use disorder benefits, benefit distributions, retirement asset management, and surprise billing. Notably, EBSA removed employee stock ownership plans ("ESOPs") from its list of national enforcement projects for 2026.

Enforcement Priorities for FY 2026

EBSA's enforcement priorities for fiscal year 2026 will likely focus on plan operations, service provider oversight, and benefits administration. EBSA will continue to address cybersecurity risks to employee benefit plans, including governance practices and controls that safeguard plan assets and participants' information.

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