Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 06 DECEMBER 2021

Form 5500 DOL Investigations

Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Contributor
Groom Law Group, Chartered

Groom Law Group, Chartered

Groom Law Group has been at the forefront of developments in the nation’s benefits, health, and...

View firm profile
Explore more from Groom Law Group, Chartered

When you receive a letter from the Department of Labor ("DOL") letting you know that the plan that you administer is under investigation, it is natural to ask "how did my plan get picked?"

United StatesEmployment and HR
Kevin Walsh
Kevin Walsh
Author LinkedIn connections

When you receive a letter from the Department of Labor ("DOL") letting you know that the plan that you administer is under investigation, it is natural to ask "how did my plan get picked?"

While some investigations are opened based on participant complaints or concerning news reports, many investigations are opened because your plan meets criteria that a current initiative has flagged. This is a lot of words to say that Form 5500 has become an enforcement tool. The most recent initiative based off of Form 5500 information has been the DOL's terminated-vested participant program. As part of this initiative, the DOL has targeted plans based on readily available information in Form 5500 - mainly defined benefit plans and specifically plans that report a large number of terminated vested participants.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

IRS Issues New Revenue Procedure

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?
United StatesEmployment and HR
Winston Taylor
Winston Taylor
Article

Treasury Issues Temporary Regulations On Trump Accounts And Contributions

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Article

Allegheny County Council Passes Paid Parental Leave Policy

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
Article

DOL Announces Enforcement Actions Against Employers In H-1B And PERM Fraud Probe

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown
Article

Countdown To Compliance: Employer Preparations For Nov. 2026 OSHA HazCom Deadlines

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
United StatesEmployment and HR
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Article

The First Round Of Saver’s Match Guidance Is Here

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
United StatesTax
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Article

Proposed FASB Clarification Affecting Market-Return Cash Balance Plans

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
United StatesEmployment and HR
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Article

IRS Issues New Guidance On Rollovers

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Article

Supreme Court Hears Investment Underperformance Argument In Anderson V. Intel: Justices Appear Receptive To A Benchmark Requirement

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Article

No Surprises Here: Second Circuit Holds IDR Awards Should Be Enforced Administratively, And Not Through Private Plaintiff Lawsuits

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.
United StatesFood, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Article

Cha-Ching For Kids: IRS Guidance On Trump Account Employer Contributions

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.
United StatesEmployment and HR
Groom Law Group, Chartered
Groom Law Group, Chartered