We advise clients on the full range of qualified retirement plans, including:
- Defined benefit pension plans
- Cash balance and other “hybrid” plans
- Code section 401(k) plans
- Profit sharing plans
- Money purchase pension plans
- Code section 403(b) plans
- Code section 457 plans
Our attorneys act as counsel to plan sponsors, administrators of employee benefits plans and the trust funds of multiemployer plans. We also handle specific legal or operational issues related to employee benefits plans. Our attorneys provide assistance to our clients regarding a wide range of activities, including:
- The design, implementation and termination of plans;
- Advising on administrative and compliance issues (e.g., calculation of lump sum benefits and annuities, age discrimination, QDROs, Code section 415 limits, compensation limits, and Social Security benefit adjustment options);
- Updating clients about legislative and regulatory changes;
- Assisting with participant claims, appeals and documents requests;
- Assisting with IRS, Department of Labor and PBGC plan audits; and
- Preparing submissions to IRS and DOL correction programs and negotiating correction methodologies and sanctions or penalties.
In addition, issues arising in one type of plan sponsored by a client may affect the client’s entire employee benefit program. Examples include the cross-over of qualified retirement plans and excess benefit retirement plans, and the duplication of disability benefits in a defined benefit plan and a long-term disability plan. Being familiar with all types of employee benefit plans, we are able to help our clients identify and resolve issues resulting from these situations.
