Ideas & Insights

The emergence of the omicron variant and more comments by the Federal Reserve led to heightened market volatility late in the month.

Investors question whether the potential collapse of China’s heavily-indebted real estate developer is China’s “Lehman Brothers moment.”

In this issue, we discuss updates to regulations that may affect you and your retirement plan. Learn more now.

Near term, headlines for REITs may remain challenging, especially as pandemic recovery efforts ebb and flow. Learn more.

While we are constructive on near-term markets, we will focus on the rebound in business activity following progress with the vaccine.

While global economic activity increased in late 2020, the pace of recovery may be poised to moderate sequentially.

A consequence of COVID-19 reductions is potential partial plan termination. Learn the requirements of a partial plan termination.

Plan sponsor actions to incorporate the provisions of the SECURE and CARES Acts into their plan documents and plan administration.

November displayed the forward-looking nature of markets as global equities reacted positively that a vaccine may be distributed in 2021.

Rising COVID-19 cases and a failure from policy makers to pass further fiscal stimulus weighed on equity markets.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, the IRS will permit employers to adopt midyear amendments to plan contribution formulas.

Municipal bonds have a long history of capital preservation in stressful periods and enjoy a number of foundational strengths.

Notice 2020-51 affords welcome additional flexibility for individuals to deal with required minimum distributions they took in 2020.

Guidance relating to the application of the Cares Act to coronavirus-related distributions and loans from retirement plans.

Plan participants may use an electronic system facilitating remote notarization or witnessing if executed via live audio-video technology.

Notice 2020-23 postpones the due date for Form 5500 (Annual Return/Report for Employer Plans) filings for some plans.

Flight to safe haven assets and a halt in economic activity drive performance in fixed income and equities markets in first quarter 2020.

Job losses and hardships have some investors tapping into employer-sponsored retirement savings. Learn what questions you may face.

Employers should review retirement plan provisions for employee assistance and cash saving opportunities in response to economic conditions.

Because of COVID-19 concerns, the IRS is extending pending deadlines for employers to adopt updated 403(b) retirement plan documents.