News Room

News From the Front Lines

The retirement plan industry is constantly changing, providing new opportunities for plan design and often requiring the amendment of a plan document. We’ll keep you up to date with changes that matter to you and what you need to do about them.

March 5, 2019

2019 Retirement Plan Limits

Limits That Affect Your Retirement Plan The IRS announces the Cost‐Of‐Living Adjustments to various retirement plan limits annually. The Social Security Administration also announces the Taxable Wage Base each year.
March 29, 2018

Roth IRA/401(k)s and the New Tax Law

With the passing of the new tax law in 2017 many investors will experience lower tax rates potentially affecting retirement saving strategies.  Getting out your crystal ball, if you believe that when your client starts to draw down on the retirement account taxes will be lower then choose the traditional deferral approach.
March 23, 2018

Who’s Going to Really Know?

Every so often, with a new client, we find that its year-end test results do not reflect the actual plan provisions.  Some of the most common occurrences are enrolling new employees too early into the plan, providing the employer match on a payroll by payroll basis when it should be based on full year salary, and reflecting the wrong vesting schedule.
January 23, 2018

2018 Retirement Plan Limits

Limits That Affect Your Retirement Plan The IRS announces the Cost‐Of‐Living Adjustments to various retirement plan limits annually. The Social Security Administration also announces the Taxable Wage Base each year.
February 23, 2017

2017 Calendar of Events For 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plans

1st and 2nd Quarter Feb 1 [block_orange] IRS Form 1099-R must be mailed to all participants who received a distribution in 2016. These are prepared either automatically by your investment platform or, if using a brokerage account, The Benefit Practice, or your CPA.
January 18, 2017

2017 Calendar of Events for 401(k)/Profit Sharing and Defined Benefit/Cash Balance Plans

1st and 2nd Quarter [block_blue] Defined Benefit Plan due dates [block_green] Defined Contribution Plan due dates [block_orange] Both due dates Jan 15 [block_blue] Fourth quarterly contribution is due for the 2016 Plan Year (if required). Feb 1 [block_orange] IRS Form 1099-R must be mailed to all participants who received a distribution in 2016.
January 9, 2017

2017 Retirement Plan Limits

Limits That Affect Your Retirement Plan The IRS announces the Cost-Of-Living Adjustments to various retirement plan limits annually.  The Social Security Administration also announces the Taxable Wage Base each year.
March 8, 2016

Who’s Going to Really Know?

Every so often, with a new client, we find that its year-end test results do not reflect the actual plan provisions.  One of the more common issues is permitting employees to enter the plan after 3 months of service but the prior TPA’s valuation report shows all short term employees are excluded.
February 16, 2016

What? You Can Now Change a Safe Harbor Plan Mid-Stream?

Every year, throughout the year, we would have the same conversation with clients regarding their Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan.  “Can we just make a small change now to the plan, maybe an improvement here or there?
February 2, 2016

Required Minimum Distributions – Beware of April 1st

Every December we get calls from financial advisors confirming that their client’s Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) will be made prior to the stroke of mid-night December 31.   Failure to process this distribution by 12/31 will have income tax consequences and potentially up to a 50% excise tax.
January 8, 2016

2016 Calendar of Events

[block_blue] Defined Benefit Plan due date [block_green] Defined Contribution Plan due date [block_orange] Both due Jan 15 [block_blue] Fourth quarterly contribution is due for the 2015 Plan Year (if required). Jan 30 [block_orange] 2015 Plan Year data request packages are due back to The Benefit Practice.
January 5, 2016

2016 Retirement Plan Limits

Limits that Affect Your Retirement Plan The IRS announces the Cost-Of-Living Adjustments to various retirement plan limits annually. The Social Security Administration also announces the Taxable Wage Base each year.
The Benefit Practice - What Clients are Saying

What Clients are Saying

  • Working with The Benefit Practice has been a great value to our practice and to me, personally. At their core, they provide sound guidance and sophisticated advice that is presented in an understandable manner. They are always available and responsive to requests, but go the extra mile by providing proactive service in a very respectful manner that keeps us on track to meet our goals.
    CFO, at a large urology practice
  • I have enjoyed working with The Benefit Practice for more than ten years, on multiple, complex cases requiring the attention and support of both principal partners. They exemplify both strong work ethics and exceptional intellect. Their ability to adapt and respond to client needs clearly sets them apart in this highly competitive market. They have guided our team to the current level of success we have achieved working with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans.
    Paul Fitzsimmons, CFP, CRPC, CRPS
    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
    Corporate Retirement Director
  • The Benefit Practice was referred to FTV Capital in 2010 to assist us with our 401(k) and profit sharing goals. We found them to be experts in the field, with all the client responsiveness that you would expect from a highly professional, focused organization. We were impressed by the comprehensive knowledge, creative and friendly staff and easy to read summaries. I would recommend them to any firm.
    David A. Haynes, Partner & COO, FTV Capital
  • Five years ago we needed fresh eyes to look at our defined pension plan. Using a professional approach The Benefit Practice corrected the funding of our pension and offered a number of creative alternatives. I have found Lloyd Katz and his associates extremely professional and responsive to our immediate and would highly recommend The Benefit Practice.
    Ed Satkowsky, Controller, Sleepy Hollow Country Club
  • As one of the nation’s largest private clubs, we are faced with many challenges in order to ensure that our actuarial practices are of the highest order. In addressing these challenges, The Benefit Practice has been an invaluable resource, noteworthy for its professionalism, responsiveness and creativity in fostering a positive and productive working relationship. TBP is also highly adept in anticipating and eliminating problems before they occur.
    Ed Napolitano, CPA, Controller, New York Athletic Club
  • I have worked with The Benefit Practice for a number of years and their ability to provide customized solutions for their clients is unmatched. I have been in the financial services business for 15 years and have not met another retirement consulting firm that can not only provide customized and innovative solutions but is also professional, and committed to their clients. They will always go above and beyond what is expected but will not cut any corners to do so. They have demonstrated time and time again top flight service, product, and professionalism and have been an invaluable resource to my practice!
    Michael S. Schwartz, CFP, AIF, Pioneer Financial
  • I have enjoyed a long and gratifying relationship with The Benefit Practice. Lloyd Katz and his team have exhibited consistent professionalism and responsiveness to all of our company’s pension needs, and have gone well beyond our expectations in providing exceptional service. They work with me on a personal level that generates complete confidence. No matter how difficult my request or how time sensitive the issue, I know it will be addressed quickly and well. I deeply value this relationship and look forward to working together for many more years to come.
    P. Devi Shaheed, President/CFO, Blumenthal Lansing Co., and CFO, Levcor International, Inc.
  • We are constantly impressed by the creativity that The Benefit Practice brings to very dry regulations, and their commitment to finding optimum solution for our circumstances.

    Peter Coleman brings great energy and humor to the process, and his team follows through with great professionalism, care, and attention to detail. They take the time to explain and educate, which is rare in this business.
    Roger Insley, CFO Moon Capital Management
  • Being new to the 401(k) market, we rely heavily on The Benefit Practice. Their understanding of our fears and expectations has been of great importance to us. There is nothing worse than having to worry about the future of your employees savings. The Benefit Practice enables us to rest easy, knowing our accounts are in good hands. All of the representatives we have dealt with are extremely knowledgeable and even more important move quickly when questions or requests are made. We are thrilled with the services provided and look forward to a long working relationship.
    Jennifer Murray, Business Manager Walter B. Melvin Architects, LLC