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Your Plan Has Been Following the Rules. Has Your Plan Document?
Marissa served as the HR director of a longtime client. “David, I received an amendment package for our retirement plan from our TPA firm. It references SECURE 1.0, the CARES Act, SECURE 2.0, and enough numbered sections to make me question my career choice.” I...
A 2025 Tax Deduction—in 2026?
Michael called me after meeting with his accountant. “David, I just got a preview of my 2025 tax bill. Let’s just say it wasn’t a particularly enjoyable meeting. He told me we should have considered setting up a retirement plan before the end of last year. Our tax...
Solve The Mystery of the Missing 401(k) Contributions
It was just after 9 a.m. when the call came in from Allison, a sharp, capable … and flustered CFO I had worked with for years. “David,” she said, “I am so embarrassed. One of our employees just stormed into my office with her printed-out pay stubs. Her 401(k)...
Don’t Merge Retirement Plans Without a Professional Review
Monday morning began with a call from Ella, the HR director at a mid-sized manufacturing firm. “David, we’re about to finalize a merger with a smaller company; we’ve been in talks with them for months. The CEO asked me to pull together a checklist of post-integration...
Implement a New 401(k) Plan: These Tax Credits Practically Pay All the Startup Costs
I was sitting with Sara, the controller at a 20-person marketing agency, when she asked the question I wish more people would: “David, if we start a 401(k) plan, what’s the real cost to us?” “Glad you asked,” I replied. “Because right now, with its little-known tax...
Let the State Run Your Plan?Take a Number
I’d been standing in line at the DMV waiting to renew my driver license for over an hour when the woman next to me sighed. “I always forget how slow this place is.” I nodded. “The DMV has a unique relationship with time.” “That’s one way to put it.” We stood in...
Tailor Your Retirement Plan to Every Generation
Juanita met me after our quarterly strategy meeting. We’d just gone over participation metrics, and I couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. “David,” she said, “we’ve got employees in their 60s and others fresh out of college. We’re trying to engage all of them...
State Mandated Retirement Plans: Compliance or Choice?
It was a rainy Tuesday when Jason called. “David,” he said, “we just got a letter from the State of New Jersey about our retirement plan. They’re asking for proof that we either have one, joined the state plan, or qualify for an exemption. Is this real or just more...
The Wobbly Stool: Retirement Planning Matters More Than Ever!
It started with a question over lunch. “David,” said Alexis, an HR manager for a tech company, “I keep hearing about a ‘three-legged stool’ of retirement. Is that still a thing? I mean … it sounds like something my grandfather would have said.” I smiled. “It’s still a...
Fun with Forfeiture Funds
I made a routine check-in call to one of our longtime clients, and offered some updated plan management strategy. “Hey Jeff, I just read about a lawsuit filed against a company that didn’t use their forfeiture account balance in a timely manner. I wanted to make sure...
Top 5 Compliance Pitfalls for 2025 (and How to Avoid Them)
I was leading a compliance workshop and someone in the back raised their hand. “What’s the number one thing that trips people up?” she asked. “Missed deadlines: Late Filings for Form 5500. Not providing your plan participants with the required annual notices. Not...
Important Reminders for Plan Sponsors & Plan Participants, Oct. 2025
TO: All Clients and Professional Friends FROM: CRS Retirement Plan Consultant Team DATE: October 2025 SUBJECT: Important Reminders for Plan Sponsors & Plan Participants Beneficiary Forms Life changes and at times the last thing that is focused on is changing your...
Madison Pension Services is now known as Concierge Retirement Services.