Benefits

 Starting a Qualified Plan for a Small Biz? It’s SIMPLE

June 30, 2014 

Starting a Qualified Plan for a Small Biz? It’s SIMPLE

SIMPLE. The name says it all. It stands for Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, a contrived moniker, but you get the picture. This type of qualified retirement plan, created back in 1996, is designed to provide an easy and convenient retirement plan option for small business operations.

Ken Berry, JD

 Should Your Clients Join the Rush to Roth IRAs?

June 27, 2014 

Should Your Clients Join the Rush to Roth IRAs?

Although it’s been almost five years since the floodgates were opened, we’re still seeing a steady stream of conversions to Roth IRAs. As long as Congress doesn’t clamp down on the rules, you can expect for this trend to continue.

Ken Berry, JD

 Report Shows Who is Most Likely to Come Up Short on Retirement Savings

June 22, 2014 

Report Shows Who is Most Likely to Come Up Short on Retirement Savings

Will Baby Boomers and Gen Xers have enough money to live on when they retire, and if not, when will they run short? New modeling by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) finds that those in the lowest-income brackets are most likely to run short, many in the first year of retirement.

 GASB Proposes Improvements to State and Local Post Employment Benefits Reporting

June 18, 2014 

GASB Proposes Improvements to State and Local Post Employment Benefits Reporting

On Monday, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) published two proposed Statements intended to significantly improve financial reporting by state and local governments of other postemployment benefits (OPEB), such as retiree health insurance. The GASB also published a third Exposure Draft that would establish requirements for pensions and pension plans that are outside the scope…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 How Employers and Accounting Firms Can Navigate Obamacare Penalties

June 13, 2014 

How Employers and Accounting Firms Can Navigate Obamacare Penalties

Thomson Reuters has released a special report for employers, accounting firms, and other professionals who advise business clients, Get Ready to Play or Pay: Employer Shared Responsibility Under Health Care Reform. The report highlights key provisions employers must understand to avoid tax penalties related to the Affordable Care Act.

Isaac M. O'Bannon

treasury1

June 5, 2014 

IRS Releases Final Guidance on Tribal Government Benefits Excluded as Income

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued final guidance specifying that a wide range of benefits and services provided by Indian tribal governments qualify for the general welfare exclusion from income. These include programs for housing, education, cultural and religious purposes, and the elderly and disabled, among others.

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 Survey: Men More Confident than Women on Retirement

June 4, 2014 

Survey: Men More Confident than Women on Retirement

American men, particularly those aged 51 or older and with an income over $75,000, are more confident about retirement according to a recent survey conducted by financial services group OneAmerica. Contributing to their confidence is a realistic knowledge of how much retirement income they will need.

Isaac M. O'Bannon