Newsletters

The Paragon Alliance Group publishes a quarterly newsletter, Benefit Insights, in which we cover the trending topics in retirement benefit planning. Click on the links below to download and read each issue.

Benefit Insights, Winter 2024 

• Components of Defined Contribution Plan Compliance Testing
• Does My Plan Need an Audit?
• 401(k) deferrals: Don't exceed the limit!
• Reminder: Long-Term, Part-Time Employee Rules Effective January 1, 2024
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines 

Benefit Insights, Winter 2023 

• SECURE 2.0 is a GO!
• Is it already time to complete another year-end data request
• Stay tuned!  SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022...
• Upcoming Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Fall 2022 

• Cost of Living Adjustments for 2023
• New Plan Year Checklist
• Save or Toss? Proper Plan Record Storage a Must!
• Deadline for CARES and SECURE Act Amendments Extended

Benefit Insights, Spring 2022 

• Timing of Deposits - 401(k)/403(b) Deferrals and Loan Repayments
• New Information on Participant Statements: Lifetime Income Illustrations
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Winter 2022 

• 2022 - An Ideal Time to Review Plan Design
• SECURE Act Provisions for Long-Term Part-Time Employees
• Navigating the Labyrinth of Required Minimum Distributions
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Fall 2021 

• Cost of Living Adjustments for 2022

Benefit Insights, Summer 2021 

• Missing Participants:  Ready or Not, Here I Come!
• Safe Harbor: A Cure For Your Testing Headaches
• Looking to Maximize Savings? Cash Balance Could be the Answer
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Spring 2021 

• Retirement Planning is a Team Sport
• Congratulations! It's a Retirement Plan
• Department of Labor Issues Cybersecurity Guidance
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Winter 2021 

• Terminated Employees?  Important Relief is Here
• Is there Pandemic Relief for Late Deposits

Benefit Insights, Fall 2020 

• 2021 Cost of Living Adjustments
• Cycle 3 Plan Document Restatements
• Required Year-End Participant Notices
• CARES Act Update
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans
• SECURE Act Reminders

Benefit Insights, Summer 2020 

• Electronic Delivery Could Save Billions
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans
• IRS Issues Additional Pandemic Relief

Benefit Insights, Spring 2020 - CARES Act

• Understanding the CARES Act
• Upcoming compliance deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Fall 2019

• IRS Announces Limits for 2020
• Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan Design
• Upcoming compliance deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Spring 2019

• Automatic Enrollment is on the Rise
• Protect Your 401(k)
• Upcoming compliance deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Winter 2019

• It's Testing Season!
• Know Your Options
• The 401(k) Turns 40
• Upcoming compliance deadlines for Calendar-Year Plans

Benefit Insights, Fall 2018

• Hardships Get a Little Easier
• Helping Hands (student loan debt)
• 2019 Cost-of-Living-Adjustments
• 'Tis the Season (upcoming compliance deadlines)

Benefit Insights, Summer 2018

• The Retirement Income Gap
• Upcoming Compliance Deadlines
• Helpful Hints for Plan Sponsors

Benefit Insights, Spring 2018

• Who is an Employee?
• HSA vs. 401(k)

Forum, Winter 2017

• Considering a Roth 401(k)?
• Tax Relief for Hurricane Victims
• Small Plan Audit Waivers
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Fall 2017

• Which Retirement Plan Fits Best?
• New Proposal for Employee Benefit Plan Audits
• Retaining Plan Records
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Summer 2017

• Should You Consider a Safe Harbor 401(k)?
• Documenting Hardship Distributions
• Using EPCRS To Fix Plan Errors
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Spring 2017

• Handling QDROs for Your Retirement Plan
• Keys to Avoiding Compensation Errors
• Determining 401(k) Plan Eligibility Requirements
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Winter 2017

• Review Plan-related Insurance Protection
• 2017 Cost-of-Living Changes
• Managing the Use of Plan Loans
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Fall 2016

• Using Target Date Funds in Your Plan
• Paying Expenses with Plan Assets
• Make Sure Participants Receive the Plan Documents They're Entitled to
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Summer 2016

• Depositing Employee Contributions
• IRS Guidance on Midyear Changes to Safe Harbor Plans
• Receiving a Compliance Check Letter
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Spring 2016 

• Electing Out of Federal Tax Withholding
• Preretiree Concerns
• New Compliance Questions on 2015 Form 5500
• Choosing a Suitable Vesting Schedule
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Winter 2016 - "Special note in regards to the front page article regarding Default Investment Decision:  All Paragon staff is keenly aware that any conversation regarding the actual selection of a plan Default Investment is one that belongs in the hands of our advisor partners.” 

• The Default Investment Decision
• 2016 Plan Limitations
• Passing the ADP Test
• Could Your Plan's Internal Controls Be Stronger?
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Fall 2015

• When a Plan is Top Heavy?
• Ready for RMD Time
• Supreme Court Confirms Duty To Monitor Investments
• Encouraging Greater Plan Participation
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Summer 2015

• Small Plan Audit Waiver
• Retirement Confidence on the Rise
• Redesigning Your Match
• Engaging Employees Through Target Plan Communications
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans

Forum, Spring 2015

• Failure To Provide a Timely Safe Harbor Notice
• New Model Distribution Notice
• Is Your Plan Competitive?
• Record Retention - The "Paper" Trail
• RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in Benefit Plans