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In a recent article released by the National Association of Plan Advisors, the IRS has announced cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2019. The 2019 limits are contained in Notice 2018-83, released Nov. 1.

As reported by NAPA, the limits for 2019 are as follows:

Participants do lodge complaints against their retirement plans from time to time, and all these complaints should be addressed, experts say.

Organizations that sponsor 403(b) plans are adopting automatic features to improve plan design and participant outcomes, according to the 2018 403(b) Survey from the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA), sponsored by Principal Financial Group.

In a recently released private letter ruling, the IRS addressed an employer seeking to offer a “student loan benefit program” as part of its 401(k) plan. In short, under this option, the employer would make non-elective contributions if the employee made student loan repayments.

On Friday, August 31, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Treasury to review and consider issuing regulations regarding increasing access to workplace retirement savings arrangements.

Changes in Hardship Rules Coming in 2019

Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (the "Act") earlier this year. Included in the Act are three provisions which will give retirement plans greater flexibility in handling hardship distributions. The following is an overview of the upcoming opportunities