401(k) forfeitures 101: What they are, how they’re used, and where plan sponsors get stuck

by JoAnn Cassell | Apr 15, 2026 | 401k Compliance, Employee Termination

If forfeitures are little more than an afterthought in managing your 401(k) plan, you are not alone. 401(k) forfeitures are one of those quiet plan mechanics that can create outsized compliance issues when plan sponsors misunderstand—or worse, ignore them. Let’s break...

No audit? Your 401(k) plan is fine… probably. (Here’s how to tell).

by JoAnn Cassell | Jan 15, 2026 | 401k Compliance

A practical guide to Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUPs)   Just because you don’t need a 401(k) plan audit doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still protect your employees and organization. That’s where Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUPs) come in—a customizable, cost-effective...

Building a culture of compliance: Beyond the 401(k) plan audit

by JoAnn Cassell | Nov 15, 2025 | 401k Compliance, Gratitude

In celebration of this season of gratitude, it’s a good time to zoom out and look at why we conduct 401(k) plan audits in the first place. Yes, audits are required by the Department of Labor (DOL) for plans with 100 or more participants with balances. Yes, there are...

What is a SOC report and why plan sponsors should review it each year

by JoAnn Cassell | Dec 15, 2024 | 401k Compliance

So, what is a SOC report? Many plan sponsors of 401(k) and other benefit plans outsource critical plan tasks to outside service providers or vendors like payroll servicers, third-party administrators, and recordkeepers. This makes you the customer, or to use the...

Year-end is coming! Complete these year-end 401(k) plan tasks to stay compliant

by JoAnn Cassell | Nov 15, 2024 | 401k Compliance, 401k Plan Audit Documentation, Audit Deadlines

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Frozen turkeys go on sale, holiday carols fill the airwaves… and retirement plan sponsors check off those year-end 401(k) plan tasks to stay compliant. (That’s what you were thinking, too, right?) Because by the end of the...

Annual 401(k) plan notices are due December 2. Are you ready?

by JoAnn Cassell | Oct 15, 2024 | 401k Auto-Enrollment, 401k Communication, 401k Compliance, Employee Addition, Regulations & Policies, Safe Harbor 401(k)

Autumn is well underway, and with it comes those seasonal tasks: Hire the neighborhood kid to rake fallen leaves… Check. Stock up on candy for Halloween trick-or-treaters… Check. Put together this year’s annual 401(k) plan notices…   Check?! Consider this a gentle...