Plan sponsors of most types of retirement plans must amend their plan documents by the end of 2026.

California’s AB 692, effective January 1, 2026, will significantly change how employers structure tuition assistance programs and bonus arrangements

New FAQs clarify how employers can offer fertility benefits as an excepted benefit.

Attendees will learn the basics about different types of M&A transactions and their impact on employee benefits, key issues to look out for and potential pitfalls to avoid.

As we approach the new year, it’s time to review the updated contribution and limit amounts for 2026. The IRS has announced increases across several key areas, including HSAs, FSAs, and other employee benefit accounts.

Nonprofit organizations often look for ways to attract and retain key executives through deferred compensation arrangements. Three common approaches are the 457(b) plan, 457(f) plan, and split-dollar life insurance plan. Each can supplement retirement benefits, but they differ in eligibility, funding, and tax treatment.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was enacted in 2008 and generally prevents most group health plans that provide mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits from imposing more restrictive coverage limitations on those benefits than on medical/surgical (M/S) benefits.

Join Boutwell Fay LLP as we will walk through common Form 5500 errors, what happens if you don’t make a filing deadline and how to avoid (or, if needed, appeal) Form 5500 late filing penalties.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) provides individuals shall not be subject to discrimination on the basis of sex under a health program or activity that receives federal financial assistance or is administered by an Executive Agency.  (42 USC 18116(a)).  As discussed in our blog post regarding United States v. Skrmetti, the contours of Section 1557’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex remain a hotly litigated issue.

Big news from the Western Pension Meeting! Our team is proud to share that we won this year’s Photo Contest!

We are proud to share that The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized two of our partners in its 2026 Edition.

In her recent Daily Journal article "Strategic Connections Can Power Practice Growth," Sherrie Boutwell, partner at women-owned ERISA firm Boutwell Fay LLP, highlights collaboration as a key growth strategy for niche law firms.

Each employer that sponsors a 403(b) plan which uses a pre-approved plan document must ensure that document is restated to account for changes in law by December 31, 2026.  Especially because organizations in the nonprofit and public sectors often face resource and staffing constraints, it’s crucial they start the restatement process now. 

Following up on our prior post on private equity investments in 401(k) plans, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has now dismissed a six-year-long lawsuit brought by Intel employees against the company. The lawsuit centered on Intel’s inclusion of private equity and hedge funds in its 401(k) defined contribution plans, alleged that offering these investment options violated fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Holiday Reminder: Please note that our office will be fully closed on Friday, July 4th.

Starting Friday, June 6th, and continuing through Friday, August 29th, our office will have adjusted hours. Early Closure: Our office will close at 3:00 PM (PST) every Friday during this period, giving our staff a head start on their summer weekends. Holiday Reminder: Please note that our office will be fully closed on Friday, July 4th.

Allison brings more than a decade of experience in employee benefits and tax law and will be a valuable addition to our team. She advises on a wide range of issues, including tax-qualified retirement plans, health and welfare plans, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) fiduciary matters, ACA (Affordable Care Act), HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) compliance, and more.

Boutwell Fay LLP is proud to announce that Katrina Veldkamp, Partner at the firm, will be speaking at “Retirement Plan Pitfalls: How to Stay Ahead with 401(k) & CalSavers,” presented by the Desert Communities Employer Advisory Council (EAC) in partnership with the Employment Development Department.

Join Sherrie for a practical discussion exploring the unique dynamics between TPAs, actuaries, and ERISA attorneys. The session will dive into ethical challenges, documentation best practices, and strategies for building productive relationships that support smoother plan operations.

The Western Pension & Benefits Council, Seattle Chapter sponsors educational programs and events throughout the year addressing...