The current pandemic environment proves how unpredictable this world can be throughout a person’s career and life. That’s why the value of HANYS Benefit Services’ participant education services cannot be overstated: Being there for our clients’ employees is of paramount importance and a key measure of our success. In addition to our plan level consulting services, we offer a dedicated team of highly trained and experienced educators to assist retirement plan participants. Our salaried team members educate employees, with no conflict of interest. Recently, our education services provided timely help for the employees at one of our New York City healthcare clients. From morning through evening, our educator hosted 30 personalized one-on-one telephonic meetings to help employees enroll in the retirement plan, update their savings rates and learn about their emergency options under the CARES Act. The employees appreciated being able to briefly escape the medical crisis and speak with an e...

In March, the market’s “fear gauge,” the VIX, reached 82.7, the highest close in its 30-year history. Daily moves in the S&P 500 averaged +/-5.0% and its 12.0% decline on March 16 was the worst day for the index since Black Monday in 1987. The New York Stock Exchange on March 23 closed the physical trading floor for the first time in its history and moved fully to electronic trading. As headlines focused on the equity markets, the volatility in the fixed income markets was unrivaled. As investors looked to raise cash, dealers, who typically act as shock absorbers for the bond market, were not able to match panicked sellers with willing buyers. A lack of liquidity occurred in the fixed income market and extreme price dislocations occurred. Issues were selling far below their intrinsic value. No segment of the bond market was left out, including Treasuries. Treasury yields collapsed in March to all-time lows and investment-grade credit spreads widened dramatically, experiencing an un...

We are in unprecedented times and companies are facing a multitude of challenges in many aspects of business. Here at HANYS Benefit Services, we are committed to helping guide our clients through these times. Below are important considerations for retirement plan sponsors during the coronavirus pandemic. Eye on compliance. Remote work conditions have put distance between many collaborative human resources staff. It’s critical to keep a focus on key administrative tasks such as the timely funding of plan contributions and processing of participant requests. Keeping your retirement plan vendors apprised of any staff reductions and plan changes can help ensure smooth plan administration during this time. Working with a tighter budget Plan contribution flexibility. If budget constraints exist, consider whether your retirement plan’s contributions are mandatory or discretionary, and, if necessary, whether you are able to amend your plan to provide some relief at this time. Plan expens...

We are in unprecedented times and companies are facing a multitude of challenges in many aspects of business. Here at HANYS Benefit Services, we are committed to helping guide our clients through these times. Below are important considerations for retirement plan sponsors during the coronavirus pandemic. Eye on compliance. Remote work conditions have put distance between many collaborative human resources staff. It’s critical to keep a focus on key administrative tasks such as the timely funding of plan contributions and processing of participant requests. Keeping your retirement plan vendors apprised of any staff reductions and plan changes can help ensure smooth plan administration during this time. Working with a tighter budget Plan contribution flexibility. If budget constraints exist, consider whether your retirement plan’s contributions are mandatory or discretionary, and, if necessary, whether you are able to amend your plan to provide some relief at this time. Plan expens...

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, we are closely monitoring news and updates from top sources. We’ll be updating this section as new developments unfold. Here are several key articles and links to help plan sponsors and administrators navigate the COVID-19 impact to retirement and benefit plans: Retirement Plans 4 Key CARES Act Provisions for Retirement Plan Sponsors Markets React to Coronavirus   Important Considerations for Retirement Plan Sponsors during the Coronavirus Pandemic In Fed We Trust Participant Education Services: Timely Help from a Safe Distance CRDs 100% Taxable for New York State and Local Income Tax Purposes in 2020 IRS Permits Remote Notarization of Participant Elections   Employee Benefits CARES Act Expands Health Coverage Rules Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Employee Compensation and Benefits During Closures and Furloughs DOL Clarifies Exemptions to Coronavirus Paid Leave Laws Small Business Exemption to Coronavirus P...

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, we are closely monitoring news and updates from top sources. We’ll be updating this section as new developments unfold. Here are several key articles and links to help plan sponsors and administrators navigate the COVID-19 impact to retirement and benefit plans: Retirement Plans 4 Key CARES Act Provisions for Retirement Plan Sponsors Markets React to Coronavirus   Important Considerations for Retirement Plan Sponsors during the Coronavirus Pandemic In Fed We Trust Participant Education Services: Timely Help from a Safe Distance CRDs 100% Taxable for New York State and Local Income Tax Purposes in 2020 IRS Permits Remote Notarization of Participant Elections   Employee Benefits CARES Act Expands Health Coverage Rules Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Employee Compensation and Benefits During Closures and Furloughs DOL Clarifies Exemptions to Coronavirus Paid Leave Laws Small Business Exemption to Coronavirus P...

On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, legislation intended to provide relief to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to emergency provisions including financial stimulus payments to qualifying Americans, the Act provides certain relief within retirement plans to participants and plan sponsors. Specifically, the Act provides for the following: Coronavirus-related distributions. Before December 31, 2020, IRA holders and participants in defined contribution plans can withdraw up to $100,000 as a “coronavirus-related distribution.” To qualify, one must have been diagnosed with COVID-19, had a spouse or dependent diagnosed, or experienced adverse financial consequences due to virus-related work reduction. The law refers to such financial consequences as those resulting from being quarantined, furloughed or laid off or having work hours reduced due to such virus or disease, being unable to work due to lack of child care due...