Blue Ridge ESOP Associates Industry News

Blue Ridge is proud to support Employee Ownership efforts and is participating this month in ESOPATHON. "ESOPATHON is a month-long, activity-based, nationwide fundraising drive with a goal of raising one million dollars to support new and forward-leaning programming at the Employee Ownership Foundation."

Provisions in the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the “SECURE Act”) require defined contribution plans to include illustrations of estimated lifetime income stream of payments. The idea is to provide information to participants that if the account balance were converted to annuity payments how much income would be payable to the participant (based on various assumptions) in both the form of payments over the participant’s lifetime and payments over the joint lifetimes of the participant and survivor. The Department of Labor (DOL) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) on September 18, 2020 that becomes effective September 18, 2021. On July 26, 2021 the DOL issued the Temporary Implementing Frequently Asked Questions (TIFAQ) to clarify some of the provisions in the IFR that, frankly, were a little confusing.

Did you know becoming a participant and earning a contribution are two separate events? An employee could become a participant and not earn a contribution. Plan eligibility and contribution requirements are different aspects of your plan document.

On May 5, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously to send the bipartisan Securing a Strong Retirement Act to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

Congratulations to Jessica Molnar of Wiley Wilson for being named the National Employee-Owner of the year at The ESOP Association Opening Reception and Awards Dinner last night. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – June 17, 2021: Blue Ridge ESOP Associates (“Blue Ridge”), the leader in ESOP administration, announced today the hiring of Bill Yoerger as CEO of Blue Ridge and Coastal Pension Services (“Coastal”). In his new role, Yoerger will lead Blue Ridge and Coastal in servicing their nearly 2,000 ESOP, 401(k), Money Purchase and Defined Benefit Plan customers and continue to grow the business both organically and through strategic acquisitions in the retirement industry.

Urgent action is needed - "The bipartisan WORK ACT, which would provide $50 million over four years for the establishment and programming of state sponsored or contracted centers to encourage Employee Ownership, is being considered now by the U.S. Senate." Now is the time to email your senators. The Employee Ownership Action Network has a great resource guide with a free email template. Follow this link for more information.